CHAPTER 2 - SYSTEM UNIT Flashcards
1
Q
1 What is the difference between BYTES and BIT?
A
- BYTES: express storage capacity ~ measure data storage (KB,MG,GB,TB)
- BITS: measuring the data transfer rate of computer communication (Kbps,Mbps,Gbps)
2
Q
2 What is the CPU?
A
- Central Processing Unit
- Integrated circuit (IC) chip that processes electronic signals
- Also known as a microprocessor or processor
3
Q
3 What is the heat sink?
A
- It is cover CPU
- A heat-dissipating component that drains heat from the chip
4
Q
4 What is the instruction and instruction set?
A
- Instruction: An operation performed by the CPU and assigned a specific number
- Instruction set: The list of CPU instructions for the operations
5
Q
5 List the four steps of the machine cycle?
A
- Instruction Cycle
- Fetch: Retrieves program instructions
- Decode: Determines what the program is telling the computer to do
- Execution Cycle
- Execute: Performs the requested action
- Store: Stores the results to an internal register
6
Q
6 What does the terms 8/16/32/64 - bit CPU indicate?
A
- The maximum number of bits a CPU can handle at a time.
7
Q
7 What is the Data bus?
A
- Group of parallel wires that connect the CPU’s internal components
- Width measured in bits
- Maximum number of bits the CPU can process at once is called the word size. Determines which operating systems and software a CPU can run
8
Q
8 List the factors that affect the performance of a CPU?
A
- Number of existing transistors
- Data bus width and word size
- Clock speed
- Operations per microprocessor cycle
- Use of parallel processing
- Type of chip
9
Q
9 Describe the Chipset?
A
- Set of chips that supply the switching circuitry the CPU requires to move data throughout the computer
- The CPU and the input/output (I/O) bus linked through the chipset. Provides a means to communicate with input and output devices
10
Q
10 MEMORY ?
A
Chips on the motherboard or within the CPU that retain instructions and data
11
Q
11 Memory Footprint
A
Amount of RAM the operating system uses while it operates
12
Q
12 Virtual Memory
A
Section of the hard drive set aside to use when RAM gets full
13
Q
13 Cache Memory
A
- Small unit of ultrafast memory built into or near the processor
- Used to store frequently or recently access program instructions or data
- Faster than RAM
- More expensive than RAM
- Three levels of cache on a system:
+ Level 1 (L1) cache (primary cache)
+ Level 2 (L2) cache (secondary cache)
+ Level 3 (L3) cache - Found on some newer microprocessors
- Primarily used in servers and workstations
14
Q
14 Register
A
Store data when it must be temporarily stored in the CPU
