(Week 2) Chapter1 Components of Computer System Flashcards
___________ consists of hard ware and software components.
Computer System
___________is the physical equipment.
Hardware
___________instructs the computer how to operate.
Operating System (OS)
___________performs different functions or program with specific task.
Application software
True or False? Programs vary widely depending on the type of information that will be accessed or generated.
True
___________is the main printed circuit board and contains the buses, or electrical pathways, found in a computer.
These buses allow data to travel between the various components that comprise a computer
Also known as the system, the backplane, or the main board.
Motherboard
___________ executes a program, which is a sequence of stored instructions. Each model of processor has an instruction set, which it executes.
It executes the program by processing each piece of data as directed by the program and the instruction set.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Architectures use a relatively small set of instructions, and RISC chips are designed to execute these instructions very rapidly.
Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC)
Architectures use a broad set of instructions, resulting in fewer steps per operation.
Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC)
A technique used to make a processor work at a faster speed than its original specification. It is not a reliable way to improve computer performance and can result in damaging the CPU.
Overclocking
a set of multimedia instructions built into intel processors that enabled microprocessors can handle many common multimedia operations that are normally handled by a separate sound or video card.
Only software especially written to call ____ instructions can take advantage of the ____ instructions set.
MMX
One core inside a single CPU chip that handles all of the processing capability. A motherboard manufacturer may provide to build a powerful, multi-processor computer.
Single Core CPU
Two cores inside a single CPU chip in which both cores can process information at the same time.
Dual Core CPU
It is the temporary storage for data and programs that are being accessed by the CPU.
Random-Access Memory (RAM)
Is a memory chip that is used as main memory. Must be constantly refreshed with pulses of electricity in order to maintain the data stored within a chip.
Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM)
Is a memory chip that is used as cache memory. Is much faster than DRAM and does not have to be refreshed as often.
Static Random Access Memory (SRAM)
Is memory that supports paging. Paging enables faster access to the data than regular DRAM. Most 486 and Pentium systems from 1995 and earlier use this.
Fast Page Mode DRAM (FPM Memory)
Is memory that overlaps consecutive data accesses. This speed up the access time to retrieve data from memory, because the CPU does not have to wait from one data access cycle to end before another data access cycle begins.
Extended Data Output RAM (EDO Memory)
Is DRAM that operates in synchronization with the memory bus. The memory bus is the data path between the CPU and the main memory.
Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)
Is faster than DDR SDRAM memory. Improves performance over DDR SDRAM by decreasing noise and crosstalk between the signal wires.
Double Data Rate 2 SDRAM (DDR2 SDRAM)
Is a memory chip that was developed to communicate at very high rates of speed and are not commonly used.
Rambus DRAM (RDRAM)
Is the piece of hardware that’s used to convert the power provided from the outlet into usable power for the many parts inside the computer case
Power Supply
