Chapter 1.1 - Hardware Flashcards
(118 cards)
1
Q
define modular design
A
means that a computer consists of separate components and peripherals instead of one unit
2
Q
advantages of modular design
A
- easier to upgrade: certain component s can be added or replaced with better ones if needed. eg. computer slow easily add more RAM to the DIMM slots on motherboard
-easy to repair: if component breaks, replace just component
3
Q
define modular programming
A
design of a program using methods such as functions and procedures
4
Q
function of modular programming
A
methods are separate blocks of code that can be reused without the duplication of code, which also makes it easier to debug the code
5
Q
define the motherboard
A
the motherboard is the main circuit board found inside of the computer case, which allows the peripherals and other components to connect to it
6
Q
what are the functions of the motherboard
A
-it provides slots and connectors for various components and peripherals to connect to
-some components and peripherals connected to the computer, receive power from the motherboard
-the motherboard allows for communication to occur between components and peripherals
7
Q
what is the function of storage
A
hardware that permanently stores data and instructions in the from of files and software
8
Q
another term for storage
A
secondary memory
9
Q
which slot does storage have on the motherboard/ what connects storage and the motherboard
A
SATA
10
Q
characteristics of storage
A
-slower access time and data transfer rate compared to RAM and CPU
-cheaper per GB than RAM
-non-volatile so it keeps data permanently even when the computer is turned off
11
Q
types of storage
A
mechanical and electronic
12
Q
examples of mechanical storage
A
-hard disk drive
-external hard drive
13
Q
examples of electronic storage
A
-solid state drive
-flash drive
-SD card
-external hard drive
14
Q
expand HDD
A
hard disk drive
15
Q
what is the speed unit for a HDD
A
RPM: revolutions per minute
16
Q
characteristics of HDD
A
it is mechanical with moving parts - therefore slower than SSD or RAM
the header on the arm needs to find data on the spinning disks
17
Q
expand SSD
A
solid state drive
18
Q
characteristics of SSD
A
electronic with no moving parts - faster than HDD
19
Q
where is SSD found in
A
-desktops/laptops
-smartphones
-tablets
20
Q
why is SSD used in mobile devices
A
-smaller in size compared to HDD so fits into smaller device
-no moving parts which means use less battery power
21
Q
what port does a flashdrive use
A
USB ports
22
Q
what is the capacity unit for a flash drive
A
GB
23
Q
what are characteristics of flash drives
A
electronic with n moving parts - faster than HDD
24
Q
what is the use of flash drives
A
transfer files from one computer to another
25
what are the uses for an SD card
-placed inside a digital camera to store pictures taken
-add more storage to smartphone or tablet
26
how to transfer data from SD cards
-laptop computers could have built-in card readers
-external card reader that plugs into USB port could be used
27
characteristics of external hard drives
found as both mechanical and electronic
28
what port is used for external hard drives
USB port
29
what is the use of external hard drives
often used to backup data on a computer
30
define plug-and-play
a technology that allows the operating system to identify a device that is plugged into the computer and automatically install the driver for the device
31
how does plug-and-play work
microsoft windows 10 and up has some generic driver software preinstalled that allows the monitor, mouse, keyboard and other USB devices to function. The operating system, will detect and install the drivers needed which allows use of the device almost immediately
32
define hot-swappable
a device can be connected and disconnected while the computer is on
33
what devices are hot-swappable and use plug-and-play technology
-flash drives
-printers
-mice
-keyboards
34
why is a graphics card not hot-swappable
computer needs to be shut down and opened to install it but it could be plug-and-play compatible
35
when is a USB hub used
used when the computer does not have enough USB ports for the number of USB devices needed
36
expand RAM
random access memory
37
what is RAM also known as
memory/primary memory
38
what is the RAM motherboard slot
Dual-in memory modules (DIMM slots)
39
what is RAM capacity units
GB - gigabytes
40
define RAM
electronic memory that temporarily holds data and instructions to be processed by the CPU
41
what is the function of RAM
data, instructions and software must be loaded into RAM for the CPU to process them
42
what are the characteristics of RAM
-electronic and therefore fast
