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CS 330 Midterm > TOPIC 1 - Hardware, Processor, Memory > Flashcards

TOPIC 1 - Hardware, Processor, Memory Flashcards

1
Q

Why is understanding IT important?

A

You will make better decisions if you understand the options and their tradeoffs

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2
Q

social engineering

A

when hackers use their knowledge of psychology to trick people in divulging confidential information

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3
Q

what are hardware components

A

basic components of a computer

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4
Q

name the 6 types of hardware components

A

processor, main memory, secondary storage, input devices, output devices, communication devices

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5
Q

processor definition

A

central processing unit where symbols, characters, and numbers are manipulated

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6
Q

main memory defintion

A

where data and program instructions are stored temporarily during the process

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7
Q

secondary storage

A

stores data and programs even when the computer is turned off

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8
Q

input devices definition

A

convert data and instructions from the outside world into the electronic form suitable for the computer

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9
Q

examples of input devices

A

keyboard, mouse, touchpad, touchscreen, mic, camera

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10
Q

output device definition

A

converts electronic data produced by the computer into a form understood by humans or the outside world

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11
Q

examples of output devices

A

monitor, speaker, printer

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12
Q

communication devices definition

A

provide connections between the computer and communication networks

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13
Q

examples of communication devices

A

network interface card, ethernet, wifi, bluetooth

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14
Q

Small b vs big B

How many different values?

A

small b is for bit -> 2 possible values

big B is for byte (8 bits)-> 256 possible values

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15
Q

data storage and data transfers refer to which multiples?

A

1024 (K,M,G,T)

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16
Q

metric system or frequencies refer to which multiples?

A

multiples of 1000

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17
Q

How many bytes are in a KB?

A

1024

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18
Q

What is bandwidth and how is it measured?

A

bandwidth refers to speed and is measured in bits per second.

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19
Q

What is word size?

A

a measure of how many bits a processor can transfer/manipulate at the same time

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20
Q

what are the 2 different word size architectures and where are they used?

A

32 bit: older and inexpensive smartphones

64 bit: premium smartphones, recent laptops and servers

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21
Q

what is backwards compatibility?

A

the new version of one component is designed to work with remaining older components

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22
Q

Processors are built for 2 reasons. Name the reasons.

A

Built for efficiency and built for speed

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23
Q

Name the characteristics of a processor built for efficiency.

A
  • run for a long time with a small battery
  • no fan
  • minimize transistors
  • smartphones and tablets
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24
Q

Name the characteristics of a processor build for speed

A
  • large battery or plug in
  • need a fan
  • complex with many transistors
  • used in laptops, desktops, and servers
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25
Q

Role of the processor in a computer

A

processor is the part that does computation and only executes simple instructions

26
Q

goal of simple instructions and examples

A

to be executed very quickly

  • arithmetic and logic
  • comparisons
  • accessing data
  • flow control
27
Q

Name the components of a processor

A

program counter, instruction register, arithmetic logic unit, registers, control unit, cache

28
Q

define the program counter and where it is located

A

located in the processor, it holds the address of the current or next instruction

29
Q

define the instruction register and where it is located

A

located in the processor, holds the instruction that is being/about to be executed

30
Q

define the arithmetic logic unit and where it is located

A

located in the processor, performs arithmetic and logic operations

31
Q

define the registers and where it is located

A

located in the processor, is a small amount of temporary and fast storage - usually a source/destination for the data

32
Q

define the control unit and where it is located

A

located in the processor, reads the instruction in the IR and turns on/off the other components of the processor to execute instruction

33
Q

define the cache and where it is located

A

located in the processor, and stores recently used data and instructions

34
Q

the speed at which you can access memory depends on?

A

depends on the size of the memory, the smaller = the faster.

35
Q

Implication of more cache levels

A

The more levels of cache the better - it is faster but more expensive

36
Q

Which level would store frequent data & instructions?

A

smallest cache and can be accessed quickly

37
Q

Define a multicore processor and the 2 most common

A

each core acts like a separate processor on the same chip.

  • duo core: 2 cores and 2 instructions at the same time
  • quad-core: 4 cores and 4 instructions at the same time
38
Q

How is processor power/performance measured?

A

typically reported as clock speed (frequency)

39
Q

processing power is based on what 4 aspects?

A
  1. number of cores
  2. word size
  3. bus speed
  4. complexity of instruction
40
Q

the speed a clock ticks is measured in:

A

MHz: 1 million clock ticks per second
GHz: 1 billion clock ticks per second

41
Q

types of storage devices (5)

A
  • static random access memory
  • dynamic random access memory
  • solid state drive
  • hard drive
  • usb flash drive
42
Q

why not have one type of storage device?

A

gap between processor performance and memory performance. performance has been increasing much faster - accessing memory is the bottleneck

43
Q

state the memory hierarchy

A 
registers
caches
RAM
solid state drive
hard drive
network storage
off site storage (cloud)
44
Q

top of memory hierarchy characteristics

A

fastest, most expensive, smallest capacity, closest

45
Q

bottom of memory hierarchy characteristics

A

slowest, least expensive, largest capacity, farthest away

46
Q

compare and constrast the 2 types of random access memory

A

static ram: expensive but faster and is used for registers

dynamic ram: less expensive but slower, used for RAM

47
Q

goal of memory hierarchy

A

store commonly used data & instructions in fast memory and rarely used data and instructions in slow memory

48
Q

what are the 2 main types of memory

A

main memory and secondary storage

49
Q

name the 3 components of main memory and their characteristics

A

components: registers, caches, RAM (load programs/files into RAM from secondary storage to access)
characteristics: faster, expensive, volatile

50
Q

what does main memory store?

A
  • All of part of the software program being executed
  • The data that the program is using
  • The operating system programs that manage the operation of the computer
51
Q

name the different types of secondary storage and characterisitcs?

A

types: hard drive, flash drive, optical drive
characteristics: slower, cheaper, non-volatile

52
Q

secondary storage is also referred to as:

A

external memory/storage because it is not directly accessible by the processor

data and programs must be copied to main memory for access

53
Q

name the parts of a hard drive

A
  • main PCB
  • ribbon cable
  • actuator
  • actuator axis
  • actuator arm
  • read/write head
  • spindle
  • platter
54
Q

what is a platter?

A

set of disks stacked on top of each other each with magnetic coating on both sides

55
Q

what is RPM?

A

how fast the disk is spinning, rotations per minute, higher RPM= faster access

56
Q

what is an actuator arm?

A

moves across the disk to position the read/write heads

57
Q

what does the read/write head do?

A

Read/write head changes the orientation of the magnetic field at a particular location to represent 0 or 1

58
Q

what curve does mean time between failures follow?

A

bathtub curve, more likely to fail initially due to manufacturing error and later failure due to wearing out

59
Q

pros of a solid state drive

A
  • 10x faster to access data
  • Lasts longer
  • No moving parts that can wear out
60
Q

cons of a solid state drive

A
  • More expensive
  • Wear out sooner than a hard disk drive when writing a lot of data
  • Data can fade over time
61
Q

Discuss when adding RAM would/would not improve computer performance

A

improve: if there is not enough RAM, OS will use secondary storage which is much slower and will degrade performance
not improve: when there is enough RAM

CS 330 Midterm (6 decks)

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