Computer Components Flashcards
What is CPU?
central processing unit
controls the interpretation and execution of instructions, decodes instructions and carries out the corresponding arithmetic, logic, or control operations
What is RAM?
random access memory
stores the short term data a pc requires to operate
What is SDRAM?
synchronous dynamic RAM
DDR (double data rate) (DDR2…)
faster version of RAM (used in gaming PC)
What is ROM?
read only memory
computer storage that contains non-volatile, permanent data that, normally, can only be read, not written to
What is BIOS?
basic input output system
the program a computer’s microprocessor uses to start the computer system after it is powered on, also manages data flow between the computer’s operating system (OS) and attached devices
What is PCI? What was it replaced with?
peripheral component interconnect, replaced with PCIe (peripheral component interconnect express)
connecting a computer to one or more peripheral devices
What is BUS?
the wires connecting the CPU and the other components
How does data flow between input devices, output devices, storage devices, communication devices, and the CPU?
data flows from the input devices to the CPU, data flows in both directions from storage devices and communications to the CPU, and then data flows from CPU to the output devices
Summarize Von Neumann architecture?
a computing model that is composed of a CPU, memory, and input/output devices
Are CPU replacable?
sometimes (usually desktops), often smoldered onto the motherboard
How is processing speed represented?
computation occurs in cycles, the unit is Hz which represents the number of cycles per second
How is storage space represented?
data is represented in bits, the base unit is a byte (8 bits)
How are larger magnitudes of processing speed and storage space represented?
combining them with metric or binary prefixes
ex. gigahertz, terabytes
How many bytes are in a kilobyte? What about a megabyte?
2^10 (1024 bytes)
2^20 (1048576 bytes)
What is the difference between a control bus and a data bus?
control: carries control signals from the processor to other components, also carries the clock’s pulses
data: carries the data between the processor and other components. The data bus is bidirectional
What is used to prolong cell lifespan of flash storage?
wear leveling (does this by spreading the storage of the cells equally)
Can hyper-threading make CUP do 1+ intructor in one core?
yes (executes more than one instruction at a time)
Is the CPU-RAM BUS normally narrower thatn PCIe BUS?
no its noramlly wider
Are solid state drive or hard disc drives more resistant to shock?
solid state
What is the control unit?
decodes instructions and activates the relavant components
What is the arithmetic logic unit?
instructions are applied to data, performs arithmatic, logical, and bit manipulation
What is the instruction register?
contains the instructions being executed
What is the program counter?
contains the location of the enxt instruction
What is CPU speed often called? Why?
clock speed, all operations are synced to a clock