Computer Components Flashcards
Desktop Motherboard
-Main circuit of your computer
CPU (desktop motherboard) - Central Processing Unit
- CPU- known as the brain of the computer
- Controls all the functions of the computer system
Peripherals (desktop motherboard)
- Any device, like a keyboard, hard drive, mouse, etc., that connects to the computer, either internally or externally.
CPU socket (desktop motherboard)
- single connector between a microprocessor and motherboard
PCl slots (desktop motherboard) - Peripheral Component Interconnect
- built-in slot on a device that allows for the attachment of various hardware components such as network cards, modems, sound cards, disk controllers and other peripherals
Memory slots (desktop motherboard)
- allows RAM (computer memory) to be inserted into the computer
- in other words stores data and instructions
Power inputs (desktop motherboard)
- where to turn the computer on and off
SATA ports (desktop motherboard)
- known as connectors, and they are used to connect hard drives to motherboards.
BIOS (desktop motherbaord)- Basic Input Output System
- computer’s basic input/output system
- manages the most basic instructions that allow your computer to boot into an operating system.
What is RAM
-Random Access Memory (outside the CPU)
Your computer’s ordinary memory (or RAM ) is volatile memory
- volatile is used to describe memory content that is lost when the power is interrupted or switched off.
ROM
- Read only memory
- not volatile, stays there permanently
SDRAM
- Synchronous Dynamic RAM (one part of the RAM)
What are some examples of secondary storage devices? (non-volatile)
- hard drive
- USB stick
- CD drive
- DVD drive
- SD card
What is a bus?
- A connection between component devices connected to a computer
What did Jon Von Neuman create?
- created a simplified computing model
- includes: CPU, memory, input/output devices , possibly second storage
Two units in the CPU
- Control unit
2. Arithmetic/logic
Control unit of CPU
-regulates and integrates the operations of the computer.
Arithmetic/Logical Unit
- performs basic mathematical calculations and logic operations
What is the processing speed of cpu measured in?
- Computation occurs in cycles
- Base unit: Hz = cycles per second
What is data represented in the CPU?
- Data is represented in “bits”
- Base unit: Byte = 8 bit
What is the cache memory in CPU?
- chip-based computer component that makes retrieving data from the computer’s memory more efficient
How does the CPU work in a 3 step process? (Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle)
- An instruction is fetched from memory.
- The instruction is decoded and the processor figures out what it’s being told to do.
- The instruction is executed and an operation is performed.
Register file of CPU
- temporary storage locations inside the CPU that hold data and addresses
Instruction Register of CPU
- holds instruction currently being executed or decoded
Program counter of CPU
- manages the memory address of the instruction to be executed next
Memory Address Register of CPU
- where to read/write data
Multiplexor
- either reading an instruction or moving data
What are registers of the CPU?
- store small amounts of data that are needed during processing, such as: the address of the next instruction to be executed. the current instruction being decoded. memory addresses to access
Examples of Registers
- Accumulator (ACC)
- Program Counter (PC)
- Instruction Register (IR)
What is main memory also known as?
- Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM or RAM)
What does main memory store?
- A collection of temporary storage
locations, each with a unique
physical address
What are two types of primary memory?
- RAM( volatile)
- ROM (non-volatile) -Read only memory
Where is the main memory?
- Outside of the CPU
What is a processing core?
- processing unit that reads instructions to perform specific actions.
What does each CPU core contain?
- Own set of CU, registers and ALU
CPU Other Features: Turbo Boost
- increasing the processing speed of one or more cores; typically requires disabling other cores to ensure continued stable operation
CPU Other Features: Hyper-threading
-processing two unrelated instructions simultaneously in the same core
What are graphics processing unit? (GPU)
- A processor specializing in rendering 3D graphics by performing repeated math operations on matrices and vectors
- do not require sophisticated computing cores
What is graphics processing unit (GPS) used for?
- video games
- medical imaging
Two types of bus
- CPU-RAM
2. PCl Express
What is the CPU Ram Bus?
- allows communication between the CPU and the RAM
What is the PCl Express bus?
- connects CPU to other components
Two types of Disk Based Storage (non-volatile)
- Hard disk drive (HDD)
2. DVDS, Blue-ray CD
Hard Drive Disk (HDD) (3 points)
- mechanical in nature
- Contains one or more spinning magnetic disks (platters)
- Fixed storage (media cannot be separated from the drive)
Blue-Ray, DVD, and CD
- optical in nature
- lasers are used to read the discs
- removable storage
SSDs: Solid State Discs
- resistant to physical shock
- lower data access time, higher data transfer rates, more expensive
HDDS: Hard Drive Discs
- sensitive to physical shock
- higher data access times, lower data transfer rates, less expensive
What type of state does flash-based storage use and is it volatile or not?
- solid state (no moving parts) memory chips
- non-volatile
What are two techniques for extending lifespan of cells?
- Provisioning: include extra capacity to use when cells start to fail
- Wear levelling: distribute wires so that all cells wear evenly
Three examples of flash based storage
- USB “thumb” drive, flash cards:
- Solid state storage drive (SSD)
- Solid state hybrid drive (SSHD)
What are two ways to produce image on screens?
LED: Light Emitting Diodes-provide backlight
LCD: Liquid Crystal Display- front
What are three Panel technology characteristics?
- Twisted Nematic (TN)
- In Plane Switching (IPS)
- OLED
What are two types of built-in display touch screens?
- Resistive
2. Capacitive
What are resistive touch screen?
- Composed of two transparent sheets, separated by a gap
Resistive Touch Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
- Pressure from any object will activate a touch event
- Low cost
Disadvantages:
- Vulnerable to scratches/damage
Capacitive Touch Screens
An electric field exists over the surface of
the screen and touching the screen interrupts this field
Advantages and Disadvantages of CapactiveTouch Screens
Advantage:
• More durable than resistive touch screens
• Able to detect multiple touch points
Disadvantage:
• Touch only activated with bare finger or
conductive material
