Module 3 - Unit 1 - Using Computer Hardware Flashcards
What is a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and what does it do?
A device that processes software programmed instructions and directs other components to perform actions.
What is a computer system memory? Name one technology that is being used currently.
This is where temporary instructions from a software is stored. Having more system memory allow more programs to run simultaneously as well as working on large files more efficiently. The current technology for system memory in a computer is called Random Access Memory (RAM).
What is the purpose of a Front Side Bus? And how does this affect the speed of the computer?
Establish the connection between the system memory and the CPU where temporary stored instructions are ‘piped’ to-and-fro the CPU. The faster the instructions is communicated to the CPU, the better. When the CPU is fast and the memory is slow, the CPU will be under-utilized.
What is the purpose of a fixed disk in a computer? Name two main types of fixed disk that is used in a computer currently.
Fixed disk will allow programs and data to be stored on the computer while the computer is turned off. There are currently two commercially used fixed disk: Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and Solid State Drive (SSD). The computer may also use the fixed disk to supplement the system RAM (virtual memory) when there is not enough system RAM.
How does a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) operates?
A fixed disk that uses a magnetic disk technology, it wears out overtime as there are moving parts within this disk.
How does a Solid State Drive (SSD) operates?
A fixed disk that uses a transistor-base memory called flash memory and is faster and more durable than fixed disk that uses the magnetic disk technology.
When does a computer need a Graphic Processing Unit (GPU)?
A dedicated processor that processes high resolution images, video, complex 3D and texture effects, as well as video memory. Computers that require to perform graphic intensive activities will need to have this equip.
Name two main ways computers can be connected to each other.
Computers will require an interface to connect to each other. When they do, it is called a computer network. There are two main ways computers can be connected: Wired Networks and Wireless Networks.
What do you use a Network Interface Card (NIC) for?
A hardware component in the computer that manages the connections to other computers. It is normally installed onto the motherboard (onboard card) although it can also come as a separate–add on–cards.
How does a wired network between computers work?
Computers can be connected to each other or to the internet using a wire. This type of connection is referred to as Ethernet. In a larger scale of networks, a ethernet switch will be required to managed all different connections. The ethernet cable is known as RJ-45.
How does a wireless network between computers work?
Most mobile computing device comes installed with a wireless radio networking hardware component where it allows the computer to be connected to each other or the internet via radio signals in the air. These hardware components are called Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) adapters.
What are the functions of a internet router and where is it most widely used?
Designed for home use and combines the functions of an Internet modem, bridge, router, ethernet switch and Wi-Fi access point.
What is technically a motherboard and what role does it play in a computer?
A motherboard is a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) with some built-in processors (the chipset), sockets and slots for upgradable components (CPU, RAM, adapter cards, disk drives), and wires (buses) to connect them together. If a component is not compatible with the motherboard, it cannot be installed. Most motherboard chipsets support graphics, audio, and network adapter functions. These components/functions can be upgraded by switching out for a newer adapters/cards
What core components is microprocessor made of? And how its structure functions?
A programmable integrated circuit–a sillicon chip embedded on a ceramic plate. A silicon chip is a wafer or purified silicon doped with a metal oxide, typically copper or aluminum. The doping process creates millions of transistors and signal pathways within an area called the die, which provide the electrical on/off states that are the basis of binary computer systems.
Which one component that is widely used in computer that it needs to be equip in order to communicated with other computers?
Computers will require a hardware component called the Network Interface Card (NIC) without which a computer cannot be connected over a network.
Name 6 Intel CPU brands and briefly describe its use and features
i) Core - Intel’s flagship desktop and mobile CPUs
ii) Pentium - Used to be a premium brand for computers, but now used in “mid-range” CPU models
iii) Celeron - Intel’s budget brand
iv) Atom - Designed for low-power portable devices
v) Xeon - Used in server or workstation devices
Name 2 AMD CPU brands and briefly describe its use and features
i) Ryzen - AMD flagship and high end segment
ii) Epyc - Used in servers
What is the common microarchitecture used by mobile phones/tablet?
ARM-based CPUs. ARM stand for Advanced RISC Machine where RISC stands for “Reduced Instructions Set Computing”. \033[42masdf\033[40m
Briefly define the processes of how a CPU executes code given a fundamental set of instructions in 3 steps?
1) The Control Unit fetches the next instruction in sequence from system memory to the pipeline.
2) The Control Unit then decodes each instruction and either executes it itself or passess it to the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) or Floating Point Unit (FPU) for execution
3) The results of the executed instruction is written back to a register or a system memory. A register is a temporary storage area available tot he different units within the CPU.
How much system memory can a 32-bit and a 64-bit system address respectively?
A 32-bit system can address up to 4GB of memory whereas a 64 bit system can address up to 256TB of memory.
Define the CPU’s clock speed in one sentence
A CPU clock speed is the number of instructions it can process in one second measured in Hertz (Hz).
True or False. Both CPU with the same microarchitecture can be compared in terms of varying clock speed.
True. CPU with the same microarchitecture can be compared but not necessarily otherwise.
Contrast between Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP) and Chip Level Multiprocessing (CMP)
SMP is the approach by having 2 or more physical CPUs connected to each other and provides double the processing resource, making programs run simultaneously depending on which CPU is available. CMP is the approach where two or more processors are combined on the same die, not only is cost efficient but save space on a motherboard.
What is a ‘bus’ in computer?
A bus is circuitry that connects the various microprocessors and other components on the motherboard. The circuitry are imprinted on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). A bus transport 4 things:
