Flashcards
Computer hardware
Flashcards do conjunto (32)
- 1what does RAM stand for?Random Access Memory
- 2what does CPU stand for?Central Processing Unit
- 3what does BIOS stand for?Basic Input/Output System
- 4what name is given to memory that loses data when power is cut off?volatile memory
- 5what is the smallest unit of memory storage?bit
- 6what are the units of storage in order?bit, nibble, byte, kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte and terabyte
- 7which type of RAM needs to be refreshed?dynamic RAM
- 8which type of RAM is quickest?static RAM
- 9which type of RAM is cheapest?dynamic RAM
- 10what name is given to a fast form of RAM used by the computer for quick access to datacache
- 11does 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
- 12what is the main function of RAM?storing the data for the programs and files that you currently have open
- 13what 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
- 14what is the purpose of virtual memory?to avoid the computer/programs crashing when it runs out of RAM
- 15how 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
- 16what 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.
- 17main memory is a term often used in place of what?Random Access Memory (RAM)
- 18give an example of a magnetic storage devicehard disk drive, magnetic tape
- 19give an example of flash memoryflash drive, solid state drive, secure digital (SD) card
- 20give an example of optical storagecompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), blu ray disc
- 21what does SSD stand for?Solid State Drive
- 22what 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
- 23what 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
- 24what type of storage device is most likely to be found in a desktop computerHHD as they are cheap, reliable and have a large capacity
- 25what does clock speed refer to?the amount of instructions that a processor can carry out in one second
- 26how many instructions could a computer with a 2GHz processor carry out in one second?2 billion
- 27when talking about secondary storage, what does the term 'capacity' refer to?the amount of data that a storage device can hold
- 28when 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
- 29what is meant by the term 'quad core CPU'?it means that a computer has 4 processing chips
- 30what 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
- 31what 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
- 32what is the definition of an input device?a device used to enter data into a computer system such as a mouse or keyboard