Computer Hardware

The physical components of a computer are called hardware. There are two types of computer hardware: internal and external. Internal components are the motherboard, fan, power supply, CPU, RAM, GPU and hard drive. External hardware consists of the mouse, speakers, keyboard, subwoofer, webcam, graphics tablet, joystick or any other external peripherals.

The motherboard, also known as the mainboard, holds all the circuitry and the computer's chipset.http://www.techterms.com/definition/motherboard It houses the CPU, ROM and RAM.http://www.techterms.com/definition/motherboard Everything else that runs in the computer is either connected to the board directly or one of its controllers.http://www.techterms.com/definition/motherboard One of the devices that connects to a controller is the hard drive. The HDD (hard drive) stores the installed programs, folders and files.http://www.techterms.com/definition/harddrive

The CPU (central processing unit) is the brain of the machine. It handles the processing of tasks.http://www.techterms.com/definition/cpu ROM (read-only memory) is memory that is fixed to the motherboard.http://www.techterms.com/definition/rom It contains specific instructions that are used when a user boots the computer.http://www.techterms.com/definition/rom The other form of memory is RAM (random access memory). When a user loads a piece of software, it moves from the hard drive to RAM because it is always faster than the hard drive.http://www.techterms.com/definition/ram With a greater amount of RAM in a system, it can run more programs at the same time at a faster rate. The GPU (graphics processing unit) is also known as the video card. It is responsible for processing graphics, 3D, animation and lighting.http://www.techterms.com/definition/gpu

The typical mouse has a left button, middle scroll wheel and a right button. The different buttons can be programmed to handle different input tasks. A different input device is the graphics tablet, which is primarily used by 2D and 3D designers. A tablet comes with a stylus that can be moved across the surface to make selections, push buttons, draw or sculpt 3D models. Keyboards are used to input text into software. The keys can also be used for shortcuts like ejecting a CD or saving a document.http://www.techterms.com/definition/keyboard

A webcam is a digital video device that allows a user to have a video conference with another user. Most models are also able to record video. Speakers are an output device that plays audio by converting electromagnetic waves into sound waves.http://www.techterms.com/definition/speakers A microphone lets a user record his voice, speak in voice chat or use voice-activated features in programs.

A monitor shows programs and allows a person to visually use the software.http://www.techterms.com/definition/monitor There are three types of monitors: LCD, touchscreen and CRT. LCD (liquid crystal display) is the most common monitor and consumes less space than a CRT variety.http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,646212,00.asp CRT displays use cathode ray tubes and are analog.http://bugclub.org/beginners/history/MonitorsHistory.html On a touchscreen monitor, a person can use his finger or a stylus, on the actual screen, to interact with a program.http://www.hp.com/united-states/campaigns/touchsmart/