A computer refers to a machine that is assembled using different physical
parts or components and programmed with different languages to carry out a
set of algorithms and arithmetic instructions. Currently, computers have
become part of the human need to help people perform many tasks easily. When
it comes to assembling a computer system, there are several parts of a
computer that we must connect to form a typical, present-day
computer.
This article discusses most of the parts of a computer along with their
images and functions. But, before discussing the parts of a computer, let us
briefly discuss what the parts of a computer mean:
What are the Parts of the Computer?
The physical components required to set up a computer system to function are
referred to as parts of the computer. These physical parts are commonly
called computer hardware.
Each part has an important role and helps to process/perform a specific task
when we operate the computer. For a computer system to operate, some basic
parts are required such as a mouse, keyboard, monitor, power cord, and
computer case as well as its internal components.
How many parts of computers are there?
A computer is made up of different parts, whether it is small or large. Some
parts can be easily recognized and physically touched. However, there are
many different parts that cannot be touched until the computer system is
completely disassembled. Based on the touch and viewing characteristics,
computer parts are generally divided into internal and external.
• Internal: Internal parts of computers refer to the built-in components and are
placed inside the computer case. For example:
Motherboard, CPU, RAM, PSU, etc.
• External: External parts of computers refer to components that are attached to the
computer by using one of the ports linked to the motherboard. For example:
Mouse, Keyboard, Speakers, Webcam, etc.
Note: Due to differences in the size of computer systems (or
desktops) and laptops, basic parts differ in both size and design. However,
many of the same parts are used in both these types of computers. A laptop
consists of the same parts as a computer; but, integrated into a single,
small, portable unit.
Computer Parts with Name and Image
Certainly, most computers have their own different size and design, and
different brands of hardware installed, but the parts used in them are
standard across all computers. The following are some examples of commonly
used parts of a computer:
Monitor
Monitor, also called visual display unit, is one of the essential parts of a
computer system. It's made of glass, circuitry, adjustment buttons, power
supplies, and more, all enclosed within a casing. The monitor is connected
to a computer so that we can display output like text, image, or video on
the screen. Despite this, the adjustment buttons help control brightness,
contrast, and other display settings.
Previously, computers had
CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)
displays/monitors, which were larger and heavier. Currently, newer monitors
are available with lighter weight and thinner sizes and are often referred
to as flat-panel displays. There are many types of monitors available in the market. However, LED
(light-emitting diode) and LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors are the
most common these days.
Keyboard
The keyboard is one of the primary input devices which helps us to interact
with the computer system. The keyboard's layout is similar to a traditional
typewriter with additional keys. When we press a key on the keyboard, a
small portion of data is given to the computer to tell which key was
pressed.
The computer receives input from the keyboard and uses it in various ways.
For example, we can enter a single character or a command or a set of
instructions into the computer for processing.
Although there are many types of keyboards, they all work in the same way.
Keyboards are generally classified as mechanical and membrane types. A
typical keyboard has a set of keys, including
alphabetical keys, character keys, function keys, number keys, arrow
keys, and control keys.
Mouse
The mouse is another input device and plays an important role as one of the
essential computer parts. It also helps us to communicate with the computer
system. Since it uses a 'point-and-click' approach, it is commonly referred to as a pointing device.
Mouse mainly enables us to move a pointer on the screen of the computer and
select/open the object using the mouse button. A typical mouse usually has
three buttons, such as the left, right, and middle roller buttons. However,
advanced mice (such as a gaming mouse) may have more than three buttons to
help perform specific tasks.
The mouse is generally classified as a
mechanical and
optical mouse. The optical mouse uses laser technology to track the movements of the
cursor, while the mechanical one uses a ball and roller. Optical mice
(plural form of the mouse) are more precise and give a smoother experience
while interacting with the computer.
Speakers
Speakers are one of the optional parts of the computer. They can be
connected to a computer to get audio output while watching movies, listening
to the audio, listening to game music or dialogue, etc. The speakers are
attached to the sound card and convert the sound card's recovered
electromagnetic waves into audible audio waves. These speakers also have
amplifiers that enable us to adjust the volume level of the sound
output.
Many monitors and laptop computers come with built-in speakers. However,
they can also be connected externally to a computer using a computer port
(such as an audio jack or
USB). By using external speakers, we can get enough loud sound output from the
computer.
Mic
The mic, or microphone, is another optional part of the computer. It allows
us to give voice input to the computer system. It comes in various shapes
and sizes. We can connect a mic to a computer when we need to insert audio
into our presentation, do voice conferencing, recording, broadcasting,
giving voice commands to the computer, etc.
The mics are designed to read sounds from the surroundings and convert this
sound (analog waves) into electrical signals. The signals are further
converted into digital forms to be stored on the computer. Some common mics
are dynamic mic, ribbon mic, condenser mic, etc.
Webcam
Webcam is another optional part of the computer system which is mainly used
to capture images and videos and send them in digital form to a computer.
