Paper 1: Computer Components Flashcards
What is a computer?
A device that receives an input, processes the instruction and creates an output.
What is hardware?
The physical components/parts of the computer.
What is software?
The instructions/programs that run on the computer.
What is a CPU and what does it stand for?
The central processing unit is the brain of the computer and carries out all of the processing.
What is clock speed?
How many instructions can be processed per second.
How fast is 4Ghz?
4 Billion instructions per second.
How many cores can a processor have?
Anywhere from 2 up to 18.
What difference does having multiple cores make?
If an instruction/task can be split, it allows tasks to be carried out at the same time.
What factors affect the speed of a processor?
- Heat
- Clock speed
- Number of cores
What is RAM Memory?
Random Access Memory is volatile (wiped when the power is turned off) and stores the programs/instructions that are being or about to be processed.
What is ROM Memory?
Read Only Memory is Non-Volatile (permanent) and stores the instructions for loading and making the computer work.
What is Cache Memory?
A small amount of volatile storage on and next to the CPU that stores the most frequently used instructions for fast access.
What is a magnetic hard disk and how does it store data?
A large and heavy metal disk that rotates under an arm to read and write data, storing data by magnetising parts of the disk to represent the 1s and 0s.
What is secondary storage and how is it different from primary storage?
Secondary storage is memory used by the user of the computer, while primary storage is memory used by the CPU to run the computer.
What is Flash/Solid state Memory?
Flash memory stores data by using transistors that trap electrons to represent the 1s and 0s.
What are two advantages of solid state over Magnetic hard disk memory?
- Faster to read and write data as no moving parts
- Smaller and lightweight so more portable
What are two advantages of Magnetic hard disk memory over solid state?
- Larger storage capacity due to its size
- Cheaper to make than Flash/Solid state memory
What is optical storage?
A CD or DVD where data is burnt onto the disk and read using a laser.
What is an advantage of optical storage?
Cheaper to make than both Magnetic hard disk and Solid State memory.
What are three disadvantages of optical storage?
- Easy to break/damage
- Very small storage capacity
- Not as portable as some Flash memory devices
What is virtual memory?
When the RAM is full, the computer moves any instructions not currently in use in the RAM to an area of secondary storage, freeing up space in the RAM.
Why does virtual memory still need RAM?
All data to be processed must first be in the RAM, so anything in virtual memory needs to be returned to the RAM first.
Is virtual memory faster than RAM memory?
No, it is slower as the data needs to go back into RAM first.
What is a motherboard?
An electronic circuit board that allows all hardware components to be plugged in and provides pathways for electricity to flow between each component.
What is a transistor?
A small hardware device used to store and release electricity within the computer.
What are the wires called on a motherboard and what do they do?
They are called Busses, which transport electricity between components.
What is a graphics card?
Hardware that takes the binary from the processor and decides how it is to be displayed on the screen.
What is a sound card?
Hardware that takes the binary from the processor and decides how it should sound.
What is an operating system?
Software that allows the user to interact with the hardware and programs, helping to run the computer.
What is an input device?
A device that allows instructions/data to be entered into the computer.
List five examples of input devices.
- Keyboard
- Scanner
- Graphics tablet
- Touch screen
- Chip and pin reader
What is an output device?
A device that projects/creates data from the computer into the real world.
List four examples of output devices.
- Printers
- Plotters
- Actuators
- Speakers
