Components and Peripherals Flashcards
What is RAM?
Random Access Memory, volatile but fast memory that is used to store data for active programs
Why do computers contain both RAM and ROM?
RAM is used for active programs, while ROM stores data while the computer is off
Why do computers have a more small cache memory than main memory?
Cache is much faster, but there is a limited amount of space on the CPU die to put cache
What is the most common storage type in the modern day?
Flash (Solid State) storage
What is the most reliable storage medium?
Flash as it has no moving parts
Describe principles a RAID array
Multiple drives run at the same time, spreading data across drives and using one or more for error checking through a system called parity
Why is it useful the optical storage media can only be written to once?
It allows companies to distribute read only copies of media like audio or video
Input devices
keyboard, mouse, microphone, camera, sensors
Output devices
printer, haptics, speakers, monitor
Hybrid devices
touch screen, VR headset, graphics tablets
Which internal device needs the highest data transfer rate?
Graphics card, as the processing needs to do it on large texture files and models require these to be rapidly transferred
What’s the difference between regular and ECC memory?
ECC has an integrated error checking, which means the data stored is more reliable
What can graphic cards be used for?
Cryptography, AI, Physics
Why are graphic cards separate and not connected to the motherboard?
Makes it upgradable allowing machines to be more easily customised
What are the benefits on SSD having its own cache?
Allows the drive to continue its current operations to work more efficiently and to pre-load data it expects to be read
