What term defines pieces of hardware that add functionality to a computer?

Physical components of a figurer

Calculator hardware includes the physical parts of a computer, such as the example,^[ane] central processing unit (CPU), random access retentiveness (RAM), monitor, mouse, keyboard, computer data storage, graphics menu, sound card, speakers and motherboard.^[2]

Past contrast, software is the gear up of instructions that can be stored and run by hardware. Hardware is so-termed considering it is "hard" or rigid with respect to changes, whereas software is "soft" because information technology is easy to change.

Hardware is typically directed by the software to execute any command or instruction. A combination of hardware and software forms a usable computing system, although other systems be with but hardware.

Von Neumann architecture [edit]

Von Neumann compages scheme

The template for all mod computers is the Von Neumann architecture, detailed in a 1945 paper by Hungarian mathematician John von Neumann. This describes a design compages for an electronic digital reckoner with subdivisions of a processing unit consisting of an arithmetic logic unit and processor registers, a command unit containing an teaching register and program counter, a memory to store both data and instructions, external mass storage, and input and output mechanisms.^[3] The meaning of the term has evolved to mean a stored-programme calculator in which an instruction fetch and a information operation cannot occur at the aforementioned time because they share a common bus. This is referred to every bit the Von Neumann bottleneck and oft limits the operation of the system.^[4]

Types of computer systems [edit]

Personal reckoner [edit]

Within a custom-built computer: power supply at the lesser has its ain cooling fan

The personal computer is one of the most common types of computer due to its versatility and relatively low price. Desktop personal computers have a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, and a figurer case. The reckoner case holds the motherboard, fixed or removable disk drives for data storage, the power supply, and may contain other peripheral devices such as modems or network interfaces. Some models of desktop computers integrated the monitor and keyboard into the same case as the processor and power supply. Separating the elements allows the user to arrange the components in a pleasing, comfy array, at the price of managing power and data cables between them.

Laptops are designed for portability but operate similarly to desktop PCs.^[ane] They may use lower-power or reduced size components, with lower performance than a similarly priced desktop computer.^[5] Laptops incorporate the keyboard, display, and processor in 1 case. The monitor in the folding upper encompass of the case can be closed for transportation, to protect the screen and keyboard. Instead of a mouse, laptops may have a touchpad or pointing stick.

Tablets are portable computer that uses a bear upon screen as the primary input device. Tablets mostly weigh less and are smaller than laptops.

Some tablets include fold-out keyboards, or offer connections to separate external keyboards. Some models of laptop computers accept a detachable keyboard, which allows the system to exist configured as a touch-screen tablet. They are sometimes chosen "2-in-1 detachable laptops" or "tablet-laptop hybrids".^[six]

Case [edit]

The reckoner case encloses about of the components of the system. Information technology provides mechanical support and protection for internal elements such as the motherboard, disk drives, and ability supplies, and controls and directs the flow of cooling air over internal components. The case is also part of the organisation to control electromagnetic interference radiated past the computer and protects internal parts from electrostatic belch. Large belfry cases provide infinite for multiple disk drives or other peripherals and usually stand on the floor, while desktop cases provide less expansion room. All-in-i style designs include a video display built into the same case. Portable and laptop computers require cases that provide bear on protection for the unit of measurement. Hobbyists may decorate the cases with colored lights, paint, or other features, in an activity called case modding.

Power supply [edit]

A power supply unit (PSU) converts alternating electric current (Ac) electric ability to low-voltage direct current (DC) power for the computer. Laptops can run on built-in rechargeable battery.^[7] The PSU typically uses a switched-mode power supply (SMPS), with power MOSFETs (power metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors) used in the converters and regulator circuits of the SMPS.^[eight]

Motherboard [edit]

The motherboard is the primary component of a reckoner. Information technology is a lath with integrated circuitry that connects the other parts of the computer including the CPU, the RAM, the disk drives (CD, DVD, difficult disk, or whatever others) also as whatsoever peripherals connected via the ports or the expansion slots. The integrated excursion (IC) fries in a computer typically contain billions of tiny metal–oxide–semiconductor field-issue transistors (MOSFETs).^[9]

Components directly fastened to or to part of the motherboard include:

