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Computer Science - Component 1 > Hardware > Flashcards

Hardware Flashcards

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1
Q

What is in the CPU?

A

ALU, internal memory, registers and controller.

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2
Q

What does the controller do in the CPU?

A

Sends and receives signals from all parts of the computer.

Ensures all processes take place at the right time in the correct order.

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3
Q

What does the ALU do in the CPU?

A

Processes and manipulates data.
Performs simple calculations on the data that is temporarily stored in the registers.
Able to perform comparisons on data.

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4
Q

What do the registers do in the CPU?

A

Fast access temporary data store.

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5
Q

What is the internal memory in the CPU?

A

Fast access memory on the CPU.

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6
Q

What does an address bus do?

A

Storage address of data always travels along an address bus.

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7
Q

What does a data bus do?

A

Data needed to be moved from several parts of a computer.

Path along which data travels.

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8
Q

What does a control bus do?

A

Controller uses control bus to send control signals to different parts of the computer.

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9
Q

3 Steps of the Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle.

A
  1. Takes address required from memory - stores it in the instruction register and moves the program counter on one so that it points at the next instruction.
  2. The control unit checks the instruction in the instruction register. Instruction is then decoded to determine the action that needs to be carried out.
  3. Actual actions that happen during the execution cycle depend on the instruction itself
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10
Q

What is cache memory?

A

Fast access type of memory.
Small amounts of cache are present in a computer system.
Improves performance of CPU as it is able to provide instructions and data to the the CPU at a much faster rate than other system memory.
The more you have the better the performance of the computer.

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11
Q

What is clock speed?

A

The speed at which a processor operates.
Faster it is, faster the computer is able to run the fetch-decode-execute cycle and therefore process more instructions.
Measured in Hz.

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12
Q

How does a single core computer process instructions?

A

One after the other.

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13
Q

How does a dual core computer process instructions?

A

Two instructions can be processed at the same time.
Should be able to process instructions twice as fast as a single core computer however sometimes it may need instruction 1 to process instruction 2.

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14
Q

What are Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC)?

A
  • Can process a limited number of relatively simple instructions.
  • To carry out more complex problems, it is broken down into a longer list of simpler instructions.
  • Able to process simpler instructions quickly.
  • Less power consumption and less heat being generated.
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15
Q

What are Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC)?

A
  • Can process a large number of complex instructions.
  • Allows it to understand and carry out complex tasks with only few instructions.
  • Able to process complex instructions without breaking them down.
  • More power consumption and more heat generated.
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16
Q

Examples and definition of an input device.

A
  • Allows data to be entered into a computer system.
  • Mouse
  • Keyboard
  • Microphone
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17
Q

Example and definition of an output device.

A
  • Created by a computer system.
  • Speakers
  • Projector
  • Monitor
  • Printer.
18
Q

What is Random Access Memory (RAM)?

A
  • Used for the temporary storage of currents running programs and data.
  • Consists of a large number of store locations each of which is identified by a unique address.
  • Data in each store location can be changed.
  • Volatile; data is lost when the power is switched off.
19
Q

What is Read Only Memory (ROM)?

A
  • Used for the permanent storage of data.
  • Data in each store location can’t be changed.
  • Permanent/Non-Volatile - data isn’t lost when power is switched off.
20
Q

What is BIOS?

A
  • Basic Input Output System.

- Low-level program that handles input and output operations relating to the keyboard and screen of the system.

21
Q

What is flash memory?

A
  • Used for permanent storage of data.
  • Data can be changed.
  • Non-Volatile - data isn’t lost when power is switched off.
22
Q

What is RAM cache memory?

A
  • Used for the temporary storage of frequently accessed data and instructions.
  • Consists of a small number of store locations that can be accessed very quickly by the CPU.
  • Volatile - data will be lost when computer is turned off.
23
Q

What is secondary storage?

A
  • Data written from memory to secondary storage when data is no longer being actively used - can be retrieved at a later time.
  • Longer for a computer to access data from secondary storage than from memory.
24
Q

What is data capacity?

