IT Vocab 1

Question 1

A device that can be connected to a computer or network that scans paper documents and converts them into digital files

Answer 1

Scanner

Question 2

A connector, identified by its blue color and three rows of pins, that is used to connect older monitors to a computer

Answer 2

Video Graphics Array (VGA) connector

Question 3

Heat sinks and fans that keep computer components, especially the CPU, from overheating

Answer 3

Cooling system

Question 4

The most important pat of any modern computer system that controls the other parts of the computer

Answer 4

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Question 5

A large, flat computer component that connects the important components of the computer, such as the CPU, RAM, and the BIOS chip. It also has power and other communications connections

Answer 5

Motherboard

Question 6

A three step cycle (fetch, decode, and, execute) that processors use to execute instructions

Answer 6

The Fetch-Execute cycle

Question 7

A unit that supplies electricity to the motherboard and other computer components

Answer 7

Power Supply

Question 8

A family of processors manufactured by Intel and AMD that use a common instruction set, or list of commands, that the processor can execute

Answer 8

x86 processors

Question 9

A cooling system composed of a liquid heat sink, internal liquid pump, a fan, and a radiator that all actively pump cooled liquid in and out with no help from an outside pumping system.

Answer 9

Active liquid heat sink

Question 10

A connector, typically white with three rows of eight pins, designed to connect digital monitors to a computer

Answer 10

Digital visual interface (DVI)

Question 11

A display device that allows a user to interact with a computer by touching, tapping, and swiping areas on the screen

Answer 11

Touch screen

Question 12

a connector used to connect a computer to an HDMI monitor or TV

Answer 12

High Definition Media Interface (HDMI)

Question 13

A printer that uses electrical charges and heat to fuse tiny plastic particles (called toner) to the paper

Answer 13

Laser printer

Question 14

A common interface used to connect peripherals, such as mice, keyboards, printers, and digital cameras to a computer

Answer 14

Universal Serial Bus (USB)

Question 15

A common method of cooling that uses fans to move hot air out of a system

Answer 15

Air cooling

Question 16

A printer that sprays small dots of ink from an ink reservoir onto a sheet of paper

Answer 16

Inkjet printer

Question 17

A family of processors most often used in smartphones due to its lower power requirements. This is accomplished by reducing the processors’ instruction set

Answer 17

Advanced RISC Machines (ARM)

Question 18

an event in which two objects with different charge levels come together resulting in an electrostatic shock

Answer 18

Electrostatic discharge

Question 19

A computer component that attaches to a chip (like a CPU) that disperses heat and prevents overheating

Answer 19

Heat sink

Question 20

an additional computer processor that provides graphics processing, providing better performance by relieving the CPU of this duty

Answer 20

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

Question 21

A liquid-cooled system that places a water-cooled heat exchanger near a heat source. The exchanger then removes the heat, reducing the air temperature

Answer 21

Water cooling

Question 22

A component, sometimes built into and sometimes plugged into the motherboard, that provides network connectivity

Answer 22

Network Interface Card (NIC)

Question 23

The main memory of a computer that can be quickly accessed by the CPU and where the computer stores data and instructions that it is actively using.

Answer 23

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Question 24

A device, usually external to a computer, that is plugged into a computer’s communication port or is connected wirelessly. Common peripherals are keyboards, mice, speakers, monitors, and printers

Answer 24

Peripheral

Question 25

A circuit board that connects to a computer’s motherboard, giving it additional power or functionality

Answer 25

Expansion card

Question 26

An advanced system of cooling where liquid coolant is in direct contact with the CPU offering a high heat transfer that quickly reduces the temperature of the CPU’s surface

Answer 26

Immersion cooling