• The CPU (cardinal processing unit of measurement), which performs most of the calculations which enable a computer to function, and is referred to every bit the encephalon of the computer. It takes program instructions from random-access retentivity (RAM), interprets and processes them and then sends dorsum results then that the relevant components can deport out the instructions. The CPU is a microprocessor, which is fabricated on a metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) integrated circuit (IC) chip. It is usually cooled by a heat sink and fan, or water-cooling organization. Almost newer CPU includes an on-die graphics processing unit (GPU). The clock speed of CPU governs how fast it executes instructions and is measured in GHz; typical values lie between 1 GHz and 5 GHz. Many modern computers have the pick to overclock the CPU which enhances functioning at the expense of greater thermal output and thus a demand for improved cooling.
• The chipset, which includes the due north bridge, mediates advice between the CPU and the other components of the arrangement, including primary memory; as well as south bridge, which is connected to the northward bridge, and supports auxiliary interfaces and buses; and, finally, a Super I/O scrap, connected through the south span, which supports the slowest and most legacy components like serial ports, hardware monitoring and fan control.
• Random-access memory (RAM), which stores the code and information that are being actively accessed past the CPU. For example, when a web browser is opened on the computer it takes upwards memory; this is stored in the RAM until the web browser is closed. Information technology is typically a type of dynamic RAM (DRAM), such as synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), where MOS memory fries store data on memory cells consisting of MOSFETs and MOS capacitors. RAM usually comes on dual in-line retentiveness modules (DIMMs) in the sizes of 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB, but can be much larger.
• Read-merely retentiveness (ROM), which stores the BIOS that runs when the estimator is powered on or otherwise begins execution, a process known equally Bootstrapping, or "booting" or "booting up". The ROM is typically a nonvolatile BIOS memory chip, which stores data on floating-gate MOSFET retentiveness cells.
  • The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) includes boot firmware and power management firmware. Newer motherboards use Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) instead of BIOS.
• Buses that connect the CPU to various internal components and to expand cards for graphics and sound.
• The CMOS (complementary MOS) bombardment, which powers the CMOS retentivity for date and time in the BIOS scrap. This bombardment is mostly a watch battery.
• The video card (besides known equally the graphics carte), which processes calculator graphics. More powerful graphics cards are meliorate suited to handle strenuous tasks, such as playing intensive video games or running computer graphics software. A video bill of fare contains a graphics processing unit (GPU) and video memory (typically a type of SDRAM), both made on MOS integrated circuit (MOS IC) chips.
• Power MOSFETs make upwardly the voltage regulator module (VRM), which controls how much voltage other hardware components receive.^[8]

Expansion cards [edit]

An expansion card in computing is a printed circuit board that tin be inserted into an expansion slot of a computer motherboard or backplane to add functionality to a calculator arrangement via the expansion bus. Expansion cards tin be used to obtain or aggrandize on features not offered by the motherboard.

Storage devices [edit]

A storage device is any computing hardware and digital media that is used for storing, porting and extracting data files and objects. It tin can agree and store data both temporarily and permanently and can be internal or external to a estimator, server or any similar computing device. Data storage is a core role and central component of computers.

Fixed media [edit]

Data is stored by a computer using a diversity of media. Hard deejay drives (HDDs) are plant in virtually all older computers, due to their high capacity and low cost, but solid-state drives (SSDs) are faster and more power efficient, although currently more expensive than hard drives in terms of dollar per gigabyte,^[x] and so are often found in personal computers built mail-2007.^[11] SSDs use flash memory, which stores data on MOS memory fries consisting of floating-gate MOSFET retentivity cells. Some systems may use a deejay array controller for greater performance or reliability.

Removable media [edit]

To transfer data between computers, an external flash retentivity device (such as a memory card or USB flash drive) or optical disc (such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or BD-ROM) may be used. Their usefulness depends on being readable by other systems; the majority of machines have an optical disk bulldoze (ODD), and virtually all take at least one Universal Serial Omnibus (USB) port. Additionally, USB sticks are typically pre-formatted with the FAT32 file organization, which is widely supported across operating systems.

Input and output peripherals [edit]

Input and output devices are typically housed externally to the master reckoner chassis. The following are either standard or very common to many calculator systems.

