Common Computing Devices Flashcards
1
Q
What is the difference between Workstation, Server, Laptop, Mobile Phones and Tablets?
A
- Workstations or desktops are computers used by network users do their work such as word processing, database design or other important personal and professional taks.
- Servers are computers or component in a network used to carry out a particular function such as providing resources for users such as files and other information or conducting host printing services.
- Laptops are similar to workstations but are smaller and more portable.
- Mobile phones are computing devices with their own unique operating system.
- Tablets fit between mobile phones and tablets.
2
Q
What is the internet of things? and provide a few examples.
A
- Is a way or concept of connecting every day devices to internet. Devices use wireless networking to make it easy to place them anywhere and connect to web browsers that coordinate activities.
- E.g: Thermostats, Fridges, IP-Cameras, Cars, Health-Devices such as Pacemakers.
3
Q
What is the Purpose of a CPU? What is Clockspeed? What is a Cache? What is a CPU Core? And an ARM Processor?
A
- Purpose of a CPU is process data into useful information and execute instructions from various hardware and software.
- Clockspeed is the speed of processing actitvities; how many instructions can be executed per second. Measured in GHz.
- Cache is a type of memory within a CPU that stores data or instructions that is frequently used; various types of CPU caches include L1 Cache (smallest and fastest), L2 Cache(Larger and slower than L1 Cache) and L3 Cache(Largest and slowest of caches).
- CPU core is a processing unit within a CPU; the more cores the more instructions a CPU can handle in unison.
- ARM processor is a CPU most commonly used in Mobile Devices.
4
Q
What is the purpose of a motherboard? What is northbridge and southbridge? LGA and PGA sockets? What is BIOS/UEFI and Where is it located? What are 3 different expansion card slots? What is CMOS and CMOS Battery?
A
- Motherboard is circuitry that connects multiple components of a computer together.
- Northbridge is a chipset that interconnects CPU, RAM and GPU together.
- Southbridge is a chipset that manages various input/output devices and functions such as USB Ports, SATA ports and the devices that are connected to them. And various other interfaces.
- LGA is a CPU socket where pins stick out from the CPU socket and connect the CPU to the socket; PGA is a CPU socket where pins stick out from the CPU to connect the CPU to the socket.
- BIOS/UEFI is firmware that is embedded into a motherboard (ROM Chip specifically) that loads the OS when a computer is powered on and initializes the hardware.
- PCI, AGP and PCIe(more modern and utilised).
- CMOS is a memory chip that keeps memory and CPU settings, Hard Drive configurations, Date and Time settings , BIOS settings and configurations, Boot Sequence and power management intact when a computer isn’t powered on; CMOS battery is a small battery that powers the CMOS chip when computer isn’t powered on.
5
Q
What is the purpose of RAM? What is the purpose of HDD and SSD?
A
- RAM is random access memory that stores data temporarily to be used by the CPU and erase the contents once the device is powered off.
- Data and information is stored permanently to a HDD or SSD.
6
Q
What is a NIC?
A
- Is a card that is able to provide wired and wireless network connection.
7
Q
What is GPU?
A
- Is a processing unit that is inserted into a PCIE slot that provides display visual output (complex graphics) to a monitor.
8
Q
What is a PSU?
A
Is a device the provides Direct Current to the computer and components within.
9
Q
What are two ways of achieving cooling in a computer?
A
- Aircooling where a front fan and a rear fan bring in cool air and expel hot air from the back.
- Water Cooling is where a water is circulated to various components from a waterblock to radiator. Better cooling is achieved.