Webcams are a little different from digital cameras because they can't work
on their own. They must be connected to the computer for proper
functioning.
Webcam helps us to make videos, do video conferencing, live broadcasting,
etc. Typically, webcams use the computer's storage to store the captured
data.
Computer Case
A computer case is a special box, usually made of metal or plastic, and
contains many of the computer's internal parts. Some such essential parts
include a motherboard, central processing unit, power supply, drives,
memory, and wiring. It comes in various shapes and sizes. In most cases, the
desktop case is tower-style, tall, and sits next to the monitor.
The front of the computer case usually provides access to the power on/off
button, CD/DVD drives, and some ports such as USB, audio jack, etc. On the
back, there are sockets for connecting a monitor, a power cord, and many
external peripherals. Not all computers use a computer case. All-in-one
computers and laptops come separately with all components enclosed in a thin
case.
Note: Most people refer to the computer case as the CPU; however, it
is not the CPU. The CPU is housed inside the case on the mainboard or
motherboard.
Motherboard
A motherboard is a printed circuit board that is assembled inside a computer
case. All basic and high-end chipsets are integrated on the motherboard. It
is one of the main parts of the computer system and is present in all types
of computers. It is also called the mainboard.
The motherboard is where all the electronic components and peripherals of a
computer system are connected in order to communicate together towards the
functioning of the computer. It consists of
CPU, RAM, ROM, sound card, video card, network card, ports for input,
output and storage devices, etc.
CPU
CPU, short for Central Processing Unit, is commonly referred to as the brain
of a computer. It is one of the main components of a computer system and
includes the
Control Unit (CU) and the
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU). It processes instructions and handles calculations and other logical
operations of the computer. In short, all the processes run by the computer
are taken care of by the CPU. CPU is also known as processor, central
processor, microprocessor, and chip.
Modern computers come with multi-core processors where there are multiple
CPUs in a single chip to accelerate the processing power of the computer. It
mainly helps in multitasking on the computer system. Intel and
AMD
are currently the two popular manufacturers of computer CPUs these
days.
GPU
A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a chip or electronic circuit used to
display high-quality images and graphics by performing rapid mathematical
calculations. Although the GPU helps in processing 2D data, it also
facilitates the rendering and decoding of 3D data such as animations or
videos. It is also called a
graphics card, video adapter, video card, and
display card.
Modern computers come with some amount of built-in or onboard video memory.
Additionally, dedicated or external graphics cards can also be installed on
supported computer systems. It is usually plugged into the PCI Express
(Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) slot on the motherboard.
The higher the memory of the graphics card, the higher the quality of the
visual effects on the computer's screen. However, the monitor should also be
of high-end specs or features. GPU is one of the basic requirements for a
computer when playing high-end games.
Fan
A fan is an internal part of a computer system that primarily helps to keep
the computer system or its components cool by circulating air. This
restricts overheating to prevent physical damage and extend the lifespan of
components. Normally, the fan speed is controlled by the computer
BIOS
based on the temperature of the component concerned.
There are several types of computer fans, depending on the component they
are cooling. It mainly includes a
case fan, CPU fan, GPU fan, and power supply fan.
Sound Card
Most computers have a sound chip installed on the motherboard to generate
the sound output. But to experience high-definition sound output, it is
always better to have a sound card. A sound card is an expansion card that
can be connected to a computer system using one of the ports such as
USB, the PCI slot, or the PCI Express x1 slot on the motherboard.
The sound card also requires the relevant drivers and software installed on
the respective computers to control the sound signals and produce
high-quality audio output through speakers, headphones, etc. Besides, the
sound card is not the mandatory part for the basic functioning of the
computer system.
Memory
Memory is one of the basic parts for the proper functioning of the computer
system. Memory units typically store data and instructions for core system
files and configuration. Memory is designed for fast access. Therefore, it
also participates in storing the currently running programs for faster
processing. The internal memory of a computer is mainly of two types, namely
RAM and ROM:
• RAM: RAM, short for Random Access Memory, is one of the basic computer parts
and serves as a computer's primary memory for temporarily storing current
data (or ongoing data). It has a fast read/write speed and can be accessed
quickly by the computer. It is a
volatile memory and the data
stored in it is lost when the power supply is cut off.
• ROM: ROM, short for Read-Only Memory, is a
non-volatile storage medium that
stores essential computer data such as firmware. The data stored in ROM can
only be read and is almost impossible to modify by the user. It keeps the
stored data even after the power is turned off. It gives read-access to the
computer's processor to write/load boot-up data and system files into
primary memory.
Storage
The term storage is generally used to denote the 'external memory' or
'secondary memory' of the computer. Storage devices are mainly used to store
long-term data. This means we can store data like images, videos, documents,
etc., on the storage devices. The data saved in these devices is kept until
we delete it. The operating system is also installed in one of these storage
devices such as HDD or SSD, making storage an essential part of the
computer.