Input device [edit]

Input devices allow the user to enter information into the organisation, or command its operation. Nigh personal computers have a mouse and keyboard, but laptop systems typically employ a touchpad instead of a mouse. Other input devices include webcams, microphones, joysticks, and image scanners.

Output device [edit]

Output devices are designed effectually the senses of human beings. For example, monitors brandish text that tin can be read, speakers produce sound that can exist heard.^[12] Such devices also could include printers or a Braille embosser.

Mainframe computer [edit]

A mainframe computer is a much larger calculator that typically fills a room and may price many hundreds or thousands of times as much every bit a personal figurer. They are designed to perform big numbers of calculations for governments and large enterprises.

Departmental computing [edit]

In the 1960s and 1970s, more and more departments started to use cheaper and dedicated systems for specific purposes like process control and laboratory automation. A minicomputer, or colloquially mini, is a class of smaller computers that was developed in the mid-1960s^{[xiii] [14]} and sold for much less than mainframe^[15] and mid-size computers from IBM and its direct competitors.

Supercomputer [edit]

A supercomputer is superficially similar to a mainframe simply is instead intended for extremely demanding computational tasks. Every bit of November 2021^[update], the fastest supercomputer on the TOP500 supercomputer list is Fugaku, in Japan, with a LINPACK criterion score of 415 PFLOPS, superseding the 2nd fastest, Summit, in the United states of america, by effectually 294 PFLOPS.

The term supercomputer does not refer to a specific technology. Rather it indicates the fastest computations bachelor at whatsoever given time. In mid-2011, the fastest supercomputers boasted speeds exceeding one petaflop, or 1 quadrillion (10^15 or 1,000 trillion) floating-point operations per second. Supercomputers are fast simply extremely costly, so they are generally used past large organizations to execute computationally demanding tasks involving large data sets. Supercomputers typically run armed forces and scientific applications. Although costly, they are also being used for commercial applications where huge amounts of data must be analyzed. For example, large banks employ supercomputers to calculate the risks and returns of various investment strategies, and healthcare organizations employ them to analyze giant databases of patient data to decide optimal treatments for various diseases and problems incurring to the country.

Hardware upgrade [edit]

When using computer hardware, an upgrade means adding new or additional hardware to a estimator that improves its performance, increases its capacity, or adds new features. For example, a user could perform a hardware upgrade to supplant the hard drive with a faster one or a Solid State Drive (SSD) to become a heave in performance. The user may also install more Random Access Memory (RAM) and so the estimator can shop additional temporary data, or retrieve such information at a faster rate. The user may add a USB 3.0 expansion menu to fully utilise USB 3.0 devices, or could upgrade the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) for cleaner, more advanced graphics, or more monitors. Performing such hardware upgrades may be necessary for aged computers to encounter a new, or updated program'due south system requirements.

Sales [edit]

Global revenue from figurer hardware in 2016 reached 408 billion Euros.^[16]

Recycling [edit]

Because calculator parts comprise hazardous materials, there is a growing motion to recycle old and outdated parts.^[17] Computer hardware contain dangerous chemicals such every bit: atomic number 82, mercury, nickel, and cadmium. Co-ordinate to the EPA these e-wastes have a harmful effect on the environment unless they are disposed of properly. Making hardware requires energy, and recycling parts volition reduce air pollution, water pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions.^[eighteen] Disposing unauthorized calculator equipment is in fact illegal. Legislation makes it mandatory to recycle computers through the government approved facilities. Recycling a reckoner can be made easier by taking out certain reusable parts. For example, the RAM, DVD drive, the graphics card, hard drive or SSD, and other similar removable parts can exist reused.

Many materials used in computer hardware can be recovered by recycling for use in hereafter product. Reuse of tin, silicon, iron, aluminium, and a diverseness of plastics that are present in majority in computers or other electronics can reduce the costs of amalgam new systems. Components frequently comprise copper, gold, tantalum,^{[19] [xx]} silver, platinum, palladium, and lead as well as other valuable materials suitable for reclamation.^{[21] [22]}

Toxic calculator components [edit]

The key processing unit contains many toxic materials. It contains atomic number 82 and chromium in the metal plates. Resistors, semi-conductors, infrared detectors, stabilizers, cables, and wires contain cadmium. The circuit boards in a estimator contain mercury, and chromium.^[23] When these types of materials, and chemicals are disposed improperly will become chancy for the environment.

