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Computing > Hardware > Flashcards

Hardware Flashcards

1
Q

What is hardware?

A

The tangible components of a computer system.

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2
Q

What is the CPU?

A

The Central Processing Unit.

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3
Q

What is the role of the CPU?

A

To execute calculations and process on the computer.

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4
Q

What are the two key components of the CPU?

A

CU and ALU.

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5
Q

What does CU stand for?

A

Control Unit.

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6
Q

What does ALU stand for?

A

Arithmetic Unit.

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7
Q

What is the job of the control unit?

A

To control the process of the computer. It turns transistors on and off using electrical signals.

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8
Q

What is the job of the arithmetic unit?

A

To carry out all of the logical and arithmetic operations including addition, subtraction and comparisons (greater than/ less than / equal.

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9
Q

What is the clock speed of a processer?

A

How fast the processor is. How many calculations it can carry out in a second.

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10
Q

What is the clock speed measured in?

A

Hertz (Hz).

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11
Q

What is the average speed of a modern CPU?

A

4.3 gHz.

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12
Q

How many calculations a second can a processor with a clock speed of 4.3gHz carry out?

A

4.3 billion.

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13
Q

What is a multi-core processor?

A

A processor with more than one core.

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14
Q

Why are multicore processors faster than single core processors?

A

They can carry out multiple processes simultaneously.

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15
Q

What is the job of the cache memory?

A

To store recent instructions in case they are needed later on. It makes the computer run faster as cache memory is fast.

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16
Q

What is the job of the RAM?

A

To store instructions for different actions that are being used currently or have been used recently.

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17
Q

What is meant by the term “RAM is volatile”?

A

Data will be stored in the RAM until the power is turned off.

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18
Q

RAM vs Cache.

A

Cache is faster.
They both store instructions.
Both are expensive.

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19
Q

What are buses?

A

Part of the computer architecture that transfers data and signals between the components of the computer.

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20
Q

What is USB?

A

A way data is transferred.

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21
Q

What does RAM stand for?

A

Random Access Memory.

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22
Q

What is faster, data transfer from secondary storage or RAM?

A

RAM.

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23
Q

What is Dynamic RAM?

A

RAM stored on a storage cell. Each cell has a capacitor and transistor. The memory on dynamic RAM is constantly refreshed. (Known as Traditional RAM).

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24
Q

What is Static RAM?

A

RAM with memory that stays as long as the power is supplied. Its faster than Dynamic RAM so is more expensive due to complexity of the design.

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25
Q

What does ROM stand for?

A

Read-only Memory.

26
Q

Why is ROM different to RAM?

A

Once data is written onto a ROM chip, it cannot be removed, only read.

27
Q

Is ROM volatile?

A

No. It’s non-volatile.

28
Q

What does the ROM usually store?

A

The boot sequence for the computer and bios.

29
Q

Who developed re-writable ROM?

A

Toshiba.

30
Q

How does EEPROM work?

A

By forcing electrons into a barrier until the data resets. This type of data is called Flash Memory.

31
Q

What does EEPROM stand for?

A

Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory.

32
Q

What is flash memory also used for?

A

Secondary storage.

33
Q

In terms of storage capacity, is flash memory cheap or expensive?

A

Expensive.

34
Q

Pros of flash memory.

A

Relatively portable.
Smaller than magnetic storage.
More robust than magnetic storage due to less moving parts.

35
Q

Cons of flash memory.

A

Expensive at high capacities.

Slower than RAM.

36
Q

What is secondary storage?

A

Non-volatile storage used to keep programs and files even hen the power is off.

37
Q

What are the three main types of secondary storage?

A

Flash Storage
Magnetic Storage
Optical Storage

38
Q

What is the most widely used secondary storage?

A

Magnetic storage.

39
Q

What is a magnetic hard disk?

A

A magnetised plate (or stack) with a head to read the data from the disk as they spin round.

40
Q

Pros of magnetic storage.

A

Reasonable reliable.

Low cost per size.

41
Q

Cons of magnetic storage.

A

Not portable.
Slower read and write speeds compared to SSD.
Not robust due to moving parts.

42
Q

What does optical storage use to read and write data?

A

Lasers.

43
Q

What is optical storage commonly used for?

A

Distributing files between locations and backing up of data.

44
Q

What does DVD stand for?

A

Digital Versatile Disk.

45
Q

What does CD stand for?

A

Compact disk.

46
Q

What is CD-ROM?

A

Read only.

47
Q

Pros of Optical storage.

A

Can be used as backup storage.
Portable.
Inexpensive.

48
Q

Cons of Optical storage.

A

Can be scratched/broken relatively easily.

Potentially easy to lose.

49
Q

What is virtual storage?

A

Storage that is accessed by the internet.

50
Q

Pros of virtual storage.

A

Not required tangibly so portable.
“Unlimited”
Cannot be stolen or lost.

51
Q

Cons of virtual storage.

A

MUST have internet connection.
Large storage amounts expensive.
Transfer speeds depend on connection speeds (some areas may have no internet access).
You are dependent on someone else’s security.

52
Q

What is virtual memory NOT?

A

Virtual Storage.

53
Q

What is virtual memory?

A

When the computer allocates a section of the hard drive space (secondary storage) to act temporarily as memory.

54
Q

Why is virtual memory used?

A

If a computer is running many programs or complex programs then the RAM may fill or be close to being filled, therefore the CPU allocates a section of secondary storage to be used as RAM to store the instructions for programs not currently being processed. This allows the RAM to be used for new or more current instructions.

55
Q

What is the issue of having full or nearly full RAM?

A

It can cause the computer to slow down or freeze.

56
Q

What is the issue of using virtual memory?

A

The transfer of instructions between the RAM and secondary storage is slow so can significantly affect the performance of the computer if there is a lot of data passing between the RAM and secondary storage.

57
Q

What are input devies?

A

Devices used to input data into a computer system for processing.

58
Q

What are output devices?

A

Devices that output data from the computer from the user.

59
Q

What input devices are available for disabled people?

A

Puff/suck switch.
Retinal Scanner.
Foot Mouse.

60
Q

What device allows a screen to be tilted?

A

Accelerometer.

61
Q

What are actuators?

A

Output devices that uses output from a computer system to produce movement (usually mechanical).

62
Q

How does the CPU process instructions?

A

It fetches the instruction, decodes it and then executes it.

Computing (5 decks)

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