was typically provided in the form of a hard drive, but solid-state drives (SSD) are

becoming cheaper and are much faster, thus leading to their increasing adoption.
USB drives and network or cloud storage are also options.[58]

• Read-only memory (ROM) contains firmware such as the BIOS (Basic

Input/Output System), which initializes hardware during the boot process—
known as booting or bootstrapping—when the computer is powered on.[citation
needed] This firmware is stored in a non-volatile memory chip, traditionally ROM

or flash memory, allowing updates in modern systems via firmware update.[59]

• The BIOS manages essential functions including boot sequence and

power management through the ACPI standard. However, most modern
motherboards have transitioned to the Unified Extensible Firmware
Interface (UEFI), which offers enhanced capabilities, faster startup times,
support for GUID Partition Table (GPT), and secure boot features.

• The CMOS (complementary MOS) battery, which powers the CMOS memory for
date and time in the BIOS chip. This battery is generally a watch battery.

• Power MOSFETs make up the voltage regulator module (VRM), which controls
how much voltage other hardware components receive.[60]

Expansion cards

Main article: Expansion card

An expansion card in computing is a printed circuit board that can be inserted into an
expansion slot of a computer motherboard or backplane to add functionality to a
computer system via the expansion bus. Expansion cards can be used to obtain or
expand on features not offered by the motherboard.[61] Using expansion cards for a
video processor used to be common, but modern computers are more likely to instead
have a GPU integrated into the motherboard.[62]

Input/output

Main article: Peripheral

Most computers also have an external data bus to connect peripheral devices to the
motherboard. Most commonly, Universal Serial Bus (USB) is used.[63] Unlike the internal
bus, the external bus is connected using a bus controller that allows the peripheral
system to operate at a different speed from the CPU.[63] Input and output devices are
used to receive data from the external world or write data respectively. Common
examples include keyboards and mice (input) and displays and printers
 75. Toothman, Jessika (2 June 2008). "What Happens to your Discarded Old
Computer?". HowStuffWorks.

76. National Computer Recycling Act of 2005, H.R. 425, 109th Cong. (2005–
2006)

77. T. Gallo, Daniel (15 July 2013). "Broad Overview of E-Waste Management
Policies in the U.S." (PDF). [Link]. Retrieved 17 January 2020.

78. Schofield, Jack (19 February 2015). "How can I safely recycle my old
PCs?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 27
April 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2017.

Sources

• Blum, Edward K. (2011). Computer Science: The Hardware, Software and Heart of
It. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 978-1-4614-1168-0.

• Hennessy, John L.; Patterson, David A. (2011). Computer Architecture: A

Quantitative Approach. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-12-383872-8.

• Mendelson, Avi (2022). "The Architecture". In Anupam Chattopadhyay

(ed.). Handbook of Computer Architecture. Springer Nature. pp. 1–
42. doi:10.1007/978-981-15-6401-7_1-1. ISBN 978-981-15-6401-7.

• Wang, Shuangbao Paul (2021). Computer Architecture and Organization:

Updated April 24, 2025 in PC Builders

Understanding the parts of a personal computer is helpful when buying, upgrading, or

replacing different computer components. A simple definition of computer hardware is
“any physical parts or components that contribute to a computer system.” There are
several different kinds of hardware inside a PC. Both desktop and laptop PCs include
these types of hardware, though the size and type differ because of a laptop’s compact
design.

What is the difference between computer hardware and software?

Hardware refers to the physical, tangible elements of a computer system such as the
central processing unit, hard drives, and graphics cards.
These are the parts of your computer that you can see and touch. They are the
components that are fitted together inside your computer case.

Software encompasses the intangible programs and applications that run on these
hardware components, including operating systems like Windows and macOS,
productivity software like Microsoft Office, games, and web browsers like Google
Chrome.

Examples of computer hardware and software

Computer software components Computer hardware components

• Windows • Motherboard

• macOS • Central processing unit (CPU)

• Microsoft Office • Random access memory (RAM)

• Adobe Acrobat Reader • Storage drive (HDD or SSD)

• Security software • Graphics processing unit (GPU)

• Google Chrome • Keyboard, mouse, & monitor

A computer will only function when both hardware and software are working together,
with the system's speed largely determined by the hardware

When building or upgrading a new computer, you'll need to consider its specific
hardware requirements. Check your computer specs to see what hardware will be
compatible with your system.

What is a motherboard?
Your computer’s motherboard is the hub that connects all the other pieces of computer
hardware, acting as the brain to allocate and coordinate power across all other
components.

If you're building a PC or looking to upgrade, it's crucial you consider motherboard

compatibility, as this will dictate much of what you'll be able to do.

The motherboard determines which other hardware components can be used with your
computer, such as storage devices that come in a 2.5-inch SATA SSD or an M.2 NVMe
SSD form factor.

When looking at a new motherboard, it's also advisable to check the number of USB
ports and their grade (USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1). Similarly, it's best to check what display ports
are used (HDMI, DVI, RGB) and how many there are.

What is a central processing unit (CPU)?