Module 4: Unit 1 | System Components Flashcards
What two factors determine computer performance?
The type of components installed
How well-matched the components are to one another
The device that ‘runs’ software programs.
It processes instructions from software and directs other components to perform their actions (e.g. displaying an image on the screen, printing a document)
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
It is composed of many simple instructions
Software
Where the instructions are loaded when a program is started
System Memory
A type of technology that system memory uses
Having more of this allows the Pc to open more programs simultaneously and work on large files more efficiently
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Aside from the size of the system memory, the ________ of the memory subsystem is also important.
Speed
The bus between the CPU and memory
Front Side Bus (FSB)
Where programs and data are stored when the computer is turned off
Hard Disk Drive (HDD)/Solid State Drive (SSD)
The three reasons why the type and specification of the mass storage drive is important
- If there is not enough space, fewer programs and data files can be stored on the computer
- If disk is not fast enough, performance will suffer if the computer tries to load programs and data files into memory
- The computer may use part of the hard disk to supplement system RAM (virtual memory). If the computer does not have much system RAM, it helps for the hard disk to be fast otherwise accessing virtual memory often will reduce performance even more than usual.
A type of fixed disk that is based on a magnetic disk technology.
Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
A type of fixed disk that uses a type of transistor-based memory called flash memory
Faster than HDDs
Solid State Drive (SSD)
A dedicated processor that is responsible for display functions
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
Computers, smartphones, and tablets are almost always used as part of a computer _________.
Uses this to share information locally and to access data over the Internet
Network
The two main ways of making a network link
Wired Network
Wireless Network
A type of networking link where the computer will be connected to an Internet router via an Ethernet.
On a business network, the computer will be connected to the wider network via an Ethernet switch
Wired network
Provides the Ethernet port in a computer in a wired network.
Network Interface Card (NIC)
On a wired network, the connection to the router is made using what type of cable
A cable with RJ-45 connectors on each end.
A type of network link that computing devices have so they do not have to be cabled to access the network
Wireless network
Most home networks support _________ so that computing devices do not have to be cabled to the Internet router to access network
Wi-fi Radio Networking
The main thing you will see when you open up a PC/laptop
Determines the upgrade potential of the computer
Motherboard (System board)
The motherboard is a _________- with some built-in processors (the chipset), sockets, and slots for upgradable components (CPU, RAM, adapter cards, disk drives), and wires (buses) to connect them together
Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
What does a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) contain?
Built-in processors (chipset)
Sockets and slots for upgradable components (CPU, RAM, adapter cards, disk drives)
Wires (Buses)
The two reasons why a component may not be compatible with a motherboard?
It does not physically fit in the type of sockets available
It is too new for the motherboard’s chipset to be able to communicate with.
a programmable integrated circuit - a silicon chip embedded on a ceramic plate
Microprocessor (Processor)