Terms & Conditions

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
• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Random Access Memory (RAM)
• Power Supply Unit (PSU)
• Video card
• Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
• Solid-State Drive (SSD)
• Optical disk drive (e.g., BD/DVD/CD drive)
• Card reader (SD/SDHC, CF, etc.)

Common 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
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
• Flash drive
• Printer
• Speakers
• External hard drive
• Pen tablet

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
• Network Interface Card (NIC)
• Expansion card (FireWire, USB, etc.)
• Hard drive controller card
• Analog modem
• Scanner
• Projector
• Floppy disk drive
• Joystick
• Webcam
• Microphone
• Tape drive
• Zip drive

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
• Network switch
• Access point
• Repeater
• Bridge
• Print server

·        Firewall

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.)
• Heat sink
• Data cable
• Power cable
• CMOS battery
• Daughterboard

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.