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AIM 111 > Module 3 : Computer Hardware > Flashcards

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
External hard drives
Can add storage capacity to your computer, housed in a separate case and typically connect to your computer using USB cable
26
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
27
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
28
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
29
All-in-one computer
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
Mobile device
Portable computing device, such as smartphone or tablet, with screen size of 10.1 inches or smaller
31
Tablet
Small, flat computer with touch-sensitive screen that accepts input from a digital pen or fingertip
32
Platform
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
Form factor
Shape and size of the computer
34
Laptop
Aka, a notebook, is a portable computer that is smaller than the average briefcase and light enough to carry comfortably
35
Peripheral device
Device such as a keyboard, mouse, printer or speakers that can be connected to and extend the capabilty of a computer
36
Port
Slot on the computer where you can attach a peripheral device
37
USB hub
External device that contains many USB ports
38
Keyboard
Input device that contain keys you can press to enter letters, numbers and symbols
39
Pointing device
Used to point and select specific objects on the computer screen
40
Mouse
Most common pointing device used with computers
41
Touchpad
Flat-surface that is touch sensitive and you move your finger around the touchpad to move the printer on the screen (on laptops)
42
Trackball
Stationary pointing device with a ball anchored inside casing, as well as two or more buttons. Moving the ball moves pointer on screen
43
Touchscreen
Display that lets you touch areas of the screen to interact with the software
44
Multitouch screen
Can respond to multiple fingers touching the screen simultaneously
45
Stylus
Small device, shaped like a pen, that you can use to draw, tap icons or tap keys on an on-screen board
46
Digital pen
Similar to stylus, but is more capable because it has programmable buttons, can capture handwritting as you write on screen
47
Microphone
Used to enter voice or sound data into a computer
48
Cameras
Input devices because they support you adding pictures or videos to a computer
49
Web cams
Cameras on computers used for video-conferencing, chatting or online gaming
50
Scanner
Input device that coverts an existing paper into an electronic file that you can open and work with on your computer
51
Game controller
Input device you use when playing a video game, eg, joysticks, gamepadd,wheels
52
Joystick
Handheld vertical lever, mounted on a base, that you move in different directions to control the actions if a simulated vehicle or player
53
Gamepad
Held in both hands and controls movement and actions of players or objects
54
Dance pad
Flat, electronic device divided into panels that users press with their feet in response to instructions from the video game
55
Wheeel
Game controller that mirrors functionality of a steering wheel in an automobile
56
Motion sensing controller
Allows users users to guide on-screen elements with air-gestures
57
Speakers
Used to convey audio output, such as music, voice, sound effects or other sounds
58
Headphones
Pair of small listening devices that fit into a band placed over your ears
59
Earbuds
Speakers that are small enough to place into your ear
60
Headsets
Include one or more headphones for output and a microphone for input
61
Printer
Creates hard copy output on paper, film and other media
62
Voice synthesizer
Coverts text to speech
63
Plug-and-play
Will function properly as soon as you connect them to a computer
64
Device driver
Program that controls a device connected to your computer, such as printer, monitor, video card
65
Clock speed
Measures speed at which a processor can execute instructions
66
Cycle
Smallest unit of time a process can measure
67
Word size/Bus width
Determines speed at which data travels
68
Benchmark
Test run by laboratory or other organization to determine processor speed and other performance factors
69
Uninterruptable power supply (UPS)
Short-term battery backup that comes on automatically in case of power loss
70
Surge Suppressor
Device that prevents power flactuations from damaging electronic components
71
Restore
Reverting all settings back to their default
72
Projectors
Display output from a computer on a large surface such as a wall or screen

AIM 111 (15 decks)

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