The document discusses the main hardware components of a personal computer. It identifies the monitor, keyboard, mouse, system case, motherboard, RAM, processor, hard disk, floppy disk drive, CD/DVD-ROM drive, video/graphics card, sound card, and cable connectors as the key parts. It provides a brief description of the function of each component and considerations for selecting them.

1. Computer Hardware Parts of a PC Arianne Bolocon-I Charity

2. Computer Hardware Computer hardware refers to the physical and mechanical components of a computer system. It consists of devices such as circuit boards, chips, monitors, disks, disk drives, modems, keyboards, and printers.

3. It’s Parts Monitor Keyboard Mouse System Case Motherboard Main Memory/RAM Processor Hard Disk Floppy Disk Drive CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drive Video/Graphics Card Sound Card Cable Connectors and Other Peripherals

4. Monitor The monitor is the screen that displays what is going on in the computer. New models are typically “plug and play” compatible, which means the operating system of the computer can easily recognize them and make them work when they are plugged into the system. They do not need device drivers.

5. Keyboard The keyboard is the main input device for most computers. It is used to input textual information to the computer.

6. Mouse The mouse lets you feed instructions to the computer by simply pointing and clicking in a graphical environment.

7. System Case The system case is the box that houses the CPU. Normally, it has expansion slots, contains spare drive bays, and allows space to work inside for attachments to the system unit.

8. Motherboard The motherboard is the main circuit board in the computer. Practically, all the other parts of the computer have a direct or indirect connection to the motherboard. It must have enough expansion slots for memory and circuit boards. Most importantly, its chipset must support the kind of hardware you want with your system. A board should fit snugly inside a case and not be too big or small to be installed within the system case.

9. Main Memory/RAM The main memory/RAM allows computers to store and retain information. Memory boards are motherboard-dependent, which means you have to buy only those that your motherboard accepts. Operating systems like Windows XP and many software applications need plenty of memory. A minimum of 128 MB of RAM is always advisable.

10. Processor The processor is the brain of the computer that handles the flow of all data. This is what computer manufacturers usually advertise because speed is something that buyers can relate to.

11. Hard Disk The hard disk is a storage device that holds the operating system and the other programs and data files. It pays to buy those with manuals or jumper instructions already attached to the product itself. A drive that spins at least 7,200 revolutions per minute (RPM) is recommended.

12. Floppy Disk Drive The floppy disk with 1.44 MB disk drive is perhaps the slowest form of long-term secondary storage for the computer. Because of its small capacity, this has been phased out from many computer systems in favor of the more durable CD writer and DVD writer.

13. CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drive The CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drive reads CDs or DVDs.

14. Cable Connectors Computer parts cannot come together by themselves. Most require cable connectors in order to communicate with the motherboard and other components of the computer. But some are already accompanied with the motherboard or drives upon purchase. They have to be long enough to extend between the CPU and the prescribed location of the device.

15. Other Peripherals They are the optional devices that you can connect to your computer, like printers and removable storage devices.