section 3.3 vocab. Flashcards
The communication system that allows data to be transferred between the components inside a computer
Bus
The most important part of any modern computer system; it controls the other parts of the computer.
Central processing unit (CPU)
The main memory of a computer that can be quickly accessed by the CPU. It is where the computer stores data and instructions that it is actively using
Random access memory (RAM)
A large, flat computer component that connects the important components of the computer, such as the CPU, RAM, and the BIOS chip. It also has power and other communications connections.
Motherboard
A unit that supplies electricity to the motherboard and other computer components.
Power supply
An additional computer processor that provides graphics processing. It improves performance by relieving the CPU of this duty.
Graphics processing unit (GPU)
A component, sometimes built into and sometimes plugged into the motherboard, that provides network connectivity.
Network interface card (NIC)
Components, including heat sinks and fans, that keep computer components from overheating.
Cooling system
An event in which two objects with different charge levels come together resulting in an electrostatic shock.
Electrostatic discharge
A three-step cycle (fetch, decode, and execute) that processors use to execute instructions.
The fetch-execute cycle
A family of processors manufactured by Intel and AMD that use a common instruction set (list of commands that the processor can execute).
x86 processors
A family of processors most often used in smartphones due to its lower power requirements. This is accomplished by reducing the processors’ instruction set.
Advanced RISC Machines (ARM) processors
A circuit board that connects to a computer’s motherboard, giving it additional power or functionality.
Expansion card
A computer component that attaches to a chip (such as a CPU) that disperses heat and prevents overheating.
Heat sink
A common method of cooling that uses fans to move hot air out of a system.
Air cooling