-volatile which means that when computer turned off, RA is cleared, removing all data and instructions
-RAM more expensive per GB than storage
43
how does RAM influence the performance of the computer
adding more RAM to computer is cost-effective way to improve the computer's performance. Increases number of files and programs that can be opened at once
44
what limits RAM
-number of DIMM slots available on motherboard
-type of RAM motherboard can support
45
what is the reason for less RAM than storage
-number available slots on motherboard
-RAM more expensive per GB compared to storage
-RAM temporarily and storage permanent
46
expand ROM
read only memory
47
define ROM
permanent memory found in small quantities on the motherboard, the contents of which cannot be changed or deleted
48
what is the function of ROM
contains firmware such as BIOS that allows a computer to start up each time it is turned on
49
advantaged of ROM
-keep the instructions even when the power is switched off
-cannot be changed accidentally as it is Read Only
50
expand BIOS
basic input output system
51
define BIOS
firmware stored on ROM containing instructions for the booting process
52
what is the function of BIOS
-booting process
-provides computer configuration options for a user to change. Changes stored in CMOS memory
53
what is the booting process
-POST (power-on self-test): all hardware checked that it is in working order
-locates operating system on storage and loads it into RAM
54
expand CMOS memory
complementary metal oxide semiconductor memory
55
about CMOS memory
-stores configuration options for BIOS
-CMOS battery constantly provides power to CMOS memory to retain data when power off
56
what settings of the CMOS memory can be changed
-booting order (where locate OS)
-system date and time
-hardware settings like changing function keys to used F9 without fn key
57
define firmware
permanent software such as BIOS that is programmed onto ROM
58
what is the function of firmware
holds hardware settings and the BIOS that get the computer started up
59
what is flashing
process of completely removing the existing firmware and replacing it with a new, updated version
60
what are the advantages for storing firmware on ROM
-permanent memory
-faster access time than hard drive and will therefore load firmware faster
-prevents accidental or deliberate change to firmware
61
what devices use firmware
-flash drives
-external hard drives
-graphics cards
-mobile devices (smartphones/tablets)
-printers
-smart lightbulbs
-GPS devices
62
expand CPU
central processing unit
63
what is the speed unit for the CPU
GHz - gigahertz
64
what is the slot used to connect the CPU to the motherboard
ZIF socket - zero insertion force
65
what are some examples of CPU manufacterers
-AMD
-Intel
66
what is a quad core
a CPU with four cores
67
what is the function of the CPU
responsible for all processing that takes place in computer which know as machine cycle
68
what is the machine cycle
repeated for every instruction executed by the CPU
69
expand IRQ
interrupt request line
70
what is the IRQ also known as
hardware intterrupt
71
how does the IRQ work
when hardware device needs attention from CPU sends an interrupt signal to CPU. CPU briefly stops processing it is busy with and handles request from device. Once request completed, CPU returns what it was processing before
72
examples of IRQ used in printer
-low ink/toner
-ink/toner needs replacing
-paper jam
-paper run out
73
what is the function of a system clock
hardware component made quartz crystal, pulsing at high frequency that synchronises data transfer between components on the motherboard
74
define cache
computing technique using a higher speed memory to store recently accessed data and instructions so that access to them is faster
75
function of cache
all types of cache aim to prevent a faster medium having its performance slowed down by waiting for dats from a slower medium
76
what are the three types of cache
-CPU cache
-Disk cache
-Web cache
77
what is the CPU cache also known as
cache memory
78
define CPU cache
high-speed memory on or close to the CPU that stores recently used data and instructions
79
where is the CPU cache located
on or close to the CPU
80
what function can not be added to the CPU cache
cache memory cannot be updated
81
how does the cache improve th CPU performance
-on/close to CPU
-stores recently accessed data and instructions
-faster than RAM
82
what is the disk cache also known as
-hard drive cache or the storage cache
83
define the disk cache
certain amount of RAM built into storage (hard drive/SSD) to use as cache which temporarily stores recently used data and files read from storage
84
where is the disk cache stored
