Module 3 : Computer Hardware Flashcards

1
Q

Central processing unit (CPU)

A

Complex integrated circuit consisting of millions of electronic parte and is primarily responsible for converting input (data) into meaning output (information)

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2
Q

Multi-core processors

A

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

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3
Q

Processor cache

A

Stores data next to the processor so it can quickly and easily and quickly be retrieved

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4
Q

Control unit

A

Manages the flow of instructions within the processor

Fetching and decoding instructions

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5
Q

Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)

A

Responsible for performing arithmetic operations

Executing and storing instructions

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6
Q

Random access memory (RAM)

A

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

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7
Q

Volatile

A

Loses its contents when power is removed

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8
Q

Nonvolatile

A

Does not lose its contents when power is removed

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9
Q

Read-only memory (ROM)

A

Permanently installed on computer and is attached to the circuit/mother board
Chip contains BIOS, which tells uour computer how to start

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10
Q

Power-on self test (POST)

A

Tests all computer components for proper operation (performed by BIOS)

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11
Q

Firmware

A

Instructions on the ROM chip

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12
Q

Virtual memory

A

If your computer runs low on RAM, it may need to swap contents of RAM to and from the hard drive

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13
Q

Swap/Paging file

A

Area of the hard drive temporarily used to store data that cannot fit in RAM

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14
Q

How a comouter might use virtial memory

A

See picture

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15
Q

Inout device

A

Communicates instructions and commands to the computer

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16
Q

Output device

A

Conveys information from computer to user

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17
Q

Types of RAM

A
(See picture)
Dynamic RAM
Static RAM
Magnetoresistive RAM
Flash memory
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18
Q

Binary system

A

Number system that has two digits, 0 and 1.

0 indicates absence of electronic charge
1 indicates presence of electronic charge

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19
Q

Bit

A

Smallest unit of data a computer can process

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20
Q

Byte

A

(8 bits)

Single character in the computer or mobile device

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21
Q

ACSII

A

8-bit coding scheme, which means that 8 bits are used to represent uppercase and lower case letters, mathematical operators and logical operations

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22
Q

Unicode

A

16-bit coding scheme, its an extension of ASCII and can support more than 65 000 symbols and characters

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23
Q

Hard drive

A

Most common storage medium in computer

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24
Q

Solid-state drive (SSD)

A

Hard drive without moving parts, faster and more durable than magnetic drives

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25
Q

External hard drives

A

Can add storage capacity to your computer, housed in a separate case and typically connect to your computer using USB cable

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26
Q

Optical media

A

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

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27
Q

Cloud storage

A

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

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28
Q

Desktop computer

A

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

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29
Q

All-in-one computer

A

Similar to a desktop computer, but the monitor and system unit are housed together
Take up less space than desktop computers and easier to transport ,and more expensive

30
Q

Mobile device

A

Portable computing device, such as smartphone or tablet, with screen size of 10.1 inches or smaller

31
Q

Tablet

A

Small, flat computer with touch-sensitive screen that accepts input from a digital pen or fingertip

32
Q

Platform

A

The software or operating system that a computer uses
When two computers use the same platform, its easier to transfer files between the computers
E.g, using computer with same operating system as the computers at your school/work

33
Q

Form factor

A

Shape and size of the computer

34
Q

Laptop

A

Aka, a notebook, is a portable computer that is smaller than the average briefcase and light enough to carry comfortably

35
Q

Peripheral device

A

Device such as a keyboard, mouse, printer or speakers that can be connected to and extend the capabilty of a computer

36
Q

Port

A

Slot on the computer where you can attach a peripheral device

37
Q

USB hub

A

External device that contains many USB ports

38
Q

Keyboard

A

Input device that contain keys you can press to enter letters, numbers and symbols

39
Q

Pointing device

A

Used to point and select specific objects on the computer screen

40
Q

Mouse

A

Most common pointing device used with computers

41
Q

Touchpad

A

Flat-surface that is touch sensitive and you move your finger around the touchpad to move the printer on the screen (on laptops)

42
Q

Trackball

A

Stationary pointing device with a ball anchored inside casing, as well as two or more buttons. Moving the ball moves pointer on screen

43
Q

Touchscreen

A

Display that lets you touch areas of the screen to interact with the software

44
Q

Multitouch screen

A

Can respond to multiple fingers touching the screen simultaneously

45
Q

Stylus

A

Small device, shaped like a pen, that you can use to draw, tap icons or tap keys on an on-screen board

46
Q

Digital pen

A

Similar to stylus, but is more capable because it has programmable buttons, can capture handwritting as you write on screen

47
Q

Microphone

A

Used to enter voice or sound data into a computer

48
Q

Cameras

A

Input devices because they support you adding pictures or videos to a computer

49
Q

Web cams

A

Cameras on computers used for video-conferencing, chatting or online gaming

50
Q

Scanner

A

Input device that coverts an existing paper into an electronic file that you can open and work with on your computer

51
Q

Game controller

A

Input device you use when playing a video game, eg, joysticks, gamepadd,wheels

52
Q

Joystick

A

Handheld vertical lever, mounted on a base, that you move in different directions to control the actions if a simulated vehicle or player

53
Q

Gamepad

A

Held in both hands and controls movement and actions of players or objects

54
Q

Dance pad

A

Flat, electronic device divided into panels that users press with their feet in response to instructions from the video game

55
Q

Wheeel

A

Game controller that mirrors functionality of a steering wheel in an automobile

56
Q

Motion sensing controller

A

Allows users users to guide on-screen elements with air-gestures

57
Q

Speakers

A

Used to convey audio output, such as music, voice, sound effects or other sounds

58
Q

Headphones

A

Pair of small listening devices that fit into a band placed over your ears

59
Q

Earbuds

A

Speakers that are small enough to place into your ear

60
Q

Headsets

A

Include one or more headphones for output and a microphone for input

61
Q

Printer

A

Creates hard copy output on paper, film and other media

62
Q

Voice synthesizer

A

Coverts text to speech

63
Q

Plug-and-play

A

Will function properly as soon as you connect them to a computer

64
Q

Device driver

A

Program that controls a device connected to your computer, such as printer, monitor, video card

65
Q

Clock speed

A

Measures speed at which a processor can execute instructions

66
Q

Cycle

A

Smallest unit of time a process can measure

67
Q

Word size/Bus width

A

Determines speed at which data travels

68
Q

Benchmark

A

Test run by laboratory or other organization to determine processor speed and other performance factors

69
Q

Uninterruptable power supply (UPS)

A

Short-term battery backup that comes on automatically in case of power loss

70
Q

Surge Suppressor

A

Device that prevents power flactuations from damaging electronic components

71
Q

Restore

A

Reverting all settings back to their default

72
Q

Projectors

A

Display output from a computer on a large surface such as a wall or screen