The term pc hardware refers to external and internal computer devices that provide major functions like input and output, storage and communication. These include keyboards and mice for user input, monitors for visual output, and memory for data storage.
RAM operates in synchronization with the CPU clock cycle, ensuring rapid processing of data. Today, RAM may be an expansion card plugged into a PCIe slot, or built-in to the processor.
Motherboard
The motherboard connects all the functional parts of a computer. This includes the central processor unit, RAM, storage devices and other components. It handles all the information transfer and power distribution among these parts, ensuring smooth operations.
It contains a BIOS or UEFI chip that kicks off the hardware during the boot process and offers you a dashboard where you can adjust system settings. It also has a CMOS battery that powers up the BIOS/UEFI chip even after you switch off the power, keeping your system settings and clock time intact.
Motherboards have various expansion slots that let you install graphics cards, sound cards and network adapters to customize your computer to fit how you use it. They also have connectors for power, SATA and M.2 interfaces for connecting storage devices, and a cooling fan for eliminating heat generated by the components connected to the motherboard.
Processor
The processor is the brain of your computer and tells the other components like the GPU, disk drives and screen what to do. Processors can range from entry-level for basic tasks to high-end for demanding work such as video editing and 3D rendering.
The CPU performs four major functions: fetch, decode, execute and write back. The Fetch function receives instructions from program memory or system RAM and decodes them into commands that are sent to other circuits. The arithmetic logic unit (ALU) carries out basic arithmetic and logical operations. Registers supply operands and store results of the ALU’s operation. Cache memories are small, fast memory units that hold copies of data that is frequently accessed.
Selecting the right processor starts with determining your use case. Then, compare key specifications such as core and thread count, clock speed, power consumption and thermal output.
Graphics Card
The graphics card converts data from the CPU into electronic signals that your monitor can display. It is a crucial component for computers used for gaming, video editing and graphic design. The speed at which it can render images depends on the number of pixels, triangles or vertices per second it can process. It also depends on the motherboard’s ability to deliver data quickly and the CPU’s capacity for multitasking.
Integrated graphics cards are built into the motherboard, while discrete graphics cards are add-in components you can fit into one of the expansion slots. The latter are preferred by serious gamers and heavy users of image and video processing tools, because they have dedicated hardware to handle these tasks faster than the CPU can.
Sound Card
Sound cards are integral to most computer setups, especially those used for PC gaming or content creation. They can improve audio quality and provide advanced signal processing capabilities to help create a truly immersive experience.
A sound card uses a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) to take the train of bits that represents the sounds and convert them into an electric current which can be sent to speakers. Some also have signal processing functionality, such as an equalizer.
Dedicated sound cards were once an essential part of most computers, but these days it’s common for manufacturers to incorporate basic functionality into the motherboard. This method also lessens the load on the CPU, which is typically slower than the sound hardware. Dedicated sound cards still have their place, though, particularly for advanced systems with multiple inputs and outputs.
Network Card
A network card—also known as a Network Interface Card or NIC—helps your PC, laptop, or server communicate with other devices in your office and home. These expansion cards can be plugged into a spare computer port and support specific network media and networks like Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Each NIC has a unique hardware address called the MAC address that differentiates it from other NICs.
Most modern computers have a built-in NIC that can connect to the Internet via an Ethernet cable. However, you can also buy external NIC cards with higher data transmission speeds like 10Gb and 25Gb for use in large servers and enterprise environments. A network card also manages network traffic to prevent overloading and improve overall performance. It’s an essential piece of computer hardware for business and IT needs.