-storage: hard drive/SSD
-RAM: small amount of system RAM used to supplement the disk cache
85
define web cache
when recently visited webpages and images are stored on the hard drive/SSD, which is used to load the webpage faster the next time the site is visited
86
where is the web cache found
hard drive/ SSD
87
explain how the web cache works
when a webpage is visited it is stored on local storage, once the page is visited for a second time, the webpage is loaded from storage which is faster than downloading from the internet
88
expand GPU
graphics processing unit
89
define GPU
hardware component that processes graphics data to generate a display
90
what is the function of the GPU
takes the graphics processing away from the CPU which allows the CPU to spend its time on other processing tasks, instead of generating graphics for display, this improves the quality of display and general performance of the computer
91
advantages of laptops with integrated GPU
-uses less power and therefore improves the battery life of the laptop
-takes up less space
92
disadvantages of laptops with integrated GPU
does not have its own VRAM and therefore uses the system RAM which will reduce the computer's performance
93
where is the integrated GPU found
integrated on motherboard or CPU
94
when will laptops with both integrated and dedicated GPU use which
-integrated until needs render high-end graphics then switch to dedicated
95
what is the function of the dedicated GPU
generates images faster than an integrated GPU, takes the graphics processing away from the CPU which allows the CPU to spend its time on other processing tasks instead of generating graphics for display. Improves quality of display and general performance of computer
96
where is the dedicated GPU FOUND
on graphics card
97
what is the motherboard slot of the graphics card
PCI-Express
98
what does the graphics card contain
-GPU
-VRAM
-sometimes a fan and heatsink
99
what is the function of the graphics card
houses the dedicated GPU, VRAM and other components which allows it to provide specialised graphics processing
100
careers that need a computer with a graphics card with GPU and VRAM
-graphics designers
-video editors
-animators
-professional gamers
-working with 3D graphics
-architects using CAD
-programmers of artificial intelligence and machine learning
101
expand VRAM
video random access memory
102
define VRAM
type of memory on a graphics card that temporarily stores image data that is processed by the GPU
103
what is the function of VRAM
-stores image data to be processed by the GPU
-VRAM has same function as RAM but for image data
-acts as buffer between CPU and graphics card, allowing for quicker access to graphics data instead of waiting for slower RAM
104
what is the identity of VRAM
6GB graphics card will have 6GB of VRAM
105
define expansion card
printed circuit boards plugged into slots on the motherboard to new functionalities to the computer
106
what is the function of the expansion card
allows a user to add extra or improved functionality to the computer by plugging an expansion card into the PCI-express slot, cheaper upgrade computer than buy new one with better specifications
107
examples of expansion cards
-graphics card
-sound card
-NIC card
-WI-FI card
108
flow of system data processing
storage-ram-cpu
109
flow of graphical data processing
-ram-vram-gpu
110
data access speed from fastest to slowest
cache-vram-ram-ssd-hard disk drive
111
define/state function of Bus
sets of wires etched on the motherboard to transport data between components connected to the motherboard, synchronised by the system clock
112
what is the unit of speed for the Bus
-MHz (megahertz)
-GHz (gigahertz)
113
what is dependent in the unit of speed for the bus
width of the bus determines amount of data it can transfer per second
114
about Bus
shared between components and therefore slower than point-to-point connectors
115
define point to point connectors
sets of wires etched on the motherboard dedicated to transport data between two components and not shared with other components
116
what is the function of point to point connectors
speed up data transmission between components with high data traffic, they are not shared with other components to speed up the operations of the CPU which improves the overall performance of the computer
117
advantages of the point to point connectors
-large amount of data being transferred between the CPU and the RAM and the point-to-point connectors speeds up the overall performance of the computer
-connections are dedicated between two components and not shared which improves the computer's performance
118
where is the point-to-point connectors found
between CPU and RAM