Environmental furnishings [edit]

According to the U.s.a. Environmental Protection Agency only around 15% of the e-waste matter actually is recycled. When due east-waste byproducts leach into groundwater, are burned, or get mishandled during recycling, it causes harm. Health problems associated with such toxins include dumb mental development, cancer, and impairment to the lungs, liver, and kidneys.^[24] That's why even wires have to be recycled. Different companies have different techniques to recycle a wire. The nearly popular one is the grinder that separates the copper wires from the plastic/rubber casing. When the processes are done at that place are 2 different piles left; one containing the copper pulverization, and the other containing plastic/rubber pieces.^[25] Computer monitors, mice, and keyboards all have a similar way of being recycled. For example, first, each of the parts are taken apart then all of the inner parts get separated and placed into its own bin.^[26]

Computer components contain many toxic substances, like dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), cadmium, chromium, radioactive isotopes and mercury. A typical reckoner monitor may contain more 6% atomic number 82 by weight, much of which is in the lead glass of the cathode ray tube (CRT). A typical 15 inch (38 cm) computer monitor may contain i.v pounds (1 kg) of lead^[27] but other monitors have been estimated to accept upward to viii pounds (four kg) of lead.^[28] Excursion boards incorporate considerable quantities of lead-can solders that are more likely to leach into groundwater or create air pollution due to incineration. In Us landfills, virtually xl% of the pb content levels are from e-waste.^[29] The processing (e.k. incineration and acrid treatments) required to reclaim these precious substances may release, generate, or synthesize toxic byproducts.

Recycling of computer hardware is considered environmentally friendly because it prevents chancy waste material, including heavy metals and carcinogens, from entering the atmosphere, landfill or waterways. While electronics consist a minor fraction of total waste generated, they are far more than dangerous. There is stringent legislation designed to enforce and encourage the sustainable disposal of appliances, the most notable being the Waste material Electric and Electronic Equipment Directive of the European union and the Us National Estimator Recycling Human activity.^[thirty]

Efforts for minimizing figurer hardware waste product [edit]

Equally computer hardware contain a wide number of metals inside, the U.s. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourages the collection and recycling of computer hardware. "E-cycling", the recycling of computer hardware, refers to the donation, reuse, shredding and general collection of used electronics. Generically, the term refers to the process of collecting, brokering, disassembling, repairing and recycling the components or metals contained in used or discarded electronic equipment, otherwise known every bit electronic waste product (east-waste material). "E-cyclable" items include, merely are not limited to: televisions, computers, microwave ovens, vacuum cleaners, telephones and cellular phones, stereos, and VCRs and DVDs just about annihilation that has a cord, light or takes some kind of battery.^[31]

Recycling a computer is fabricated easier by a few of the national services, such every bit Dell and Apple. Both companies will accept dorsum the reckoner of their make or whatsoever other make. Otherwise a reckoner can be donated to Computer Aid International which is an organization that recycles and refurbishes old computers for hospitals, schools, universities, etc.^[32]

See also [edit]

• Estimator architecture
• Electronic hardware
• Hardware for bogus intelligence
• Glossary of computer hardware terms
• History of computing hardware
• Microprocessor
• MOSFET
• Listing of figurer hardware manufacturers
• Open up-source computing hardware
• Open-source hardware
• Transistor

References [edit]

