Chapter 2 - Computer Hardware Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two components of the CPU?

A
  • arithmetic and logic unit carries out all of the arithmetic and logic calculations
  • control unit uses electrical signals to control the flow of data within the CPU
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2
Q

What is the function of the CPU?

A
  1. Fetch the instructions stored in memory
  2. Decode the instruction to find out what processing to do
  3. Execute the instruction
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3
Q

How do you increase the performance of a CPU?

A

Increase the clock speed, cache size and number of cores.

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4
Q

What is clock speed?

A

Number of cycles of the fetch execute cycle completed in one second, determined by an electronic clock chip, measure in Gigahertz GHz.

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5
Q

What is multiple processor core?

A

More than one CPU working together to process more data simultaneously.

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6
Q

What is hardware?

A

Physical components of a computer system, anything that can be seen or touched.

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7
Q

What is a disadvantage of a multiple processor core?

A

More complicated operating systems are needed to manage them.

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8
Q

What is RAM?

A

Random access memory which is volatile (data is lost when power is turned off)

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9
Q

What is ROM?

A

Read only memory which is non volatile

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10
Q

When can the computer access and change RAM + ROM

A

It can access RAM any time

It can never access ROM (programmed during manufacture

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11
Q

What does RAM + ROM store?

A

RAM: Programs and data being used by the computer
ROM: instructions and data required to start up the computer (boot sequence + boot loader)

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12
Q

What does RAM + ROM contain?

A

Ram: operating system
Rom: boot program

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13
Q

Is Ram + ROM large or small?

A

Ram: Large 4GB+
Rom: smal 1/2MB

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14
Q

What is the purpose of a CPU?

A

It carries out all the processing in a computer.

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15
Q

What is virtual memory?

A

It I part of the hard rice an is used as an extension to RAM.

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16
Q

What is cache memory?

A

Very expensive memory which has access times similar to CPU (fast)

17
Q

Why is there a need for cache memory?

A

The CPU cannot access main memory at the same speed as re processor clock chip - transferring data from main memory (RAM) to the CPU causes delays. Data that is in use is transferred to cache memory to make access to it faster.

18
Q

How does the CPU interact with cache memory?

A

CPU check cache to see if data needed is there a it requests data
If data is not in cache, CPU requests data from RAM
Data requested from main memory is copied to cache
Data is sent to CPU

19
Q

How does RAM affect the performance of a computer?

A

Adding RAM reduces the use of virtual memory and improves the performance of a computer.
This is because data is passed between RAM and virtual memory and access to virtual memory is slower.

20
Q

When is virtual memory used?

A

When the computer does not have enough RAM to hold all the data and programs required.

21
Q

Why is data represented in binary form in computers?

A

Because it is easy to tell the state of the switch on (0) or off (1).

22
Q

What is flash memory?

A

A type of ROM which can be rewritten, it is used as a portable medium for toeing and transferring data.

23
Q

Why is there a need for secondary storage?

A

Because secondary storage is non volatile and there is a need to store data and programs when the power is switched off.

24
Q

What are three examples of secondary storage and what are they?

A

Magnetic hard disk: store operating system, installed programs and data
Optical disk: excellent for transferring files or distributing software
Flash memory/solid state: consumes little power

25
Q

What 5 things should be considered when choosing secondary storage?

A

Capacity, speed, portability, durability and reliability

26
Q

Which is most expensive of all secondary storage?

A

Flash memory
Magnetic hard drive
Optical disk

27
Q

Why is there a need for input and output devices?

A

Computers process data we supply as inputs to provide us with required outputs, if a computer cannot accept inputs an provide outputs then it is of little value

28
Q

Examples of input devices?

A

Keyboard ( used for data entry)
Mouse (controls a pointer on the screen)
Touch screen (allows user to interact directly with icons to control the device)
Microphone
Camera
Bar code scanner (reads light which is reflected back to identify a product)

29
Q

Examples of output devices?

A

Monitor (displays text, image, video)
Printer ( produce shard copy on paper)
Speaker (produces sound)
Actuator (creates physical movements in response to computer commands)

30
Q

Example of input device for people with specific needs?

A

Eye-typed : camera tracks movement of user’s eye and detects which key user is looking at + slow blinks are used to select the key to type commands into the computer system
Braille keyboard: keys have embossed patterns
Puff suck switch: used by blowing or sucking uni a tube
Foot mouse : track ball device operated by the foot

31
Q

Which secondary storage has the larger capacity?

A

Magnetic hard drive
Optical disk
Flash memory