Hardware refers to the physical components that make up a computer system. These components can be broadly categorized into the following:
Central Processing Unit (CPU):
This is the "brain" of the computer and is responsible for processing instructions and performing calculations.
Random Access Memory (RAM):
RAM is the temporary storage space that the CPU uses to store data and instructions while the computer is running.
Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or Solid State Drive (SSD):
These are the primary storage devices that store the operating system, applications, and user data.
Motherboard:
The motherboard is the main circuit board that connects all the hardware components of the computer.
Power Supply Unit (PSU):
The PSU is responsible for converting AC power from the wall outlet into DC power that the computer components can use.
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU):
The GPU is responsible for processing and rendering graphics and video.
Input/output (I/O) devices:
These include devices such as the keyboard, mouse, monitor, and printer that allow the user to interact with the computer.
Network Interface Card (NIC):
The NIC allows the computer to connect to a network and access the internet.
Sound/Audio Card:
The sound card allows the computer to play and record audio.
These are just some examples of the hardware components that make up a computer system. There are many other components that can be added or upgraded to enhance the performance of the computer.