Computer Hardware Flashcards
A complex integrated circuit consisting of millions of electronic parts and is primarily responsible for converting input (data) into meaningful output (information).
central processing unit (CPU)
Data travels in and out of the CPU through embedded wires called a
bus
a unit on the processor with the circuitry necessary to execute instructions
A processor core (the more cores the better and more expansive)
Processors with multiple cores are referred to
multi-core processors
stores this data next to the processor so that it can easily and quickly be retrieved
processor cache
manages the flow of instructions within the processor
control unit
responsible for performing arithmetic operations
arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
The four steps in the machine cycle include:
control unit (fetching, decoding,) (executing, and storing) arithmetical logic unit ALU (FDES)
is stored on one or more chips connected to the main circuit board of the computer and temporarily stores data needed by the operating system and apps you use.
Random access memory (RAM) or motherboard
does not lose its contents when power is removed
nonvaltile
Memory that loses its contents when power is removed is said to be
voletile
is permanently installed on your computer and is attached to the motherboard.
Read-only memory (ROM)
When you start an app on your computer, the app’s instructions are transferred from the hard drive to
RAM
tests all computer components for proper operation
power-on self-test (POST), and the BIOS perform it
tells your computer how to start
BIOS (ROM contains this chip)
provides the means of communication between the operating system and hardware devices
ROM
Computer manufacturers often update the instructions on the ROM chip, which are referred to as
firmware
The capability of an operating system to temporarily store data on a storage medium until it can be “swapped” into RAM
Virtual memory (swap file)
The amount of data and program instructions that can swap at a given time
A page
The technique of swapping items between memory and storage
Paging
When an operating system spends more of its time paging instead of executing apps, the whole system slows down and it is said to be
Thrashing
communicates instructions and commands to a computer.
input device
conveys information from the computer to the user
output device
Memory needs to be constantly recharged or contents will be erased
Dynamic RAM (DRAM) volatile DRMF
Memory can be recharged less frequently than DRAM, but can be more expensive than DRAM
Static RAM (SRAM) volatile
Memory uses magnetic charges to store contents, and can retain its contents in the absence of power
Magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM) nonvolatile
Fast type of memory that typically is less expensive than some other types of RAM, and can retain its contents in the absence of power
Flash memory, nonvolatile
if you want to completely back up the contents of your computer, you might store those contents on
external hard drive or in cloud storage
Businesses might back up their data using a
tape drive, which is a storage device that stores data on magnetic tapes
If you want to move several files from one computer to another, consider using a
USB flash drive
a number system that has two digits, 0 and 1
binary system
is the smallest unit of data a computer can process (each 0 or 1)
bit
When 8 bits are grouped together, they form a
byte
an 8-bit coding scheme, which means that 8 bits are used
ASCII
a 16-bit coding scheme and can support more than 65,000 symbols in many languages
Unicode
When using a computer, the most common storage medium is the
internal hard drive