Components are the building blocks of computer systems. Examples of components are CPUs, memory, motherboards, hard drives, network cards, and video cards. Buying components directly and assembling your own system can often be less expensive than buying a pre-built system directly from a computer manufacturer. Also, many components of an older system can be reused in an upgraded system, so you can save money by not repurchasing parts you already have. For example, although microprocessors tend to double in speed every 18-24 months making them become obsolete fairly quickly, hard drives can be reused from one computer system to the next if you don't need a lot of new space. The market for computer components is extremely competitive and there are many retails and wholesalers that sell computer components with razor-thin margins, allowing the consumer to get good bargains.

Related terms: Computer Hardware