Computer Hardware Flashcards
Hardware
Physical components of a computer. Example: keyboards, monitors, mouse etc…
CPU aka Central Processing Unit
The brain of the computer. Does all the calculations and data processing.
Clock speed
The maximum number of a clock cycle a computer can handle in a certain time period.
Overclocking
The way to exceed the number of clock cycles on your CPU to perform more task.
RAM aka Random Access Memory
The computers short term memory.
Hard Drive
Long term memory. Holds all data including music, pictures and applications. Stores programs.
Motherboard
Holds everything in place so they can communicate with each other. The foundation of the computer.
Power supply
Converts electricity from the wall outlet to what the computer can use
EDB aka External Data Bus
A row of wires that interconnect the parts of a computer.
Registers
Stores data in a CPU
Cache
Let’s us store data that is often used. Has 3 levels. L1, L2 and L3.
Level 3 Cache
The largest but slowest CPU cache however it’s twice as fast as the RAM. The first cache to store data after it is transferred from the RAM.
Level 2 Cache
Holds less than L3 cache but it faster. Holds copy of the most recently access data that is not currently in use by the CPU.
Level 1 Cache
The fastest and smallest Cache. Holds data currently being used by the CPU.
