Hardware (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE ICT)
Revision Note
Hardware
What is hardware?
Hardware is the physical components of a computer system
Hardware can be divided into three categories:
Internal components
Internal memory
Hardware components
Internal components
Internal components include:
Central Processing Unit (CPU) - brain of the computer
Processors - electronic circuits that process information
Motherboard - connects all important components together allowing them to communicate
Internal memory
Internal memory include:
Random Access Memory (RAM) - fast, working memory
Read-Only Memory (ROM) - holds start-up instruction for the computer
Hardware components
Hardware components include:
Graphics card (GPU) - processes images and video
Sound card - processes audio
Network Interface Card (NIC) - provides wired connection to a network
Camera - captures images or video
Internal/external storage devices - stores data permanently e.g. hard drive, USB memory stick
Input devices - allow user input e.g. mouse & keyboard
Output devices - output results of processing e.g. monitor
Worked Example
A computer contains internal hardware.
Write down the most appropriate item of internal hardware to match the descriptions.
a. This handles all the system instructions [1]
Processor / CPU [1]
b. A printed circuit board that contains the main components of the computer [1]
Motherboard [1]
c. This generates output for the speaker [1]
Sound card [1]
d. A type of memory where data is lost when the computer is switched off [1]
RAM / Random Access Memory [1]
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