1. ^ ^{a b} PC hardware : a beginner's guide. Osborne/McGraw-Colina. 26 Apr 2001. pp. 21. ISBN9780072129908.
2. ^ "Parts of reckoner". Microsoft. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
3. ^ von Neumann, John (30 June 1945). Kickoff Draft of a Report on the EDVAC (PDF) (Report). University of Pennsylvania. Contract No. W-670-ORD-4926. Archived from the original (PDF) on nine August 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
4. ^ Markgraf, Joey D. (2007). "The Von Neumann clogging". Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
5. ^ "Desktop computer vs. Laptop computer". world wide web.computerhope.com. 30 December 2019. Retrieved fifteen Jan 2020.
6. ^ Cipriani, Jason (29 May 2020). "Best 2-in-i Detachable Laptops 2020: The Best Tablet-Laptop Hybrids". IGN . Retrieved xx July 2020.
7. ^ "How long should a laptop battery last?". Computer Hope. Archived from the original on 21 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
8. ^ ^{a b} Harding, Scharon (17 September 2019). "What Is a MOSFET? A Bones Definition". Tom's Hardware . Retrieved seven Nov 2019.
9. ^ "13 Sextillion & Counting: The Long & Winding Road to the Most Frequently Manufactured Man Artifact in History". Reckoner History Museum. 2 April 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
10. ^ Domingo, Joel. "SSD vs. HDD: What's the Departure?". PCMag. Archived from the original on 19 March 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
11. ^ Edwards, Benj (17 January 2012). "Evolution of the Solid-Country Drive". PCWorld. Archived from the original on 25 March 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
12. ^ PC hardware : a beginner's guide. Osborne/McGraw-Colina. 2001. pp. 20. ISBN9780072129908.
13. ^ Henderson, Rebecca Chiliad.; Newell, Richard G., eds. (2011). Accelerating free energy innovation : insights from multiple sectors. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 180. ISBN978-0226326832.
14. ^ Huang, Han-Manner (2014). The atme AVR microcontroller : MEGA and XMEGA in assembly and C. Australia ; Great britain: Delmar Cengage Learning. p. iv. ISBN978-1133607298.
15. ^ Estabrooks, Maurice (1995). Electronic engineering science, corporate strategy, and earth transformation . Westport, Conn.: Quorum Books. p. 53. ISBN0899309690.
16. ^ "Global revenue from reckoner hardware from 2005 to 2016". Statista . Retrieved 15 January 2020.
17. ^ "How to recycle your old calculator". Digital Trends. 18 December 2016. Archived from the original on 17 Apr 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
18. ^ Inc, Chris Keenan - Newtech Recycling. "Newtech Recycling Specializes in Computer Disposal, Laptop Disposal, Desktop Disposal Mainframe Disposal and Server Disposal". world wide web.newtechrecycling.com. Archived from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
19. ^ Robert-Tissot, Sarah (2011). "TANTALUM". Royal Australian Chemic instatute. Archived from the original on 26 February 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
20. ^ Padilla, Abraham (February 2019). "TANTALUM" (PDF). Usa geological survey . Retrieved 3 March 2019.
21. ^ Bleiwas, D (July 2001). "Obsolete Computers, "Aureate Mine," or High-Tech Trash? Resource Recovery from Recycling" (PDF). USGS . Retrieved 4 March 2019.
22. ^ LeBlanc, Rick. "Electronic Devices a Rich Source of Precious Metals for Recyclers". The Balance Small-scale Business concern . Retrieved 4 March 2019.
23. ^ "The Toxic Components of Computers and Monitors". Archived from the original on 27 April 2017. Retrieved 26 Apr 2017.
24. ^ "What'due south Going On with Electronic Waste? – Electronics TakeBack Coalition". Archived from the original on 27 April 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
25. ^ "Wire Recycling". All-Recycling-Facts.com. Archived from the original on x July 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
26. ^ "Figurer equipment recycling – Essential Guide". ComputerWeekly. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
27. ^ Morgan, Russell (21 Baronial 2006). "Tips and Tricks for Recycling Former Computers". SmartBiz. Archived from the original on 6 May 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2009.
28. ^ Royte, Elizabeth (1 August 2005). "E-gad! Americans discard more than than 100 million computers, cellphones and other electronic devices each twelvemonth. As "e-waste product" piles upwards, so does concern about this growing threat to the environment". Smithsonian Mag. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 17 March 2009.
29. ^ Toothman, Jessika (two June 2008). "What Happens to your Discarded Old Figurer?". HowStuffWorks.
30. ^ National Figurer Recycling Act of 2005, H.R. 425, 109th Cong. (2005–2006)
31. ^ T. Gallo, Daniel (15 July 2013). "Broad Overview of E-Waste product Management Policies in the U.Due south." (PDF). www.epa.gov . Retrieved 17 Jan 2020.
32. ^ Schofield, Jack (nineteen February 2015). "How tin can I safely recycle my old PCs?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 27 April 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2017.

External links [edit]

buttreydelp1970.blogspot.com

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_hardware

Share this post