outcome 2 Flashcards
what are the types of computers and their uses
PCs and Laptops: For everyday tasks like web browsing and document editing.
Workstations: High-performance computers for technical applications.
Supercomputers: Used for complex tasks like weather forecasting.
Mobile Devices: Portable devices for communication and light computing.
what are the key components of a motherboard
CPU Socket, RAM Slots (DIMM), PCI-Express Slots, Storage Connectors (SATA), and Onboard Components.
what is the function of the cpu control unit CU
It directs the operations of the CPU and ensures instructions are processed correctly.
what is the role of the ALU
The ALU handles mathematical calculations and logical operations.
what is the purpose of RAM in a computer system
RAM provides temporary storage for programs currently in use; it is volatile, meaning data is lost when the system is powered off.
what is the difference between DDR3 and DDR4 RAM
DDR4 is faster and more energy-efficient than DDR3.
what are some common storage devices and their uses
HDD: High-capacity, slower storage.
SSD: Faster storage with lower capacity compared to HDDs.
Optical Drives: Read/write data from CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray discs.
what is the role of a GPU and what type of memory does it uses
GPUs specialize in rendering graphics, and they use Video RAM (VRAM), such as GDDR5 or GDDR6.
what are Ethernet adapters used for
they provide a wired connection to a network for reliable data transfer
how is data capacity measured
data is measured in bits, bytes, kilobytes, gigabytes and terabytes
bytes are 8 time bigger than a bit
the rest are 1024 lots of the previous measurement
difference between DRAM and SRAM
DRAM: Uses capacitance storage, needs to be refreshed often, and is slower (used for main memory).
SRAM: Uses flip-flop technology, does not need to be refreshed, and is faster (used for cache memory).
What is ROM, and what are its different types?
ROM (Read-Only Memory) is non-volatile memory that retains data even without power.
Types: PROM (programmable once), EPROM (erasable via UV light), and EEPROM (erasable electrically).
what are the types of multi-tasking in CPU operations?
re-emptive multitasking: Resources are shared based on agreed processes.
Cooperative multitasking: Processes voluntarily hand back control to higher-priority tasks.
What is the purpose of a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)?
The GPU handles graphical output, parallel processing, and is used for tasks like video rendering, AI, and cryptocurrency mining.
What are the main types of storage devices
Floppy disk, hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), network-attached storage (NAS), cloud storage, USB flash drives, and optical drives.
What is the difference between serial and parallel communication?
Serial communication: Sends one bit at a time (like a single-lane road).
Parallel communication: Sends multiple bits at once (like a multi-lane highway).
What is a bottleneck in computer systems?
A bottleneck occurs when too much data enters one source, slowing down or making the system unresponsive.
What are common interfaces used for data transfer?
SATA: Connects mass storage devices.
PCI Express: High-speed interface for devices like GPUs, SSDs, and network cards.
HDMI: Transfers audio and video in a single cable.
USB: Connects peripherals (e.g., keyboards, mice) with different speed standards (1.1, 2, 3).
DIMM: Slots where RAM is connected to the motherboard
How is processor clock speed measured?
Processor clock speed is measured in Hertz (Hz), representing the number of cycles per second. For example, 4.2 GHz = 4.2 billion cycles per second.
What is the difference between serial and parallel data transfer?
Serial: One bit at a time (like a single-lane road).
Parallel: Multiple bits at once (like a multi-lane highway).
How does parity checking work?
Parity checking ensures data integrity during transmission by adding an extra bit to detect errors. There are two types:
Odd parity: The number of 1s in the data is made odd.
Even parity: The number of 1s in the data is made even.
What is virtual memory, and why is it used?
Virtual memory allows a system to use a portion of the hard disk as extra RAM when physical RAM is exhausted. It helps avoid crashes but can lead to slower performance due to disk swapping.
What factors can affect system performance?
CPU: Clock speed, number of cores, cache memory.
Memory: Available RAM, virtual memory usage.
Storage: Type and speed of hard disk, fragmentation.
Interfaces: Data throughput speeds, bus width.
How is data written to memory?
Data is placed on the data bus, and the destination address is placed on the address bus. The write line is set high, prompting memory to store the data at the specified address.
