1.2 Computer Components Flashcards
What is a CPU
Central processing unit - the brain of the computer
What does the CPU do
Fetch, decode execute (FDE) cycles
What does the ALU do
Controls mathematical calculations inside the CPU
What does the control unit do inside a CPU?
Understands instructions, tells other components what is needed to complete the instruction
What does the clock do inside the CPU
controls the number of FDE cycles carried out
What do registers do in the CPU
store and manage different pieces of useful data
What Is a motherboard
Motherboards are electrical circuits that hold many other crucial computer components
What is cache memory
Memory stored close to the CPU that stores data that is frequently accessed. the bigger the cache the less time the processor has to wait for the instruction to be fetched
What is a hard drive
An electromechanical device that uses one or more rotating discs to store data.
Relies on magnetic storage
Slower access speeds that SSD
can be internal or external
Fragile
What is a solid state drive
A storage device with no moving parts that stores data electronically instead of magnetically.
More robust than hard drives.
Faster access speeds
Internal and external
Portable
Flash memory
What is a flash drive
Lightweight and micro portable method of storing data
What is cloud storage
Where the customer can control and manage their own data online.
It can be managed easily
Data available from anywhere
Don’t need to pay for extra external storage devices which can be expensive
what does SATA stand for
Serial advanced technology attachment
What is SATA used for
Desktops, data storage and backups. Cables are limited to one metre in length and data and power cables are seperate
What does SAS stand for
Serial attached SCSI
What does SAS do
Faster and more reliable SATA drives
Used for enterprise computers where high speeds and availability are critical
Lower storage capacity than SATA
10m cables
Power and data are supplied through the same cables
What does SCSI stand for
small computer system interface
What does SCSI do
stores data using a single cable and has its own unique controller.
Can work with different computer types however is difficult to configure as each device has its own unique identification
Fast
What does VGA do
Connects analog computer monitor to other monitors or televisions
What does DDR do
RAM - higher transfer rates and faster performance
What does PSU do
Power supply unit - converts 230v to a lower voltage
What does IDE do
Connects motherboard to storage device e.g. hard drive
What is a chip
A set of electronic circuits on a small flat piece of silicon
What is PCI
connection between PC’s peripheral components and the motherboard
What does USB stand for
Universal Serial Bus
What does USB do
Connects external devices.
USB compliant devices receive power from a USB port
Host based ( device must be connected to computer to communicate)
What does FireWire do
Used for devices working with higher levels of data e.g DVD and audio
More expensive than USB
2 FireWire devices can communicate without a computer
Powered or unpowered
Supports isochronous devices (continuous transfer of data at a steady rate)
Network - Ethernet port
Used to connect wired network hardware
Uses RJ-45 connector
What does Fibre channel do
Connecting computer services to a shared storage device
Faster that SCSI
flexible ( devices can be longer distances apart)
Offers point to point and switched loop interfaces
RAM - random access memory
Stored the applications and graphical user interface
Fast
Volatile - if the computer loses power data in RAM is lost
ROM - read only memory
Stores the start up instructions and the operating system of the computer
Cannot be changed by a programmer or user
Is it not volatile so retains memory when the computer is turned off
What is cache (high speed memory in the cpu)
Holds frequently requested data and instructions so that they are available when required
Speeds up access to data and instructions stored in RAM
internal cache - within processor
External cache - on the motherboard
interface card
Provides hardware connection that enables the device to be plugged into a network
Network card
Provides a computer with the full time connection to the internet
Modem card
Allows the computer to send or receive data through telephone / cable lines (ADSL)
Sound card
Allows computer to input, process and deliver sound
Video card (graphics card)
Generates a feed of output images to a display devices.
Discrete/dedicated graphics to emphasise their distinction to integrated graphics
