Computer hardware refers to the physical components that make up a computer system. Key components include the central processing unit (CPU), which acts as the brain of the computer, and the motherboard, which connects all components. The hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD) stores data, while the random access memory (RAM) temporarily holds data that the CPU needs to access quickly.
Other critical hardware components include the graphics processing unit (GPU), which handles visual tasks, and power supplies, which provide electricity to the system. Understanding these components is essential for anyone interested in building, repairing, or upgrading a computer system.