Aditional Hardware Components

Question 1

The motherboard

Answer 1

The motherboard is the main circuit of the computer. The CPU and ROM will be mounted on the motherboard which also provides RAM expansion slots USB ports, PCI ports for expansion cards and controllers for the hard drive, dvd drive keyboard and mouse

Question 2

Graphics processing unit (GPU)

Answer 2

A GPU is a microprocessor that is used to calculate the graphics needed to display the image on screen. The GPU preformed these calculations initially but a more complex applications were developed such as 3d imagery and video quality animations, the GPU was introduced to offload those tasks from the CPU

Question 3

Intagrayed GPU

Answer 3

An integrated GPU uses the computers RAM, an integrated GPU is far cheaper than a dedicated GPU. It generates less heat and uses less power. They are perfect for general graphics processing such as watching or editing videos

Question 4

Dedicated GPU

Answer 4

A dedicated GPU has its own video memory. Dedicated cards provide the best visual experience. They are used by people such as graphic designers or people who play a lot of games , but they use a lot of power and require a good cooling system. GPUs are also used to mine digital currencies due to their great processing power

Question 5

Sound cards

Answer 5

A sound card can be mounted on the GPU or inserted into a PCI slot. The enable the computer to emit sound through speakers, record sound through a microphone or manipulate sound through a a disc. Sound cards concert analogue input signals into digital data and reverse this process for audio output.

Question 6

Embedded systems

Answer 6

An embedded system is a combination of softwares and hardwares that preforms a specific task rather than a general purpose computer that is designed to carry out multiple tasks.