Components of the Computer

Bytes

are what manufacturers use to state the size of memory available for storage. Gigabyte (GB) Approximately 1 billion bytes. Terabyte (TB) Approximately 1 trillion bytes.

Port-(Also be able to identify types of Ports)

connection point or interface between a computer and an external or internal device,UBS port,audio,video,monitor

Dynamic Ram

(DRAM) must be reenergized constantly or it will lose its contents.

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.

Gigahertz

(GHz) equals one billion ticks per second

ROM

(Read Only Memory) refers to memory chips storing permanent data and instructions. Read only means that the chip cannot be modified, is nonvolatile meaning their contents are not lost when power is removed from the computer.

Static Ram

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

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.

Video Card

(graphics card) converts computer output into a video signal traveling through a cable to the monitor to be displayed on the screen.

Terabyte

1 trillion bytes

Bits

8 bits make a byte

Firmware

Rom chips called firmware contain permanently written data, instructions and information such as a computer's start up instructions.

Batteries

Run mobile computers or devices if not run by power supply

Motherboard

Sometimes called a system board. This is the main circuit board of the computer. The processor, memory and other components attached to the motherboard.

Adapters

The circuitry in today's computers generally integrates all necessary functionality, but some still require additional capabilities in the form of adapters.

Registers

are small high-speed storage locations contained in the processor that temporarily hold data and instructions

Rom chips

firmware that contain permanent written data, instructions and information such as a computer's startup instructions.

Executing

the process of carrying out the commands.

Fetching

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

Chip

An integrated circuit that can contain millions of elements: resistors, capacitors & transistors.

The System Clock

A small quartz crystal circuit that controls the timing of all computer operations. the system clock generates regular electronic pulses, or ticks that set the operating pace of components of the system unit.

Memory Access Time

Access time is the amount of time it takes the processor to read data, instructions and information from memory. Access time directly affects how fast the computer processes data; accessing data in memory can be 200,000 time or more faster than accessing data on a hard disk. A variety of terminology is used today to state access times; some using fractions of a second.

CMOS

Complementary Metal-Oxide Semi-conductor .CMOS uses battery power to retain information even when the power is off. Battery-backed CMOS memory chips can keep the calendar, date and time current even when the computer is off. Flash memory often uses CMOS technology to store a computer's start-up information.

The Arithmetic Logic unit

Component of the processor Performs arithmetic, comparison and other operations. Includes basic calculations known as arithmetic operations: + - * / Comparison operations compares on data to another like > = < An example of comparison operations would be software calculating employee pay: regular vs. overtime

USB

Connects to high-speed USB ports

Clock Cycle

Each tick

Adapter Cards-identify types

Known as an expansion card or adapter board; is a circuit board that enhances the functions of a component providing connections to peripheral devices. An expansion slot is a socket on a desktop or server motherboard that can hold an adapter card. Two popular adapter cards are sound and video cards.

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.

Front Side Bus

Look at Type of Buses

System Bus

Look at type of Buses

Backside Bus

Look at type of buses

Memory

Memory stores three basic items: The OS and other programs that control or maintain the computer Applications that carry out a specific task, such as word processing The data being processed by the applications and the resulting information

Flash Memory

Nonvolatile memory that can be erased electronically and rewritten. Computers use flash memory to hold their start-up instructions as it allows the computer to update contents easily like changing from daylight savings time to standard time. Flash memory chips store data and programs on mobile devices and peripheral devices like smartphones and printers. Memory cards contain flash memory instead of on a chip for removable devices.

Plug and Play

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. This technology permits computers to connect and communicate with devices easily but also creates security flaws that allow hackers to take control of things such as: security systems, routers, Smart TVs, printers, webcams and any other device connected to the Internet. "40-50 million devices are susceptible to remote attacks." ~ Rapid7, security firm

RAM

Random Access Memory, also called main memory, consists of memory chips that can be read from and written to.

Types of Buses

System bus also called the front side bus (FSB) is part of the motherboard connecting the processor to the main memory. The backside bus (BSB) connects the processor to the cache. The expansion bus allows the processor to communicate with peripheral devices. When the term bus is used by itself, it is usually referring to the system bus, front side bus (FSB).

Power Supply(AC/DC)

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. A fan is build into the power supply to keep the power supply cool. Different motherboards and devices require different wattages on the power supply. The computer will not function properly if the power supply is not providing necessary power. AC adapters are used for some external peripheral devices such as: cable modem, speakers, printer.

Machine Cycle

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

Addressable Memory

To access data or instructions, the computer references the addresses that contain bytes of data.

Transistor

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

Bus Width

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

Non-Volatile Memory

does not lose its content when power is removed. It is permanent memory: ROM, flash memory, CMOS

Sound Card

enhances the sound-generating capabilities of a personal computer; allowing sound to be input through a microphone and output through speakers or headphones.

Storing

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

Central Processing Unit(Processor)

interprets and carries out basic instructions that operates a computer.

Control Unit

interprets and executes instructions in memory

Multi-core processor

is a single chip with two or more separate processor cores. Used in all sizes of computers.

Heat Sink

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

Expansion Slot

is a socket on a desktop or server motherboard that can hold an adapter card.

Cache

is a temporary storage area. Two types-Memory cache memory store frequently used instruction and data and a processor searches memory in this order:l1,l2,l3,and RAM

Volatile Memory

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

Chassis

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

Decoding

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

Data Bus

transfers the data

Address Bus

transfers the information and tells the data where it should reside in the 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.