Components Of The Computer

SIMMs

(Single Inline Memory Module) which has pins on opposite sides of the circuit board that connect together to form a single set of contacts.

Adapter Cards - types

-Type Purpose -Bluetooth Enables Bluetooth connectivity -MIDI Connects to musical instruments Modem Connects to transmission media, such as cable television lines or phone lines -Network Provides network connections, such as to an Ethernet port Sound Connects to speakers or a microphone TV tuner Allows viewing of digital television broadcasts on a monitor USB Connects to high-speed USB ports Video Provides enhanced graphics capabilities, such as accelerated processing or the ability to connect a second monitor Video Capture Connects to a video camera

Bits

8 bits per bytes A small piece part or quality of something.

Processor

Contains a control unit and an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) that works to gather to preform processing operation.

Video Card(graphics card)

Converts computer output in [to a video signal traveling through a cable to the monitor to be displayed on the screen.

Bus Width

Determines the amount of bits that the computer can transmit at one time.

DIMMs

Dual In-line Memory Module) is when the pins are on opposite sides of the circuit board and do not connect thus forming two sets of contacts.

Sound Card

Enhances the sound-generating capabilities of personal computer: allows sound to input through microphone and output through speakers or headphones.

Gigahertz

Equal to 1 billion and hertz is one cycle per second. million ticks per second.

Batteries

The power supply or laptop adapter converts the wall outlet AC (Alternating Current) power into DC (Direct Current) power because the standard wall outlet supplies and unsuitable power.

Machine Cycle

The processor repeats a set of four basic operations for every instruction: Fetching Decoding Executing Storing (if necessary)

Cache

There are two common types of cache: Memory cache stores frequently used instructions and data.

Addressable Memory

a unique number that identifies the location of a byte in memory. To access data or instructions, the computer reference the addresses that contain bytes of data.

Transistor

acts as an electronic switch that opens or closes the circuit for electrical charges.

Flash Memory

chips store data and programs on mobile devices and peripheral devices like smartphones and printers. Flash memory often uses CMOS technology to store a computer's start-up information.

Memory

consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed by the processor, data needed by by those instructions and the results of processing the data. consists of one or more chips on the motherboard or other circuit board.

Power Supply (AC/DC)

he power supply or laptop adapter converts the wall outlet AC (Alternating Current) power into DC (Direct Current) power because the standard wall outlet supplies and unsuitable power.

Storing

in this context of machine cycle, storing is writing the result to memory (not to a storage medium).

Volatile Memory

loses its contents when power is removed. Memory is temporary, RAM.

Dynamic Ram

must be reenergized constantly or it will lose its contents.

Backside Bus

onnects the processor to the cache. The expansion bus allows the processor to communicate with peripheral devices.

Decoding

refers to the process of translating the instruction into signals the computer can execute.

Front Side Bus

s part of the motherboard connecting the processor to the main memory.

Executing

the process of carrying out the commands.

Fetching

the process of obtaining a program or an application instruction or data item from memory.

Liquid cooling technology

uses continuous flow of fluids like water or glycol to reduce the temperature of the processor by transferring the heated fluid away from the processor to a radiator-type grill which then cools the liquid and returns it cooled to the processor.

ROM

Read Only Memory) Read only means that the chip cannot be modified,included in peripheral devices like printers that may contain data for fonts on the ROM chips.

Chassis

Refers to the cases on a desktop that contains and protects the motherboard, hard drive, memory and other electronic components.

Bytes

A byte known as a character, is the basic storage unit in memory. each byte temporarily resides in a location in memory that has an address.

Processor Cooling

A main fan is included in the main power supply of a computer to generate airflow, however, today's computers processors often require additional cooling.

The System Clock

A small quartz crystal circuit that controls the timing of all computer operations.

Expansion Slot

A socket on a desktop or server motherboard that can hold an adapter cards.

Memory Access Time

Access time is the amount of time it takes the processor to read data, instructions and information from memory.

Gigabyte

Approximately 1 billion bytes.

Terabyte

Approximately 1 trillion bytes.

Computer Chip

Can contain millions of elements; resistors, capacitors & million, billion transistor.

CMOS

Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) provides high speeds and consumes little power which is why some RAM chips and flash memory chips utilize it. uses battery power to retain information even when the power is off. Battery-backed CMOS

Central Processing Unit

Interprets and carries out basic instructions that operates a computer.

Control Unit

Interprets and executes instruction in memory.

L1, L2, L3 Cache

Level 1 (L1) cache is built directly on the processor chip and has very small capacity Level 2 (L2) is slower than L1 but has much larger capacity. A type of L2 cache is the ATC (Advanced transfer cache) built directly on the processor chip. Level 3 (L3) cache is separate from the processor chip on the motherboard and exists only on computers that use L2 ATC. A processor searches memory in this order: L1, L2, L3 (if exists), RAM.

USB

Mobile computers typically do not have expansion slots due to their smaller size, but users can purchase a USB adapter. USB adapters can be used to add memory, communications, multimedia, security or storage.

Non-Volatile Memory

Nonvolatile memory that can be erased electronically and rewritten. Memory cards contain flash memory instead of on a chip for removable devices.

The Arithmetic Logic Unit

Performs calculation on the data in memory includes + - * /. Component of the processor,

Clock Cycle

Processors are typically superscalar which means they can execute more than one instruction per clock cycle.

RAM

Random Access Memory,(main memory) consists of memory chip that can be read from and written to.

Multi-core processor

Single chip with two or more separate processor cores, use for all sizes computer.

Heat Sink

Small ceramic or metal component with fans on its surface that absorbs and disperses heat produced by electrical components.

Registers

Small high-speed storage location contained in the processor temporarily hold data and instruction.

Static Ram

Static RAM (SRAM) are faster and more reliable and do not have to be reenergized and are much more expensive.

System Bus

System bus also called the front side bus (FSB) is part of the motherboard connecting the processor to the main memory.

Types of Buses

System bus also called the front side bus (FSB) is part of the motherboard connecting the processor to the main memory.

Plug and Play

Technology refers to the computer's ability to automatically recognize peripheral devices as you install them. This means that you can begin using a device as soon as you plug it in.

Address Bus

The address bus transfers the information and tells the data where it should reside in the memory.

Adapters

The circuitry in today's computers generally integrates all necessary functionality, but some still require additional capabilities in the form of adapters. Desktops and servers use adapter cards and mobile devices use USB.

Data Bus

The data bus transfers the data.

Motherboard

The main circuit of a computer., processor, and memory attach with it.