This document provides an overview of computer hardware components and how to build a PC. It defines hardware as the physical parts of a computer including the motherboard, CPU, RAM, graphics card, hard disk, DVD drive, power supply, case, keyboard, mouse and monitor. It then describes the functions of these core components and how they interconnect. The document concludes by outlining the step-by-step process for assembling these hardware parts into a fully functioning computer system, including installing the CPU and RAM into the motherboard, adding the graphics card, connecting power supplies, and setting up input/output devices.
What is Computer Hardware? Guide to Components & Building a PC
1. Page 1
• Includes all the electrical, mechanical,
and the electronic parts of a computer
• Parts we can touch and see
What is a Computer
Hardware?
2. Page 2
Hardware – Different Types
Most Important part of PC
Everything is connected
to motherboard
Printer, TV Card,
Mouse, Speaker,
etc.
Function – Interchange
Data & Information.
Function – To suppy
electrical power
Measured in ‘Watt’
Watt – 400W, 500 W
Volt – 220V, 240V
Function – To process
data
Input – Processing –
Output
Brain of the Computer
E.g. Pentium III, Core i5,
i5, i7 etc.
Motherboard Power Supply Unit (PSU) Central Processing Unit
(CPU)
3. Page 3
Hardware – Different Types
Function – To store data
temporarily
Data only exists until
power is supplied
Helps to measure the
speed of PC
E.g. SDRAM, DDR, etc.
Function – To display
information in the monitor
Displays pictures, texts
and videos
Fitted in AGP/PCI slot in
motherboard
Also used in Playing PC
Games
Function – To store data
and information
Helps to safely store user-
created data
Data isn’t lost even when
computer is switched off
Space (GB, TB) – Speed
(RPM)
Random Access Memory
(RAM)
Graphics Card Hard Disk
4. Page 4
Hardware – Different Types
CD/DVD Drive
Function – To display and see
information found in CDs or DVDs
Connected to the motherboard
Connected via IDE/SATA cable
6. Page 6
How to build your own PC?
Tools Required – 1 Screw Driver
Parts:
•CPU
•Motherboard
•Memory
•Graphics Card
•Sound Card
•Hard Disk
•DVD Drive
•Case
•Power Supply Unit
•Keyboard
•Mouse
•Monitor
7. Page 7
How to build your own PC?
• Install CPU into
motherboard
• Pull lever of CPU
Socket
• Put CPU & push
until you hear a
‘click’ sound
• Install RAM
• Spread side lever
of memory slot
• Install memory into
memory slot
• Install Graphics
Card
• Install Graphics
Card into
AGP/PCI slot
• Install CPU
Cooler
• Install by pushing
the cooler lever
• Connect fan
power pin into
‘CPU Fan’ socket
• Place the
motherboard in
casing
• Install mainboard
on preinstalled
screws
Step 1Step 1 Step 2Step 2 Step 3Step 3 Step 4Step 4 Step 5Step 5
8. Page 8
How to build your own PC?
• Install CD/DVD
drives
• Install Hard Disk
Drives
• Connect Main
Power Suppy
• Connect 12V
(small wire) and
main power (big
wire) from PSU to
motherboard
• Connect main
power suplly
cord along with
keyboard and
mouse
• Connect monitor
cord (blue) to
VGA port
• Connect the font
button (power,
reset)
• Connect LED
• Connect DVD/HD
to motherboard
along with other
wires
• Connect HD/DVD
drive to PSU
• Connect drives to
IDE connector in
motherboard
Step 6Step 6 Step 7Step 7 Step 8Step 8 Step 9Step 9 Step 10Step 10