Introduction to Computing M3

• What is the focus of Module 3 in the Introduction to Computing course?

  Hardware components of personal computers
• What is the purpose of differentiating among various styles of system units?

  To understand the differences in desktop computers, notebook computers, and mobile devices
• 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 are the different types of storage devices mentioned?

  Hard disk drives, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, USB flash drives, and memory cards
• What is the definition of an input unit?

  An input unit is a device that allows data to be entered into a computer
• What is the definition of an output unit?

  An output unit is a device that presents processed information from a computer
• What is the system unit?

  The case that contains electronic components of the computer 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 motherboard?

  The main circuit board of the system unit
• 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 does the control unit do?

  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 the system clock control?


  The timing of all computer operations
• What does memory consist of?

  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 states of Static RAM (SRAM)?

  Standby, reading, and writing
• How does Magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM) store data?

  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 DDR2 SDRAM?

  It operates at 8.5 GT/s and uses dual channel mode
• What is DDR3 SDRAM known for?

  It operates at lower voltages and consumes less power
• 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