View Hardware Components on Your Computer

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If you want to view a comprehensive listing of all of the various hardware components installed inside your computer, you need look no further than the Windows native "System Information" utility. This single utility will allow you to view information about every aspect of your computer, including both hardware and software, as well as detailed information about each and every one of your system resources. The steps work in window XP.

1). Click "Start."

2). Click "All Programs."

3). Click "Accessories."

4). Click "System Tools."

5). Click "System Information”. From the "System Information" window, click on "Components" to view a list of all of the hardware components inside your computer. These components will be separated into sub-categories.

Standard Computer Components

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A computer is made up of many components that must work together simultaneously to power the machine. Computer hardware varies in speed, performance and features and is usually aimed toward a specific type of user such as those who simply want to browse the web or more run more intensive applications. Having a basic understanding of standard computer components can be help when making buying decisions.

Computer Case

Computer cases hold all internal hardware components. Cases come in various sizes and colors. The size of your case will dictate which motherboard options you have. ATX (full size) cases support both ATX and micro-ATX motherboards. Micro-ATX cases are limited to micro-ATX motherboards. How many internal hard drives and disk drives you can install is also limited to the amount of hard drive and disk drive bays inside the case.

Motherboard

The motherboard is essentially the hub of the computer; it houses all of the chips and cards that power the machine. Because motherboards are designed to work for a specific kind of hardware, knowing what type of motherboard you're using and what is compatible with the motherboard is vital when building a new computer or making upgrade decisions.

Graphics Card

The graphics card, also referred to as the video card, renders the images displayed on your computer monitor. While most motherboards come with integrated video, graphics cards are faster and offer more features compatible with modern 3-D technology and disk-based technology such as Blu-ray. Although many factors are involved, interruptions in video playback and slowdown in 3-D applications is usually the result of integrated video that cannot keep up.

Hard Drive

The hard drive stores all content you save to your computer, along with the operating system. Hard drives come in internal or external variants, with external drives usually costing more because the setup is easier. Although hard drives vary in speed (measured by revolutions per minute or RPM), even the slowest drives are suitable for most applications.

Mouse & Keyboard

Probably the most recognizable peripherals, the mouse and keyboard are essential to any desktop computer. There are various keyboard designs and sizes available to suit office, gaming or web browsing use. The same is true for the mouse, with some having additional side buttons or extra buttons on the scroll wheel. Wireless mouse and keyboards are becoming more common as they have become more reliable as the technology has improved, resulting in increased battery life and fewer disconnections.

Computer CPU Components

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A computer's CPU (central processing unit) has many components. Over time, CPUs become faster; process more instructions; handle more complex functions, such as audio and video files; and use less power. Furthermore, the CPU has evolved to work with more hardware devices. The CPU works with memory chips, the hard drives, graphics, audio, network cards, and new input/output mechanisms.

Execution Core

One way of describing a processor is to determine how many execution cores are in the chip. Some advanced chips today have up to four execution cores. The instructions are not in one location, but spread over the eight cores for processing and execution.

Cache Memory

Cache memory, or buffer memory, is memory in the CPU that reduces waiting time for information stored in the RAM (Random Access Memory). Retrieving data from cache is faster than retrieving data from RAM. There are three kinds of Memory Cache. Level 1 Cache (L1) is integrated memory into the processor. Level 2 cache (L2) is in the case along with the CPU (in the chip). Level 3 cache (L3) is on the motherboard. The fastest is L1.

Processor Functional Units

The processor contains a group of inter-related control units. CPUs contain different units. They are the control or instruction unit, the execution unit, and the bus management units. A control unit takes the incoming data, decodes it, and then sends it over to the execution unit for processing. The control unit has a sequencer which synchronizes the instruction execution with the clock speed. The execution unit works on tasks assigned by the instruction unit. It contains the arithmetic and logic unit (ALU), which performs math and logic operations. The floating point unit (FPU) performs those math calculations which cannot be accomplished by the arithmetic and logic unit.