Lecture 8: Hardware - 1/30 Flashcards
CPU (central processing unit)
Manipulates the data and controls the tasks performed by the other hardware
GPU (graphics processing unit)
Performs rapid calculations for display of graphical output
Hardware parallelism
Adding multiple cores to the CPU to allow processing information simultaneously
Doesn’t double performance, but it does increase it to a point
Software parallelism
Using “hyperthreading”—software tricks, to increase the rate of data flow through the CPU. These data streams are called threads
Like with hardware parallelism, doesn’t double performance but increases it by 20-30%
Primary storage
Temporarily stores data and program instructions during processing. Most is volatile
Primary storage types
Register, cache, RAM (random access memory), ROM (read only memory)
Cores for a CPU
Allow them to execute multiple instruction cycles at the same time
Secondary storage
Relatively slow and used in instances when data is read or written infrequently. Most is non-volatile
Types of secondary storage
SSD (solid state drive)
HDD (magnetic drive)
Optical drive (ODD)
Magnetic tape
Which is the cheapest form of secondary storage?
Magnetic tape
Input technologies
Converts data and instructions from users into a form that the computer can understand.
Keyboard, mouse, touch screen, stylus
Barcode/QR code reader, camera
Output technologies
Presents data and information in a form users can understand
Monitor, printer, speakers
Communication technologies
Provide for the flow of data between the CPU and external networks
NIC (network interface card), modem, bluetooth devices
Different types of computer systems
Wearable computer, tablet computer, laptop, personal computer, mainframe computer, supercomputer
Supercomputer
Many computers connected together that break up and perform calculations in parallel
