Hardware (Cambridge International IGCSE ICT)

Spec point — 1.1.1

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 includes:

  • Random Access Memory (RAM) - fast, working memory
  • Read-Only Memory (ROM) - holds start-up instruction for the computer

• For full explanations, and comparisons, see the ‘Internal Memory’ page

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]

Final answer: Processor / CPU [1]

b. A printed circuit board that contains the main components of the computer [1]

Final answer: Motherboard [1]

c. This generates output for the speaker [1]

Final answer: Sound card [1]

d. A type of memory where data is lost when the computer is switched off [1]

Final answer: RAM / Random Access Memory [1]