Computer hardware

Computer hardware or hardware means the physical parts that make up a computer.

Some examples are:

• Central processing unit (CPU)
• Random-access memory (RAM)
• Power supply unit (PSU)
• Motherboard
• Graphics processing unit (GPU)
• Network card
• Peripheral equipment
  • Modem
  • USB flash drive
  • Hard drive
  • Computer monitor
  • Keyboard
  • Computer mouse

Hardware needs software to tell it what to do. Without software, the hardware cannot be used.

Computer Hardware Media

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  M7270 PDP-11 CPU board with LSI-11/2 chipset.*From the collection of the RCS/RI.

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  Von Neumann architecture scheme

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  Block diagram of a basic computer with uniprocessor CPU. Black lines indicate control flow, whereas red lines indicate data flow. Arrows indicate the direction of flow.

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  Growth in processor performance (as measured by benchmarks), 1978–2010

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  Basic hardware components of a personal computer, including a monitor, a motherboard, a CPU, a RAM, two expansion cards, a power supply, an optical disc drive, a hard disk drive, a keyboard and a mouse

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  Inside a custom-built computer: power supply at the bottom has its own cooling fan

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  An IBM System z9 mainframe

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  Image of computer motherboard model DellT3600