Chapter 3 Vocab Flashcards
Central processing unit (CPU)
Also called microprocessor, is a single silicon-based electronic chip that makes your computer compute.
Clock cycle
A single charge to the clock wire aka CLK
Bell on a real CPU
Clock wire
Clock speed
That maximum number of clock cycles a CPU can handle in a given period of time
System crystal
Determines the speed at which a CPU and the rest of the PC operate —- normally a quartz oscillator that sends out an electric pulse at a certain speed, millions of times per second
Memory
Devices that hold ones and zeros that the CPU accesses
Memory
Devices that hold ones and zeros that the CPU accesses
Bit
1 or 0
Byte
A row of 8 bits
Memory
Devices that in any way hold ones and zero that the CPU accesses
Random access memory RAM
Memory that can be accessed at random. That is, memory that you can write or read from without touching the preceding address. This term is often used to mean a computers main memory.
Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
Computers use this for the main system memory — this need constant electrical charge and a periodic refresh of the circuits
Address bus
For the CPU to communicate with MCC you need a set a wires called the address bus. By turning the address bus wires on and off in different patterns, the CPU tells the MCC which line of RAM it wants.
Address space
2 to whatever power or material you have. For example: if there’s 20 wires on an address bus then 2 to the 20th power would be the amount of combinations this item would have.
Advanced RISC Machine (ARM)
Architecture processors. ARM licenses its processors to many other companies such as Apple, Samsung etc. These companies in turn use fabrication companies like I make the physical processors.
