Module 3 : Computer Hardware Flashcards
Central processing unit (CPU)
Complex integrated circuit consisting of millions of electronic parte and is primarily responsible for converting input (data) into meaning output (information)
Multi-core processors
Processors with multiple cores
A processor core is a unit on the processor with the circuitry necessary to execute instructions
Typically perform better and are more expensive than ones with fewer cores
Processor cache
Stores data next to the processor so it can quickly and easily and quickly be retrieved
Control unit
Manages the flow of instructions within the processor
Fetching and decoding instructions
Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
Responsible for performing arithmetic operations
Executing and storing instructions
Random access memory (RAM)
Stored on one or more chips connected to the main circuit board of the computer and temporarily stores data needed by operating system and apps you use
Volatile
Loses its contents when power is removed
Nonvolatile
Does not lose its contents when power is removed
Read-only memory (ROM)
Permanently installed on computer and is attached to the circuit/mother board
Chip contains BIOS, which tells uour computer how to start
Power-on self test (POST)
Tests all computer components for proper operation (performed by BIOS)
Firmware
Instructions on the ROM chip
Virtual memory
If your computer runs low on RAM, it may need to swap contents of RAM to and from the hard drive
Swap/Paging file
Area of the hard drive temporarily used to store data that cannot fit in RAM
How a comouter might use virtial memory
See picture
Inout device
Communicates instructions and commands to the computer
Output device
Conveys information from computer to user
Types of RAM
(See picture) Dynamic RAM Static RAM Magnetoresistive RAM Flash memory
Binary system
Number system that has two digits, 0 and 1.
0 indicates absence of electronic charge
1 indicates presence of electronic charge
Bit
Smallest unit of data a computer can process
Byte
(8 bits)
Single character in the computer or mobile device
ACSII
8-bit coding scheme, which means that 8 bits are used to represent uppercase and lower case letters, mathematical operators and logical operations
Unicode
16-bit coding scheme, its an extension of ASCII and can support more than 65 000 symbols and characters
Hard drive
Most common storage medium in computer
Solid-state drive (SSD)
Hard drive without moving parts, faster and more durable than magnetic drives
External hard drives
Can add storage capacity to your computer, housed in a separate case and typically connect to your computer using USB cable
Optical media
Include CD’s, DVD’s and Blu-ray disks (BD’s), but their use as storage media is declining.
It is easy to transport, but if the disks get damaged, you might not be able to access your stored files
Cloud storage
Involves storing electronic files on the internet, not on a computer
Enables you to store your files remotely on servers that could be in a different part of the world
Does not require much storage on your computer
Desktop computer
Consist of the system unit, monitor, keyboard and mouse
Consist of multiple separate components, so its not very portable
More powerful with more storage than laptops and tablets