• HDD: HDD, short for Hard Disk Drive, is a non-volatile storage device
manufactured using a disc or platter, head, motor, and other mechanical
components. All mechanical components are housed inside an air-sealed
casing. Data is written to the platters using magnetic heads that move over
the platters. The faster the platter spins, the faster the data is
read/written on the platters.
• SSD: SSD, short for Solid State Drive, is another non-volatile storage device
and is used in much the same way as an HDD. However, solid-state drives do
not contain any mechanical parts or moving parts. Instead, these storage
devices use interconnected flash-memory chips to store data. SSDs are
smaller, faster, and produce no noise.
Recommended:
Difference between SSD and HDD
Note: Although hard disks and solid-state drives are used as internal
parts of a computer to install operating systems and hold data files, they
can also be used as external devices. They can be connected using one of the
USB ports.
CD/DVD Drive
CD/DVD drives are also optional parts of computer systems. These drives are
attached to a computer to read images, videos, software, and other data from
CDs (compact discs) and
DVDs (digital versatile discs). These drives take advantage of laser technology to read/write data
on/from optical discs such as CDs and DVDs.
The DVD drive can read both CDs and DVDs. However, the CD drive cannot read
DVDs.
Earlier, these drives were very important for installing the operating
system, software, watching movies, etc. on the computer. However, at
present, they are not very important. Modern laptops these days do not come
with CD/DVD drives. The use of USB flash disks has prevented users from
using CD/DVD drives on computers.
Internal All-in-One Reader
The internal all-in-one reader or multifunctional reader is primarily used
as a replacement for the floppy drives previously used on computers. It
enables users to read or write data to different types of cards, or flash
memory. Some advanced readers also support several other ports, providing
access to multiple peripherals.
The use of these multifunctional readers is not commonly seen after most
computer manufacturers started integrating the necessary components directly
on the motherboard to support cards, or flash memory, etc.
Power Cords
Power cord refers to the primary cable used on a computer to deliver the
power supply. Typically, one side of the power cable is connected to the UPS
and the other side is plugged into the computer case which further connects
to the power supply unit (PSU). Many other wires are used to connect
monitors, printers, scanners, and other peripherals.
When working with a laptop (also called a laptop computer), the power cord
is commonly referred to as an AC adapter.
Power Supply Unit
A power supply unit (PSU) is an internal hardware component used in a
computer case, primarily on desktop systems. Despite its name, the power
supply unit usually does not supply power to a computer system but converts
the given power supply for the computer.
In particular, the power supply unit converts mains high voltage
alternating current (AC) into
low voltage
direct current (DC) power for
interconnected components of a computer system. Modern computers usually
come with
Switched Mode Power Supplies (SMPS).
UPS
UPS, short for Uninterruptible Power Supply, is a hardware device used as a
power backup for a computer. It consists of a battery inside a metal box
that enables users to keep the computer running for a short time after the
primary power source has been lost, such as an outage or a power surge.
The main advantage of using a UPS is that we can get enough time to save our
unsaved data and shut down the computer system appropriately. When computers
are not shut down properly, it can lead to loss of data and sometimes even
damage to the internal parts of the computer.
Note: There are many other parts of a computer; however, not all
parts are required for a computer to operate. Many computer parts are
optional and can be attached to the computer according to specific needs.
For example: Joystick, Projector, Headphones, GPS, etc.
Other Basic Peripherals
The printer and scanner are two basic peripherals that can be attached to a
computer system to increase its usefulness or meet specific needs.
Printer
A printer is an output device that can be connected to a computer system to
make a hard copy of any document, image, or information on paper. The
printer takes electronic data from the computer and creates an exact copy of
it in monochrome (black & white in this reference) or colors, depending
on the type of printer.
Printers are optional but an important part of a computer system. They come
as both wired and wireless. There are mainly two types of printers, namely
impact, and non-impact printers.
Read More:
Types of Printers
Scanner
As the name suggests, the scanner scans the given physical document or paper
and reads each character or image of the document using optical technology.
It then sends the scanned object to the computer's memory for further
manipulation. Its working is almost opposite to that of a printer.
A scanner is generally an input device that can be connected to a computer
system to convert any hard copy document into a digital file format like
JPEG, PNG, PDF, etc. There are many types of scanners, such as
photo scanners, drum scanners, flatbed scanners, handheld scanners,
etc.
Summary
This article discusses over 20 basic parts of a computer, including their
names, images, and functions. It will help us to identify the connected
parts of the computer system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which part of the computer is known as the computer brain?
CPU or Central Processing Unit is known as the brain of the computer as it processes all the calculations and arithmetic logical operations in the computer system.
What are the 5 basic parts of the computer system?
The five basic parts of a computer are the motherboard, central processing unit (CPU), input-output units, memory (RAM and ROM), and storage (SSD or HDD).
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