A
  • Amount of data a storage device can hold (KB).
25
Q

Characteristics of a flash drive (USB).

A
  • Moving relatively small files from work to home.
  • 2GB - 64GB
  • Very durable, fast and portable.
26
Q

Characteristics of an external hard drive.

A
  • Backing up a home computer system.
  • 500MB - 4TB
  • Not very durable, quite fast and portable.
27
Q

Characteristics of a CD/DVD/Blu-ray disk.

A
  • Stores multimedia files.
  • 650MB = CD
  • 9GB = DVD
  • 50GB = Blu-ray disk.
  • Quite durable, portable but not very fast.
28
Q

Characteristics of a magnetic tape.

A
  • Backing large commercial servers on multiple tapes.
  • 200GB - 400GB
  • Not very durable, portable but slow.
29
Q

What is meant by optical storage in the cloud?

A
  • Uses lasers to read and write information o a disc.
  • Lasers projected onto a CD/DVD and if light is reflected back, then data is read as 1 and if light does not reflect back, data is read as 0.
30
Q

What is a binary digit (BIT)?

A

In computer systems data is read as 1 or 0.

31
Q

What is meant by magnetic storage in the cloud?

A
  • Used in hard disks and tapes.
  • Data is stored on a magnetic medium, by writing data using a write-head.
  • Data can be then read by read-head.
32
Q

What is meant by solid state storage in the cloud?

A
  • Used in storage media such as USB flash memory sticks. - Does not have any moving parts.
  • Increasing used to replace both magnetic and optical storage - especially in mobiles - where low consumption of power and high speed is advantageous.
33
Q

Why is storage in the cloud used?

A
  • Contemporary data storage facility that allows users to store their data on third party servers.
  • Can access data from many computing devices.
  • Advantages: maintenance tasks, backup and data replication.
  • Disadvantages: Internet connection is required to access the data, personal data held on a third party server could be physically stored in a country where adequate data protection legislation doesn’t exist.
34
Q

Byte Values.

A
  • Bit = 1 bit
  • Nybble = 4 bits
  • Byte = 8 bits = B
  • Kilobyte = 1024 bytes = KB
  • Megabyte = 1024KB = MB
  • Gigabyte = 1024MB = GB
  • Terabyte = 1024GB = TB
  • Petabyte = 1024TB = PB
  • Exabyte = 1024PB = EB
  • Zettabyte = 1024EB = ZB
  • Yottabyte = 1024ZB = YB
35
Q

What is a motherboard?

A
  • Main circuit board of a computer.
  • CPU and ROM will be mounted here, also provides RAM expansion slots, USB ports, PCI slots and controllers for devices such as the hard drive, DVD drive, keyboard and mouse.
36
Q

What is Graphics Processor Unit (GPU)?

A
  • Microprocessor that performs calculations needed to produce graphic images on screen.
  • Can be integrated within the circuitry of the motherboard, or provided on a dedicated graphics card.
37
Q

What is an integrated GPU?

A
  • Uses the computer’s RAM.
  • Cheaper than a dedicated GPU, generates less heat and less power.
  • Used for watching and editing videos and word processing.
38
Q

What is a dedicated GPU?

A
  • Own video memory.
  • Use more power and requires its own cooling system.
  • Provides best visual experience.
39
Q

What are sound cards?

A
  • May be on the motherboard or designed to fit a PCI slot.
  • Enable the computer to output sounds through speakers, to record sound from a microphone and to manipulate sound stored on a disk.
  • Convert analogue input signals into digital data and reverse the process for audio output.
40
Q

What is an embedded system?

A
  • Combination of software and hardware that persons a specific task rather than a general-purpose computer that is designed to carry out multiple tasks.
41
Q

Features of an embedded system.

A

Computing Platform
- CPU connects to bus controller 1 and 2, and the storage memory.
Input/Output front end
- Bus controller 1 in the computing platform connects to eh analogue input below is the analogue output, below is the digital input/output and below is the timer/controller.
- Bus controller 2 in the computing platform connects to the Human Machine Interface (HMI).

Computer Science - Component 1 (9 decks)

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