1: The Modern Computer

• Desktop

  A computer that fits within a smaller container/box
• Ports


  Connection point that connects devices to extend the functionality of a computer
• CPU (Central Processing Unit)


  The brain of the computer
• RAM (Random Access Memory)

  A computer's short-term memory
• Hard Drive


  Holder of all saved data in a computer
• Motherboard


  The body/circulatory system of a computer that connects everything together
• EDB


  A row of wires that interconnect the parts of a computer
• Registers in the CPU


  Lets you store data that the CPU works with
• MCC (Memory Control Chip)


  Sends data from the RAM to the CPU in a controlled manner
• Address Bus


  Sends the address of information from the CPU to the MCC
• Clock Wire


  Gives the CPU the activation voltage when you send or receive data
• Clock Cycle


  When a voltage is sent through a clock cycle
• Clock Speed


  The maximum number of clock cycles a CPU can handle within a certain time period
• Overclocking


  The process of pushing the clock speed past the maximum
• Cache


  A small amount of recently used data that is stored via hardware or in software
• L1


  Fastest and Smallest Cache that hods data currently in use by the CPU
• L2


  It's smaller than the third Cache but faster. Holds a copy of the most recently used data that is not in use.
• L3


  Largest and Slowest Layer of Cache, but still x2 faster than RAM. They are usually shared by all the other cores in a CPU.
• Safley Overclocking a CPUCheck if the CPU can overclock

  • Safely clean the inside of the computer
  • Ensure an appropriate cooling unit is installed.
  • Follow the manufactures instructons
• Safley Overclocking a CPU


  -Check if Overclocking is supported

  -Safely clean the inside of the computer

  -Use an appropriate Cooling System

  -Follow the manufacturer's instructions
• Base CPU clock frequency


  The normal clock frequency given out by the manufacturer (usually in GHz)
• Core Frequency


  Base Frequency * # CPU core multipliers
• 3 Variables with Overclocking


  Base CPU clock Frequency

  Core Frequency

  Core Voltage
• CPU Cache


  CPU's use of a system of Cache storage to quickly get data.