Computer Hardware

A personal computer is made up of computer hardware, multiple physical components onto which can be loaded into a multitude of software that perform the functions of the computer.

Typical PC hardware :
Motherboard:
The motherboard is the “body” of the computer, through which all other components interface. Components directly attached to the motherboard include:

* The central processing unit (CPU) performs most of the calculations which enable a computer to function, and is sometimes referred to as the “brain” of the computer. It is usually cooled by a heat sink and fan.
* The chipset mediates communication between the CPU and the other components of the system, including main memory.
* RAM is the system’s main memory or primary storage, and holds data and instructions for running applications and the operating system.
* The BIOS includes boot firmware and power management. The basic input and output tasks from which it gets its name are now handled by operating system drivers.
* Internal Buses connect the CPU to various internal components and to expansion cards for graphics and sound.

Current
* The northbridge memory controller, for RAM and PCI Express
*PCI Express, for graphics cards
* PCI, for other expansion cards
* SATA, for disk drives

Obsolete
* ATA (superseded by SATA)
* AGP (superseded by PCI Express)
* VLB VESA Local Bus (superseded by AGP)
* ISA (expansion card slot format obsolete in PCs, but still used in industrial computers)

External Bus Controllers support ports for external peripherals. These ports may be controlled directly by the southbridge I/O controller or based on expansion cards attached to the motherboard through the PCI bus.

* USB
* FireWire
* eSATA