HARDWARE Flashcards
inside the system unit a computer
power supply and fan sound card video card Processor heatsink and fan memory module battery circuit boards
For every instruction, a processor repeats a set of four basic operations, which comprise a machine cycle
Fetch the instruction from RAM
– (called a Register)
• Decode the instruction
• Execute the instruction
• Store the result back to RAM
• The Operating Systems works with the CPU to place the instruction on RAM then get the result back.
• How fast the 4 steps are executed decides the speed of the CPU
CPU speed
System clock, regulates CPU’s processing functions by emitting pulse at the regular intervals. Controls the timing of all computer operations
CPU speed
The pace of the system clock is called the clock speed, and is usually measured in gigahertz
CPU speed
Each tick of the system clock, the CPU does a step of the Machine Cycle
memory stores
Stores three basic categories of items:
The operating system and other programs
Applications
Data being processed and the resulting information
an hold an adapter card
Bluetooth, enables Bluetooth connectivity
MIDI, connects to musical instruments
Modem, connects to transmission media, such as cable TV lines or phone lines
Network, provides network connection such as Ethernet port
Sound, connects to speakers or microphone
USB, connect to high-speed USB ports
Video, provides enhance graphic capabilities such as accelerated processing or the ability to connect a second monitor
adapter cards and expansion slots
A storage device is the hardware that records and/or retrieves items to and from storage media
reading and writing
Characteristicsofaharddiskinclude:
tracks sectors platters form factor read/write head revolutions per minute
input devices
keyboard touchscreen scanners video input voice command
output devices
monitor
printers
data projectos
speakers
