Computer Parts Flashcards
Study Computer Parts! (28 cards)
What does CPU stand for?
Central Processing Unit
What is the CPU and what does it do?
The brain of the computer that executes computer programs.
What steps does the CPU follow when processing information?
The CPU follows four steps when processing information:
1. Fetches an instruction from program memory.
2. Decodes and isolates information that has significance to other portions of the CPU.
3. Performs the desired operation by working with, arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and the floating point unit (FPU).
4. Writes back the results of the execute step to form memory.
What does ROM stand for?
Read Only Memory
What is ROM and what does it do?
ROM is a type of computer memory that stores permanent data and instructions for the device to startup. This information cannot be altered after it is written during the computer’s manufacturing process.
Once data is written to ROM, it becomes permanent and immutable, remaining intact even when the system is powered off. This ensures that important firmware is preserved (ROM is non-volatile).
What does RAM stand for?
Random Access Memory
What is RAM and what does it do?
RAM is a storage component for temporary storage of data and instructions that are actively utilized by the computer.
- RAM is the primary memory for running applications and processing which serves the CPU’s execution of tasks as it can quickly retrieve and modify data as needed.
Unlike ROM, RAM supports both read and write operations during normal procedure which provides fast-access to the data.
However, as volatile memory, RAM loses all stored data when the computer is powered off.
What is the Motherboard and What does it do?
The central circuit board that interconnects essential computer components, including the CPU, critical chipsets, and internal/external buses. It serves as the primary platform for facilitating communication between hardware components, ensuring efficient data transfer throughout the system. The motherboard also regulates and distributes electrical power connected to components which allow them to function.
What are Heat Sinks and what do they do?
A metal component engineered to dissipate heat and prevent overheating in the computer’s electronic components. It absorbs thermal energy generated by the CPU or other heat-producing hardware through conduction. They are also aided by cooling fans to maintain optimal operating temperatures in the system.
What are Fans and what do they do?
A small device that actively circulates air and regulates temperature within the computer case. By expelling hot air and drawing in cooler air, it helps maintain appropriate thermal conditions for the components of the computer to function in. They work in conjunction with heatsinks to prevent overheating, prolonging the lifespan of hardware parts.
What is Cache and what does it do?
A small, high-speed storage area designed to temporarily hold frequently accessed data and instructions, enabling faster retrieval by the CPU. By reducing reliance on slower main memory, cache memory significantly decreases data access time.
What are the levels of Cache?
- L1 Cache, is extremely fast but relatively small, L1 cache is embedded directly into the processor chip, providing the quickest access to critical data.
- L2 cache, or secondary cache, is Larger but slower than L1, L2 cache can be integrated within the CPU or housed on a separate chip connected via a high-speed bus that connects cache and CPU.
- L3 cache is a specialized memory developed to improve the performance of L1 and L2. L3 cache is significantly larger but slower in comparison, acting as a shared reservoir of data accessible by multiple processor cores.
What is a Hard drive and what does it do?
A physical storage device where all computer information is stored and accessed.
What are the two types of Hard drives?
- Hard Disk Drive (HDD): utilizes spinning magnetic platters and mechanical read/write head to store data. HDDs offer high storage capacities at a lower cost but are slower in read/write speed due to mechanical movement.
- Solid-State Drive (SSD): Uses flash memory to store data electronically. As a result, they provide significantly faster data access speeds and lower power consumption compared to HDDs.
What is a Power Supply and what does it do?
A critical hardware component that converts alternating current (AC) from a wall outlet into direct current (DC) to provide stable and regulated power to all computer components. The power supply unit distributes the necessary voltage and current levels to the motherboard and its components ensuring efficient operation.
What is a Video Card and what does it do?
A dedicated hardware component that generates images, animations, and videos for display on a computer monitor. It processes graphical data to produce high-quality visuals, enabling users to view content, play games, and create animations with enhanced performance. The video card houses a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and Video RAM (VRAM), which work together to accelerate the rendering of complex graphics.
What is a Sound Card and what does it do?
A hardware component that processes and converts digital audio signals into analog sound, allowing audio output to be heard through speakers or headphones. It encodes, decodes, and enhances audio data, ensuring high-quality sound reproduction for music, games, videos, and other multimedia applications.
What is a Printer and what does it do?
A printer is a device that creates physical copies of documents, images, or text by taking digital information from a computer onto paper. It uses either inkjet or laser technology to create the printed output.
Printers
What are Inkjet printers?
Inkjet printers work by spraying tiny ink droplets onto paper, making them ideal for photo and color printing.
Printers
What are Laser Printers?
Laser printers use a laser beam to transfer toner powder onto the paper.
What is a Monitor and what does it do?
A monitor is an output device that displays visual information from a computer, allowing users to interact with the system, view content, and perform tasks. Monitors create images using the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color model, combining varying intensities of these three primary colors to produce a wide spectrum of colors seen on the display.
How is the resolution of a monitored measured?
The resolution of a monitor is often measured in pixels, which determines the clarity of the displayed image, with higher resolution providing precise and detailed visuals.
What is a Scanner and what does it do?
Uses light to capture an image of a physical document, image, or object, and converts the data received into a digital format on a computer. The scanner shines light onto the document, and a sensor detects the reflected light to create a digital representation of the original. This data is then processed and turned into a file that can be stored. Scanners are commonly used for digitizing documents, photographs, and artwork, making them easier to store, share, and manipulate digitally.
What are Speakers and what do they do?
Speakers convert a computer’s digital audio signals into sound waves, enabling the playback of audio through sound-producing vibrations. When a sound card sends digital audio to the speakers, it is converted into an electrical signal that drives the speakers’ internal components, such as the diaphragm, to move and produce sound. This allows users to hear sound when listening to music, watching videos, or playing games.
