computers hardware

Though a pc comes in many different form factors, a typical personal computer consists of a case or chassis in a tower shape (desktop) and the following parts:

• Motherboard - It is the "body" or mainframe of the computer, through which all other components interface.
• Central processing unit (CPU) - Performs most of the calculations which enable a computer to function, sometimes referred to as the "backbone" or "brain" of the computer.
  • Computer fan - Used to lower the temperature of the computer; a fan is almost always attached to the CPU, and to the back of the case, also known as the 'muffin fan'.
• Firmware is system specific read only memory.
• Internal Buses - Connections to various internal components.
  • Current
    • PCI (being phased out for graphic cards but still used for other uses)
    • PCI Express (PCI-E)
    • USB
    • FireWire
    • HyperTransport
    • Intel QuickPath (expected in 2008)
  • Obsolete
    • AGP (Obsolete graphic card bus)
    • ISA (obsolete in PCs, but still used in industrial computers)
    • VLB VESA Local Bus (outdated)
• External Bus Controllers - used to connect to external peripherals, such as printers and input devices. These ports may also be based upon expansion cards, attached to the internal