Core Hardware and Peripherals in Computer Systems

Case (Chassis)

The enclosure that houses and protects internal components.

Motherboard

The main circuit board that connects and allows communication between all components.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The 'brain' of the computer that performs calculations and executes instructions.

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

Converts electricity from the outlet into usable power for the computer's components.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Short-term memory used by the CPU to store active data and instructions.

Storage Device

Long-term memory that stores data and software (e.g., HDD, SSD, NVMe drive).

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

Handles rendering of images, videos, and graphics.

Cooling System

Includes fans, heat sinks, and/or liquid cooling to prevent overheating.

Keyboard

Allows users to input text and commands.

Mouse/Trackpad

Controls the pointer for navigation and selection.

Microphone

Captures sound for input.

Scanner

Converts physical documents into digital format.

Webcam

Captures video for input.

Monitor

Displays visual output from the computer.

Speakers

Provide audio output.

Printer

Produces a hard copy of digital documents.

Headphones

Personal audio output device.

Ports

Physical interfaces (USB, HDMI, Ethernet) for connecting peripherals.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

Connects the computer to a network (wired or wireless).

Bluetooth Adapter

Enables short-range wireless communication with devices.

Expansion Cards

Add functionality (e.g., sound card, capture card, Wi-Fi card).

BIOS/UEFI

Firmware that initializes hardware during startup.

Operating System (OS)

Software that manages hardware and software resources (Windows, macOS, Linux).

Drivers

Software that allows the OS to communicate with hardware devices.