Basic Components

What are the Basic Components of a Computer System?

A computer system is composed of hardware and software components. Hardware means the tangible, individual parts that, when assembled together, work to process the software that makes the modern computer function as we know how it should. There are parts that a computer can do without, while there are also parts that simply cannot be missing.

The CPU is the brain and heart of the system. It is the command center where instructions are processed and then sent to the rest of the parts in order to perform the tasks issued by the user. Its basic parts are the motherboard, RAM and video card. The motherboard is a circuit board is where all the other computer components of the system, including the CPU itself, are connected to. The interaction of the rest of the hardware happens here. The RAM (Random Access Memory) is the memory capacity of the computer. It largely determines the kinds of applications workable by the computer, as well as its data storage capacity. The video card brings images into the monitor screen.

The monitor is where the user is given a visual output of the tasks. Through this the user can see his interaction with the computer system. Almost all task output is released through the monitor.

A keyboard is also important since this is the instrument through which the user inputs commands. A computer system will not be functional without it.

Besides the key hardware parts, the operating system or the software is the next most basic and important component. It allows the user to use the computer and have it perform tasks. Windows is the most widely used operating system in the world.

Both hardware and software are interdependent. The hardware cannot function properly without the software, just as the software is useless without the hardware to process it. This makes them the very basic components of a computer system.

Basic Computer Components