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The Three Major Components of a Computer System
Updated on February 8, 2019
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Alfred Amuno more
Alfred is a long-time teacher and computer enthusiast who works with and troubleshoots a wide range of computing devices.
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The image illustrates the major components of a computer system
The image illustrates the major components of a computer system
There are three major components of a computer system:
hardware
software
humanware
Hardware and software exist together to make up the actual computer. The humanware component adds in the human factor in order to bring the whole computer into functional and productive existence.
Each of these components is necessary in order to enable meaningful productivity. If installed separately, each may be useful to an extent but incapable of achieving complete computing potential. Hardware and software need the human factor in order to make input and connectivity possible.
1. Computer Hardware
These are computer system components that can be touched by the human hand. Examples include:
Display monitor.
Keyboard.
Mouse.
Motherboard.
Memory modules.
Disk drive.
These parts are housed within the laptop or desktop system unit housing. For the desktop, however, the keyboard and mouse are attached externally.
A typical installation of computer hardware component
A typical installation of computer hardware component
The most important piece of hardware is the microprocessor chip. It is commonly known as the central processing unit (CPU).
New and slim laptop computers merge the traditional CPU and the graphics processing chip (GPU) into what is called accelerated processing unit (APU). These chips are usually attached to the motherboard in this slim laptops.
The CPU and APU are responsible for all arithmetic and graphics manipulation.
The AMD CPU is an example of a microprocessor and, as shown above, is attached to a motherboard.
The AMD CPU is an example of a microprocessor and, as shown above, is attached to a motherboard.
A component just as important is the disk drive. This is where computer data is stored. It is classified as secondary memory.
There are two popular types of disk drives to choose from.
Hard disk: This drive is mechanical by design and stores data on magnetic and metallic platters. Its data is read magnetically by read/write heads which make it reliant on an uninterrupted supply of power. A sudden power outage can lead to data loss or drive failure. It must be used properly for the sake of data integrity and long lifespan.
Solid state disk: This new type of disk drive stores data on flash memory chips and is less prone to erratic behavior. It is faster and reliable even in the event of sudden power outages.
An illustration of various hardware components inside the system unit.
An illustration of various hardware components inside the system unit.
Another vital part within a system is the motherboard. It provides communication and direct connectivity to devices throughout the computer.
Sample Acer motherboard.
Sample Acer motherboard.
Connectivity to a motherboard can be internal or external.
Internal devices that connect to the motherboard include:
Microprocessor (CPU).
Disk drive.
Random access memory (memory modules).
Power supply unit (PSU).
External peripherals that connect to the motherboard include:
Monitor.
Keyboard.
Mouse.
Printer.
Above is Apple's iMac computer, an example of a single unit computer set. It contains the system unit and monitor bundled together.
Above is Apple's iMac computer, an example of a single unit computer set. It contains the system unit and monitor bundled together.
Which one of the following is your preferred personal computer setup?
Traditional desktop computer set
Single unit desktop computer set
Laptop computer
Tablet computer
Phablet
Mobile phone
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Unlike the desktop and single unit computers, which have the mouse and keybaord as separate devices, the two are integrated within the laptop computer.
Unlike the desktop and single unit computers, which have the mouse and keybaord as separate devices, the two are integrated within the laptop computer.
2. Computer Software
The software component refers to the instructions, programs, data, and protocols which run on top of hardware. It is also retained temporarily and persistently in primary and secondary hardware media. The random access memory chip is an example of primary hardware while the hard disk drive is an example of secondary hardware.
An illustration of software componet running on a computer
An illustration of software componet running on a computer
Software can be divided into system, application, malicious and programming categories.
System Software
The system manages other software and devices inside the computer. The foremost example of system software is the operating system (OS).
In a typical setup, the operating system is like the motherboard for software. It is the first thing that is installed, followed by applications and other software. Three popular operating systems for traditional computers include Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
Popular mobile operating systems include Android OS, iPhone OS, Windows Phone OS, and Firefox OS.
What computer platform do you find easy to use?
Windows computers
Apple computers
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What operating system platform would you prefer to use MOST in future?
