4200646
| Question | Answer |
| what does RAM stand for? | Random Access Memory |
| what does CPU stand for? | Central Processing Unit |
| what does BIOS stand for? | Basic Input/Output System |
| what name is given to memory that loses data when power is cut off? | volatile memory |
| what is the smallest unit of memory storage? | bit |
| what are the units of storage in order? | bit, nibble, byte, kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte and terabyte |
| which type of RAM needs to be refreshed? | dynamic RAM |
| which type of RAM is quickest? | static RAM |
| which type of RAM is cheapest? | dynamic RAM |
| what name is given to a fast form of RAM used by the computer for quick access to data | cache |
| does RAM retain the data stored on it when power is cut off? | No. RAM is volatile which means that it requires power to retain data |
| what is the main function of RAM? | storing the data for the programs and files that you currently have open |
| what is the main function of ROM? | ROM is a special kind of memory which stores the instructions which the computer uses when it 'boots up' - the BIOS (basic input output system). It is non volatile |
| what is the purpose of virtual memory? | to avoid the computer/programs crashing when it runs out of RAM |
| how does virtual memory work? | virtual memory uses a section of the hard disk drive (HDD) as a temporary storage for data that is not currently being used. This avoids the computer crashing but means that when a user wants to access this data it can be slow to retrieve it |
| what is cache memory? | Cache is type of computer memory which can be accessed much faster than RAM. The CPU looks in the cache for the data it needs. If the data is there, it will retrieve it and process it. If the data is not there, then the CPU accesses the system memory and then puts a copy of the new data in the cache before processing it. |
| main memory is a term often used in place of what? | Random Access Memory (RAM) |
| give an example of a magnetic storage device | hard disk drive, magnetic tape |
| give an example of flash memory | flash drive, solid state drive, secure digital (SD) card |
| give an example of optical storage | compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), blu ray disc |
| what does SSD stand for? | Solid State Drive |
| what is cloud storage? | cloud storage is a service offered by companies who will give/rent space for you to save data on their secure servers. This allows you to access your files from any device with an internet connection along with sharing data |
| what storage device would most likely be found in an e-reader, such as a Kindle? | SSD as it is light, small and robust. E-books do not take up a lot of space so only a small SSD is usually required |
| what type of storage device is most likely to be found in a desktop computer | HHD as they are cheap, reliable and have a large capacity |
| what does clock speed refer to? | the amount of instructions that a processor can carry out in one second |
| how many instructions could a computer with a 2GHz processor carry out in one second? | 2 billion |
| when talking about secondary storage, what does the term 'capacity' refer to? | the amount of data that a storage device can hold |
| when talking about secondary storage, what does the terms 'read speed' and 'write speed' refer to? | the speed at which data can be transferred to the device and the speed at which it can be transferred from the device |
| what is meant by the term 'quad core CPU'? | it means that a computer has 4 processing chips |
| what would be the likely effects of adding more RAM to a computer? | it would likely increase the speed at which the computer runs and allow the user to carry out more tasks/have more programs open at once |
| what is the definition of an output device? | a device used to communicate the results of data processing by a computer, such as a monitor or printer |
| what is the definition of an input device? | a device used to enter data into a computer system such as a mouse or keyboard |
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