Computer Hardware

Question 1

What is a computer?

Answer 1

An electronic device that uses digitalized data, software and hardware components to perform various functions such as running applications, storing and processing data.

Question 2

Relationship between Hardware, System Software and Application Software.

Answer 2

Draw the diagram

Question 3

System Software

Answer 3

Facilitates the connection between the hardware and the application software.

Question 4

Where does the Application Software run?

Answer 4

System Software

Question 5

Application Software Layer

Answer 5

Is used to run specific software applications that are optionally available to download later.

Question 6

Hardware

Answer 6

Devices that contribute to completing the user’s task.

Question 7

Motherboard

Answer 7

Is the spine of the Computer that works like a circuit.

Question 8

Function of the Motherboard

Answer 8

Facilitates the communication between the CPU and other hardware components, storage devices and peripheral Hard-disks.

Question 9

ATX

Answer 9

Advanced Technology eXtended

Question 10

Purpose of ATX

Answer 10

It is a standard that specifies the physical dimensions, mounting points, and correct standards of components to ensure compatibility with devices.

Question 11

Parts of the Motherboard

Answer 11

• RAM Slot
• Chipset
• CPU
• GPU
• Cable Ports

Question 12

Function of RAM Slot

Answer 12

Used when extending the RAM with a new RAM card.

Question 13

Which is the ideal RAM Slot to insert the first RAM card and why?

Answer 13

The slot closest to the CPU for easier access therefore better performance.

Question 14

Which is the ideal RAM Slot to insert the later inserted RAM cards and why?

Answer 14

The slot that has the same color of the initially picked slot.

This is due to the dual channeling where there is parallel access between the RAM and CPU.

Question 15

What is DDR?

Answer 15

Double Data Rate - its a type of RAM.

Question 16

Features of DDR

Answer 16

Doubles the data transfer rate by allowing the transfer of data on the rising and falling edge of the clock cycle.

Question 17

What is the latest version of DDR?

Answer 17

DDR5

Question 18

Chipset

Answer 18

Is integrated onto the Motherboard and controls the data flow between the hardware and the (CPU and Motherboard).

Question 19

Types of Chips

Answer 19

• Northern Bridge
• Southern Bridge

Question 20

Function of the Northern Bridge

Answer 20

Facilitates the high speed communication between the RAM, CPU and Graphic Card.

Question 21

Location of the Northern Bridge

Answer 21

Directly connected to the CPU.

Question 22

Function of the Southern Bridge

Answer 22

Facilitates the communication between the CPU and peripheral devices.

Question 23

Location of the Southern Bridge

Answer 23

Housed in the Platform Controller Hub

Question 24

Function of Control Unit

Answer 24

Provides instructions and produces control signals to coordinate the communication between the other CPU components, memory modules and hardware.

Question 25

GPU

Answer 25

Is a circuit that accelerates the process of generating images and videos in computers.

Question 26

Functions of the GPU

Answer 26

- Rendering Graphics - Displaying images and graphics

Question 27

RTX

Answer 27

Real Time Ray Tracing

Question 28

What is RTX?

Answer 28

It is a rendering technique that stimulate how light interacts with objects.

Question 29

Differentiate CPU from GPU

Answer 29

- Is non specific about tasks. - Fewer Cores - Very Powerful Cores - Sequential processing - Higher Clock Speed

Question 30

Differentiate GPU from CPU

Answer 30

- Is specific to graphical content - High number of Cores - Less Powerful Cores - Parallel Processing - Slower Clock speed

Question 31

Von Neumann Computer Architecture

Answer 31

- Is a stored program structure. - It is a fixed programming device that can perform only one task.

Question 32

Stored Program Strucure

Answer 32

Instruction set that can be saved on the computer.

Question 33

What does the Von Neumann comprise of?

Answer 33

- CPU - I/O Units - Store (Memory)

Question 34

Von Neuman Diagram

Answer 34

Draw the diagram

Question 35

What does the CPU consist of?

Answer 35

- CU - ALU - Registers - Buses

Question 36

What are the CPU Registers?

Answer 36

- IR (Instruction Register) - IMR (Instruction Memory Register) - ACC (Accumulator)

Question 37

Function of the ALU

Answer 37

Processes and executes the instructions.

Question 38

Function of the Store/Memory

Answer 38

Shared Memory location to store both the Data and Instructions.

Question 39

Function of the I/O Units

Answer 39

- Reads user inputs - Provides user with outputs

Question 40

Types of Buses

Answer 40

- Control Bus - Address Bus - Data Bus

Question 41

Control Bus

Answer 41

Sends control signals to the Store/Memory and I/O Units. Is Uni-directional.

Question 42

Address Bus

Answer 42

Transfers the memory address between the CU and Memory. Is Bi-directional.

Question 43

Data Bus

Answer 43

Transfers data and instructions between the CU & Memory and the CU & I/O Units. Is Bi-directional

Question 44

What is the issue that the Von Neumann structure faces?

Answer 44

The Bottle Neck issue.

Question 45

Bottle Neck Issue

Answer 45

Has limiting factors: - Only one data bus to transfer both data and instructions - One location for both the data and instructions Due to those factors, the long waiting time cannot be handled by the CU.

Question 46

CPU Cycle

Answer 46

1. CU fetches the instruction from the Memory. 2. The CU decodes the instruction. 3. The ALU executes the instruction. 4. Results are stored in the memory (optional).

Question 47

What is the issue with the old CPU Cycle?

Answer 47

It cannot execute multiple instructions simultaneously because there is only one pathway between the memory and CPU.

Question 48

Interrupt

Answer 48

It is a signal that is sent to the processor to temporarily halt execution to address a higher priority task. Once the task has been handled, the processor will resume it's previous activities.