Module 3

• What components are identified on a motherboard?

  Chips, adapter cards, and other components
• What are the two main components of a processor?

  The control unit and the arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
• What are the four steps in a machine cycle?

  Fetch, decode, execute, and store
• How do a port and a connector differ?

  A port is a physical interface, while a connector is the plug that fits into the port
• What is the system unit of a computer?

  A case that contains electronic components used to process data
• What components are typically found inside the system unit of a desktop personal computer?

  Drive bay(s), power supply, sound card, video card, processor, and memory
• What is the main circuit board of the system unit called?

  The motherboard
• What does a computer chip contain?

  Integrated circuits
• What is the role of the processor in a computer?

  It interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a computer
• What are the types of processors mentioned?

  Multi-core, dual-core, and quad-core processors
• What does the control unit do in a processor?

  It directs and coordinates most of the operations in the computer
• What operations does the arithmetic logic unit (ALU) perform?

  Arithmetic, comparison, and other operations
• What is the pace of the system clock called?

  Clock speed, measured in gigahertz (GHz)
• What does memory consist of in a computer?

  Electronic components that store instructions, data, and results
• What are the three basic categories of items stored in memory?

  The operating system, application programs, and data being processed
• How is memory size measured?

  In kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB), or terabytes (TB)
• What are the two types of memory in the system unit?

  Volatile memory and nonvolatile memory
• What is volatile memory?

  Memory that loses its contents when power is turned off
• What is an example of volatile memory?

  RAM
• What is nonvolatile memory?

  Memory that does not lose its contents when power is removed
• What are examples of nonvolatile memory?

  ROM, flash memory, and CMOS
• What are the three basic types of RAM chips?

  Dynamic RAM (DRAM), Static RAM (SRAM), and Magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM)
• How does Dynamic RAM (DRAM) store data?

  Each bit of data is stored in a separate capacitor within an integrated circuit
• What are the three states of Static RAM (SRAM)?

  Standby, reading, and writing
• How is data stored in Magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM)?

  Data is stored by magnetic storage elements
• What is SDRAM?

  Single Data Rate RAM
• What is DDR SDRAM?

  Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM
• What is the data transfer rate of DDR SDRAM?

  400 MT/s
• What is the data transfer rate of DDR2 SDRAM?

  1. 5 GT/s
• What is a characteristic of DDR3 SDRAM?

  Operates at lower voltages and consumes less power
• What is the data transfer rate of DDR3 SDRAM?

  12.8 GT/s
• Where do RAM chips usually reside?

  On a memory module inserted into memory slots
• What factors determine the amount of RAM necessary in a computer?

  The types of software you plan to use
• What is the purpose of memory cache?

  It speeds up processes by storing frequently used instructions and data
• What does Read-only memory (ROM) store?

  Permanent data and instructions
• What is firmware?


  Software that is permanently programmed into ROM
• What is flash memory?

  Memory that can be erased electronically and rewritten
• What is CMOS technology known for?

  Providing high speeds and consuming little power
• What is a hard disk drive (HDD)?

  A non-volatile storage device that stores data on rotating platters
• What is the main use of a DVD?

  Video and data storage