T6 Resources to manage Flashcards
Important resources to manage (9)
1) Primary memory (RAM)
2) Secondary storage (HDD/SSD/optical drives)
3) Processor speed - Refers to how fast the CPU can execute instructions, typically measured in GHz.
4) Bandwidth - The rate at which data can be transferred over a network or between components, typically measured in Mbps or Gbps.
5) Screen resolution - The number of pixels that can be displayed on the screen, affecting clarity and detail.
6) Sound processor - A component that handles the processing and output of audio signals in a computer system.
7) Graphics processor - A specialized processor responsible for rendering images and videos to the display, often referred to as a GPU.
8) Cache
9 Network connectivity
Primary Memory (RAM) (What happens when RAM is limited (3))
What it does - It is the place where all data/programs currently being processed are kept is Primary Memory (RAM).
Effect on system if too limited:
1) If too little physical memory exists, the system will need to use secondary storage, which is much slower, by means of virtual memory.
2) If virtual memory cannot be created or is insufficient, the program/data simply cannot be loaded.
3) It influences how many processes can be done simultaneously.
Secondary Storage (Effect - 3)
What it does:
Place were data/program can be stored if powered is lost (RAM is volatile).
Effect on system if too limited:
1) No place to ‘save’ work - so data might be lost
2) Can also prevent the OS from using storage as virtual memory if RAM fills up
3) Limits how much data can be kept
Processor Speed (Effect - 1)
What it does:
Processor does all calculationsin a computer system.
Speed is measurement of how many calculations can be done per second
Effect on system if too limited:
Processor will take longer to perform tasks
Processor Cores (Effect - 2)
What it does:
Each processor has at least 1 ALU or core. If you have 2 ALUs you can do two operations at once, etc.
Effect on system if too limited:
1) If you have only one core, you can only perform one set of operations/calculations at a time. If you have two or more you can do more calculation in the same time frame.
2) It affects how many tasks a system can cope with simulataneously.
Bandwidth (Effect - 2)
What it does:
Measurement of how much data can be sent at the same time in a certain time frame (also called bitrate
Effect on system if too limited:
1) Limiting the bandwidth means data will take longer to move between two points.
2) It affects how long it takes before data can be processed in its entirety.
Screen Resolution ( Effect - 2)
What it does
Measurement of the number of pixel in height x width of the display
Effect on system if too limited:
1) If resolution is too limited, the number of pixles that can be displayed is less - display might be pixelated (blocky)
2) Lower resolutions = smaller file size but poorer quality images
Sound Processor (Effect - 2)
What it does:
Sound reproduction is done by a separate processor, freeing up the CPU to do other calculations.
Can also contain a bank of ‘sampled’ sounds to reproduce better quality music/audio
Effect on system if too limited:
1) CPU is taxed with having to processes sounds, slows down system overall.
2) Overall quality is not as high as in a system with a dedicated sound processor.
Graphic Processor
What it does:
Does complex graphic processing (like 3D rendering)
Effect on system if too limited:
1) If CPU has to do graphics processing, it will take longer or be limited.
Network Connectivity (Effect - 2)
What it is:
Each network card connects to a particular type of network media (cable/wireless signal)
Effect on system if limited:
1) Limited connection types limits the way data can be sent or received in a system.
2) Speed can also be a factor.