Windows
Mac
Linux
Windows and Mac
All
See results
Application Software
This is designed for end users to perform a specialized assignment in order to output useful information.
An example would be a word processing application used to compose letters or brochures, such as Microsoft Word.
Other popular examples include Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw, and AutoCAD.
A collection of application software is bundled in a package that is commonly known as a software suite. A typical suite includes software for word processing, presentation, graphic design, and spreadsheet.
Examples include Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, and iWork.
Software is written in computer languages such as Visual Basic, C, and Java.
The software component is stored on optical media, disk drives and cloud storage spaces
The software component is stored on optical media, disk drives and cloud storage spaces
Malicious Software
Malware, is short for malicious software, which is a generic term that refers to exploitative code designed by criminals and black hat hackers to maim normal operations of a computer. Malware attack will result in data loss and hacker access to private information.
Affected computers can also be converted into zombies and used in a bigger mission of criminal activities like launching denial of service attack and spreading spam.
Malware scripts are delivered to the computer as viruses, trojans, rootkits, keyloggers, worms, or through email and websites as adware, spyware, ransomware and scareware.
Programming Software
These are tools used by developers to create all kinds of software like Windows OS and Word processing. Also called languages, they are used to write source codes, debug errors, maintain and create new software for computers and write malicious scripts like viruses and trojans.
Popular examples of high-level languages are Java, Javascript, BASIC, PHP, Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual Basic, Python, Ruby, Perl, Java.
3. Humanware
The humanware component refers to the person that uses the computer. More specifically, it is about the individual that makes hardware and software components productive.
Typically, a great deal of testing is done on software packages and hardware parts to ensure they enhance the end-user experience to aid in creating documents, musical and video recordings, and all forms of raw and finished data.
A cute example of humanware.
A cute example of humanware.
The Analogy of Components of a Computer
In a nutshell, a working computer system can be compared to a functioning kitchen.
Food and cooking utensils are hardware.
The recipe is software.
The chef is humanware.
Even after purchasing the freshest ingredients and the finest pots and pans, there will not be a good meal without a chef. He/she will make good use of listed recipes to make good of the ingredients and utensils.
Both hardware and software are complemented by the works of a human to produce a fully functional computer system.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2012 Alfred Amuno
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Emmanuel oluwakemi
6 weeks ago
It's such an intelligent explanation. God bless
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Ashafa Aliyu
6 weeks ago
seriously am very happy for this wapsite.so that thanks.you
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MUSTAPHA
7 weeks ago
I Am enjoying your webside so, thank you Extremly much.
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waswaka emma
2 months ago
really you have given the way to go
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musa hussein
2 months ago
Thanks a lot
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Benjamin Botwe
2 months ago
you people have great gifts and talents to tut ..am giving you a 6star*
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Amah Blessed
3 months ago
I'm grateful. Thanks dearly!
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Moses
5 months ago
Have loved the descriptions and yeah it makes some one easy to perceive the content .
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sylvester
6 months ago
thanks for the notes
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ccccccc
6 months ago
ya its great
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Israel
6 months ago
Educating
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jeffry
6 months ago
its educational
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Temmy
7 months ago
Easy and straightforward. Good work
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Lovely beautiful work
7 months ago
I am impressed
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Emmanuel
7 months ago
that nicely
i love that's
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odunayo
7 months ago
great work
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Lawrental
7 months ago
Great! What a simplify way of teaching beginners.
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flynnsfreelance
7 months ago
Thank you for this info. teaching a beginners class - useful!
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Gold
7 months ago
Great
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Mickhael
8 months ago
Nice Excellent Job....Please i would like to know the main component of a personal computer system, pls I need an answer now
amuno profile imageAUTHOR
Alfred Amuno
8 months ago from Kampala
Thanks Cent and all that make their thoughts loud and clear. I am grateful the content herein is beneficial to the readers.
