CGS2060 Ch. 1: Computer Hardware

Today's processors generally have word sizes of how many bits?

32 or 64

How much storage do Blu-ray discs have?

50 GB

How much storage do DVDs have?

8.5 GB

A processor contains what two elements?

ALU, Control Unit

Founded in 1969, their technology is featured inside every major next generation gaming console and home entertainment system.

AMD

Computers are digital devices that do what three things?

Accept input, process and store the input, provide output

ASCII ("As-key") stands for what?

American Standard Code for Information Interchange

The language with which computers communicate is called what?

Binary

Each 0 or 1 of binary is called a what?

Bit

The smallest unit of data a computer can process is a what?

Bit

A short-distance wireless communication technology that uses relatively short-wavelength radio waves that easily pass through walls, furniture, etc. when transferring data is called what?

Bluetooth

Writing data onto a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disk is called what?

Burning

Each number, special character, and letter is represented by a what?

Byte

Eight bits grouped together are called a what?

Byte

Where is cache usually located?

CPU

High-speed storage that is smaller and faster than RAM is called what?

Cache

What kind of storage is used to quickly access repeated instructions?

Cache

The amount of storage you have available to save data and information is called what?

Capacity

A processor is also called a CPU, or ______.

Central processing unit

Some refer to the system unit as the computer's what?

Chassis

Clock speed is also referred to as what?

Clock rate

The speed at which the processor performs the operations required to run a digital device and instructions executed by the digital device is called what?

Clock speed

The specialized end of a cord, plug, or expansion card that connects to a port is called a what?

Connector

Which part of a processor tells the computer's memory, ALU, and input/output devices how to respond to a program's instructions?

Control Unit

The components on the CPU that are needed for processing are referred to as a what?

Core

A (DVD-R/DVD-RW) can have data written to it one time.

DVD-R

A (DVD-R/DVD-RW) can have data erased and re-written multiple times.

DVD-RW

Stationary computers that consist of a separate case called the system unit are called what?

Desktop computers

Screen size is measured how?

Diagonally

High-speed memory used by the hard drive to store frequently accessed data is called what?

Disk cache

The ability of hardware or software to work with data and information produced by older product or software is called what?

Downward compatibility

Are optical drives and memory cards usually considered internal or external storage?

External

Is the storage that resides outside the computer (hard drives, USB, etc.) internal or external storage?

External

List the 4 steps in the machine cycle in order.

Fetch, decode, execute, store

This port, commonly found on Apple devices, are a type of Thunderbolt port that allow for up to 6 different peripherals to be connected to one device.

FireWire

A hard drive uses what to store data and information?

Fixed disk platters

1 billion bytes are in 1 _______.

Gigabyte

SSD capacity is usually measured with what unit?

Gigabytes

Capacity is usually measured with what two units?

Gigabytes, terabytes

The depictions of image data on a display or output device are called what?

Graphics

Graphics are usually created by a separate processor within the computer known as the what?

Graphics processing unit

What three colors are pixels made up of?

Green, blue, red

A standard interface for audio-video connectivity that allows for the transmission of high-definition audio and video signals is called what?

HDMI

The computer's primary storage device is called a what?

Hard drive

Clock speed is measured by what unit?

Hertz

The ability of multicore processors to execute two or more sets of instructions at the same time is called what?

Hyperthreading

What does IrDA stand for?

Infrared Data Association

Founded in 1968, this is the world's largest manufacturer of processors.

Intel

Is the storage that is integral to the computer itself (the computer's hard drive) internal or external storage?

Internal

What establishes the protocols for infrared communication transfer?

IrDA

1 thousand bytes are in 1 _____.

Kilobyte

Which level of memory cache is small and integrated into the CPU?

L1

Memory cache has what two levels?

L1, L3

Which level of memory cache is larger and next to the CPU?

L3

Mobile hinged, folding, clamshell-type computers with an integrated keyboard are called what?

Laptops

The interface that allows for connectivity of digital musical devices to computers, capable of carrying digital music signals, is called what?

MIDI

1 million bytes are in 1 _______.

Megabyte

High-speed memory used by the CPU to store frequently accessed data and instructions is called what?

Memory cache

A processor that has two or more cores responsible for processing is called a what?

Multicore processor

The maximum resolution of the display device is called the what?

Native resolution

Can most ROM be altered or removed?

No

The type of computer drive that writes and reads data using lasers and work by rotating an inserted disc are called what?

Optical drives

Running the processor faster than recommended by the manufacturer is referred to as what?

Overclocking

1,000 terabytes are in 1 ______.

Petabyte

The smallest element in an electronic image is called a what?

Pixel

Resolution is measured in what?

Pixels

A slot or hole that matches the cord or expansion card being connected to it is called a what?

Port

The brain of the computer where most calculations take place is called the what?

Processor

The most important component of a digital device is the what?

Processor

A set of rules for communication between devices that determines how data is transmitted and received is called what?

Protocol

"Main memory"- the memory used by programs to execute tasks- is also called what?

RAM

Computer memory is also referred to as what?

RAM

_____ holds the data for the CPU's use.

RAM

The storage area in a digital device that is installed by the digital device manufacturer is called what?

ROM

The clarity of an image is called what?

Resolution

Copying data from a disk and writing it onto your computer's hard drive is called what?

Ripping

The actual viewable area of a display device is referred to as what?

Screen size

Do long or short wavelength waves easily pass through walls and furniture?

Short

What kind of processor has only one core?

Single core processor

These are all-electronic storage devices that have no moving parts, making them faster and more durable than hard drives.

Solid state drive

The ______ houses the main components of a desktop computer.

System unit

The peripheral devices of desktop computers (monitor, keyboard, mouse) are all connected to the what?

System unit

Highly mobile computers with touchscreen technology as the main input method are called what?

Tablets

Is RAM permanent or temporary?

Temporary

1 trillion bytes are in 1 _______.

Terabyte

True or false: SSD capacity is one of the most determinant factors of price for tablets and smartphones.

True

True or false: because of it's size, a desktop allows for relatively easy hardware upgrades.

True

True or false: memory is comprised of solid state electronics with no moving parts.

True

True or false: most laptops come with the capability of having more memory added.

True

True or false: tablets have a smaller OS than laptops, making them less powerful.

True

True or false: the GPU has its own memory.

True

The type of interface that allows for communication, data transfer, and electrical charge between digital devices is called what?

USB

This- also called a graphics adapter- performs graphics processing and creates video output.

Video card

A wireless local area network is called what?

WiFi

These allow for the transmission of data between fixed and mobile devices using short-range radio waves or light waves.

Wireless ports

The amount of data a processor can hold and process at one time is called what?

Word size

Do laptops come with a full operating system?

Yes

When using storage devices, does data remain intact when the computer is turned off?

Yes

A wireless connection that uses infrared (relatively long) radio waves to transmit data is called what?

irda

Computer memory (RAM) is found in microchips that are located where?

motherboard