Computer hardware is the physical part of a computer, including the digital circuitry, as distinguished from the computer software that executes within the hardware. The hardware of a computer is infrequently changed, in comparison with software and data, which are "soft" in the sense that they are readily created, modified or erased on the computer. Firmware is a special type of software that rarely, if ever, needs to be changed and so is stored on hardware devices such as read-only memory (ROM) where it is not readily changed (and is therefore "firm" rather than just "soft").

Most computer hardware is not seen by normal users. It is in embedded systems in automobiles, microwave ovens, electrocardiograph machines, compact disc players, and other devices. Personal computers, the computer hardware familiar to most people, form only a small minority of computers (about 0.2% of all new computers produced in 2003) Market statistics.

Personal computer hardware

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A typical personal computer consists of a case or chassis in desktop or tower shape and the following parts:

• Motherboard or system board with slots for expansion cards and holding parts including:
  • Central processing unit (CPU)
  • Random Access Memory (RAM) - for program execution and short term data storage, so the computer doesn't have to take the time to access the hard drive to find something. More RAM can contribute to a faster PC. RAM is normally removable by being in slots on the motherboard.
  • Basic Input-Output System (BIOS) or Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) in newer computers
  • Buses :
    • PCI bus
    • PCI-E or AGP bus
    • ISA bus (outdated)
    • EISA bus (outdated)
    • USB
• Power supply - a case that holds a transformer, voltage control and fan
• Storage controllers of IDE, SATA, SCSI or other type, that control hard disk, floppy disk, CD-ROM and other drives; the controllers sit directly on the motherboard (on-board) or on expansion cards
• Video display controller that produces the output for the computer display
• Computer bus controllers (parallel, serial, USB, FireWire) to connect the computer to external peripheral devices such as printers or scanners
• Some type of a removable media writer:
  • CD - the most common type of removable media, cheap but fragile.
    • CD-ROM Drive
    • CD Writer
  • DVD
    • DVD-ROM Drive
    • DVD Writer
    • DVD-RAM Drive
  • Floppy disk
  • Zip drive
  • USB Flash Drive
  • Tape drive - mainly for backup and long-term storage
• Internal storage - keeps data inside the computer for later use.
  • Hard disk - for medium-term storage of data.
  • Disk array controller
• Sound card - translates signals from the system board into analog voltage levels, and has terminals to plug in speakers.
• Networking - to connect the computer to the Internet and/or other computers
  • Modem - for dial-up connections
  • Network card - for DSL/Cable internet, and/or connecting to other computers.
• Other peripherals

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