Everything You Need to Know About Computer Hardware

Computer hardware refers to the physical components that make up a computer system.

There are many different kinds of hardware that can be installed inside, and connected to the outside, of a computer.

Computer hardware may sometimes be seen abbreviated as computer hw.

List of Computer Hardware

Here are some common individual computer hardware components that you'll often find inside a modern computer. These parts are almost always found inside the computer case, so you won't see them unless you open the computer:

• Motherboard: The motherboard (also known as a logic board in other devices) coordinates all of the other hardware.
• Central Processing Unit (CPU): The CPU interprets and executes most of your computer's commands.
• Random Access Memory (RAM): RAM is the memory your computer uses to work; it's different from the storage that holds your files and programs. Your computer spends RAM to run those programs and process information.
• Power Supply Unit (PSU): The PSU is the means through which your computer draws power. It's usually a cord that plugs into the wall and a "power brick."
• Video card: This component handles drawing graphics in games and displaying videos.
• Hard Disk Drive (HDD): An HDD is an older version of the hard drive; it stores information like apps and documents on a physical disc that your computer reads with an arm that travels across it (similarly to a record player).
• Solid-State Drive (SSD): Newer SSDs store information on chips. They're faster, quieter, and more expensive than HDDs, though both do the same job.
• Optical disk drive (e.g., BD/DVD/CD drive): This feature is less common in newer computers, but they provide a place to enter a music, movie, or data disk for your computer to read.
• Card reader (SD/SDHC, CF, etc.): Your computer uses these to read from portable storage like SD cards.

Here is a list of hardware that you might find connected to the outside of a computer, although many tablets, laptops, and netbooks integrate some of these items into their housings:

• Monitor: This is a display device; it shows you what's on your computer.
• Keyboard: You use this to enter text into apps and programs.
• Mouse: The mouse lets you select items on your monitor.
• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): Otherwise known as a battery backup, this optional device lets your computer keep running even when you have an interruption to your main supply.
• Flash drive: A flash drive is a small temporary storage device that lets you move files from your computer and take them elsewhere.
• Printer: Printers create hard copies of documents and photos.
• Speakers: Your computer likely has internal speakers, but external ones can provide a better sound.
• External hard drive: An external hard drive is like a flash drive, but they're larger and have more storage capacity.
• Pen tablet: Tablets are good choices for artists and designers. You can "draw" on the screen, and the image will appear in an app.

Less common individual computer hardware devices, either because these pieces are now usually integrated into other devices or because they've been replaced with newer technology:

• Sound card: The sound card handles audio for your computer, processing and sending it to the speakers.
• Network Interface Card (NIC): NICs usually add an Ethernet port that you can use to connect your computer to the internet. They may also provide Wi-Fi access.
• Expansion card (FireWire, USB, etc.): These, like NICs, add functionality to your computer. You use them to add more ports to connect things like external hard drives.
• Hard drive controller card: Also known as a disk controller, this device communicates between internal storage and the CPU.
• Scanner: A scanner lets you digitize documents and images.
• Floppy disk drive: CD- and DVD-ROMs replaced floppy drives as ways to read software.

The following hardware is referred to as ​network hardware, and various pieces are often part of a home or business network:

• Digital modem (e.g., cable modem, DSL modem, etc.)
• Router: A router is an important part of a Wi-Fi network. It takes the wired connection from a modem and converts it into a wireless one.
• Network switch: A network switch also connects to the router and provides multiple Ethernet ports for additional wired connections (for example, to a game console).
• Access point: A wireless access point is similar to a router; it also transmits a wireless network signal, but it does so without a dedicated modem.
• Repeater: A repeater, like a wireless extender, expands the range of a Wi-Fi signal.
• Bridge: You may not have much personal use for a bridge, but in business settings, they link multiple physical networks to cover a wider area.
• Print server: Print servers manage jobs you've told to print. It's the software that goes between your computer and the printer.
• Firewall: Firewalls are security elements that stop unauthorized users from accessing your computer.

Network hardware isn't as clearly defined as some other types of computer hardware. For example, many home routers will often act as a combination router, switch, and firewall.

In addition to all the items listed above, there's more computer hardware called auxiliary hardware, of which a computer might have none, or several, of some kinds:

• Fan (CPU, GPU, Case, etc.): Fans move hot air from inside your computer case to stop components from overheating.
• Heat sink: Heat sinks also absorb heat, usually channeling it to a fan to be sent outside the computer.
• Data cable: These physically transmit information between, for example, a modem and a router.
• Power cable: This hardware transmits power, typically from a wall socket to a piece of hardware.
• CMOS battery: These batteries hold a very small amount of information that's necessary to run your computer.
• Daughterboard: A daughterboard works to expand the functionality of the motherboard; it also works with sound and graphics cards.

Some of the devices listed above are called peripheral devices. A peripheral device is a piece of hardware (whether internal or external) that isn't actually involved in the computer's main function. Examples include a monitor, video card, disc drive, and mouse.

Troubleshooting Faulty Computer Hardware

Computer hardware components individually heat up and cool down as they're used and then not used, meaning that eventually, every single one will fail. Some may even fail at the same time.

Fortunately, at least with desktop computers and some laptop and tablet computers, you can replace the non-working piece of hardware without having to replace or rebuild the computer from scratch.

Here are some resources you should check out before you go out and purchase a new hard drive, replacement RAM sticks, or anything else you think may be going bad:

Memory (RAM)

• Find free memory test programs.
• Learn how to replace the memory (RAM) in your computer.

Hard Drive

• Explore free hard drive testing programs.
• Find the best commercial hard drive repair software.
• Learn how to replace a hard drive.
• Learn what to do when your hard drive is making noise.

Computer Fan

• Learn how to fix a loud computer fan.
• Find out how to fix the CPU fan error.

Device Manager

In Microsoft Windows, hardware resources are managed by Device Manager. It's possible that a "faulty" piece of computer hardware is really just in need of a device driver installation or update, or for the device to be enabled in Device Manager.

Hardware devices won't work at all if the device is disabled, or may not be running properly if the wrong driver is installed.

Here are some device manager troubleshooting resources:

• Learn how to view a device's status in Windows.
• Learn to enable a device in Device Manager in Windows.
• Learn how to update drivers in windows.
• Learn several ways to find free driver downloads.
• Check out the best free driver updater tools.

If you decide that some hardware needs replacing or upgrading, find tech support information from the manufacturer, including warranty information (if it applies to you), or look for identical or upgraded parts that you can buy directly.

Hardware vs. Software

A computer system isn't complete unless there's also software, which is different than hardware. The software is data that's stored electronically, like an operating system or a video editing tool, which runs on the hardware.

Hardware gets its name due to the fact that it's strict when it comes to modifications, whereas software is more flexible (i.e., you can easily upgrade or change software).

Firmware is closely related to hardware and software, too. Firmware is used to tie the two together so that a software program knows how to interface with a piece of hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the four main types of computer hardware? The four primary categories of computer hardware include input devices, output devices, processing devices, and storage devices.
• How do you clean your computer hardware? Learn how to clean your PC to help extend its life and make it run more efficiently. Always unplug computers prior to cleaning, and only use recommended materials such as lint-free cloths, canned air, and carefully applied isopropyl alcohol.