unit three - hardware Flashcards
computer
something we supply with data to be changed into an appropriate format - stored or displayed
hardware
they are a range of physical devices that you can see
input
an input device is one that collects data from outside world and changes it into a form that the computer can work with - e.g mouse, keyboard
output
an output device communicates information from the computer to the user - e.g screen (takes binary info & do something to the physical world, control physical motion)
storage
holds instructions permanently or semi-permanently so the CPU can work with them - the CPU needs memory and storage so it can coordinate i put and output devices.
processing
between receiving input and providing output to your computer, so in short the computer processes input and produces output - e.g the CPU processes info
computer main objectives
input info -> store info -> process info-> output info
CPU
short for central processing unit, it is the rain of the computer that processes and calculates info required by the operating systems and is attached to the motherboard - it is also responsible for executing a sequence of instructions called programs - measured in MHz (megahertz) or GHz (gigahertz)
RAM
(random access memory) primary memory of a computer that stores short term info for programs that is currently in use and is demanded by operating system, RAM is attached to the motherboardz
hard disk drive
secondary memory of a computer which stores long term info that is not in use - larger capacity than RAM but slower speed
motherboard
body of the computer that connects all internal and external together
graphics card
processing unit for graphics that converts info to colour output on display - often includes video output (HDMI) to connect to external display
network interface controller
the NIC provides a computer wired and wireless capabilities