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Cent
8 months ago
Wonderful
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Kevins
8 months ago
Wonderful
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walter chirande
9 months ago
great
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joseph jackson makoye
10 months ago
oooh add more
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Asif Ali
10 months ago
helpfull data (very nice)
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MUZEHE GHANDI
10 months ago
HELPFUL THX TOO
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Shewin Bagnes
10 months ago
Very Helpful Thanks!
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Ayodele Abosede Imoleayo
11 months ago
I like it
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Jerome Jay Karwon
12 months ago
In discussing the basic parts of a computer, why do people include CPU, Power cable, CD ROM, etc. which are amazingly parts of the System Unit or Computer Case? I want to know...
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Cheward
12 months ago
Very helpful
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12 months ago
Very Helpful Thanks!
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Seth.
13 months ago
Helps a lot
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Farhan
13 months ago
Well questions
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Shu'aib Wa'alamu shika
13 months ago
Tnks u for ur assistant
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Ruth Anivai
13 months ago
These notes are really a big help to me.
Thank you.
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Fridah Chimupeni
13 months ago
Thank you so much for your information
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Maryam Bala Ningi
13 months ago
excellent job thanks for your assistance
I thank you and thank God
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Efetobore
13 months ago
loving
&
easy to learn
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shikor
13 months ago
it's helpful
amuno profile imageAUTHOR
Alfred Amuno
13 months ago from Kampala
Thank you all for appreciating
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Oluwatoyosi
13 months ago
love it
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sely
14 months ago
Very nice $ educative i waz illitrate bt now am literate
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bernadette mwongeli omc
14 months ago
a nice and educative forum
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Frank Mitchels
14 months ago
Wow great stuff, really interesting how computers work. I'm 57 and my 11 year old grandson has been teaching me how to use them, but when he's not there i rely on stuff on the 'web. Thanks again for your helpful page, good to see someone is informing us old fokes on this new tech.
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ronald ucu
14 months ago
good notes
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Prosper
15 months ago
Nice one
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Bhawana sharma
16 months ago
Knowledgeable
amuno profile imageAUTHOR
Alfred Amuno
16 months ago from Kampala
Thanks Abdul
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abdul malik
16 months ago
very nice notes on computer and also parts of computer.
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ivan geofrey
17 months ago
good notes ,the help me to understand types of disk
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Salia Sheriff
18 months ago
Thank you very much for allowing me to know the difference between SSD and HDD. You make my day easy.
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Alhassan Usman Buratai
18 months ago
Wow such a wonderful comprehensive, essential explanation on computer issues. Thanks you a lot for this excellent job...
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Sam Ru
18 months ago
this is quite intriguing..hope to learn a whole lot more!!
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sunday john
18 months ago
i was confused in some part of. component of computer but now am well understood. thanks to our potential analyst
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faeezah yunusa
18 months ago
What are the gains of computer to the society
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Maryam Ali
19 months ago
What Are The Example Of Human Ware
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Anonymous
19 months ago
Humanware Is Love
Humanware Is Life
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randy
20 months ago
This is loving
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Bryanna
20 months ago
I love this
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Emmanuel D.Sumo
20 months ago
Many thanks to our potential analyst
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dianne ocampo
20 months ago
great thanks a lot mwaa
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bien clarence
20 months ago
ilove sir jovi
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Hussaini Yahaya Abdullahi Bununu
20 months ago
we thank God about modern technology.
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muhidmah
20 months ago
thanks alot
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caleb
21 months ago
yaaaaaani i was stuck but am now confident enough to stand before my students to explain the three components of the computer clearly and preciously.
thanks mr Amuno
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jannah calim
2 years ago
thankshubpage
amuno profile imageAUTHOR
Alfred Amuno
3 years ago from Kampala
Good to know Maria
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Maria Hathaway
3 years ago
This article has really taught me a lot. I never understood this part of the computer, but now I do. Thank you very much.
amuno profile imageAUTHOR
Alfred Amuno
6 years ago from Kampala
Thanks Thranax. I believe little articles in Hubpages should go about passing info like this around.
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Andrew
6 years ago from Rep Boston MA
Nice little overview anyone can understand. It's a step in the right direction to teach the general population computers aren't scary and learning about them isn't difficult!
~thranax~