Topic 2 - Computer Hardware

Question	Answer
Explain the term hardware.	Hardware is the term that describes the physical components of a computer system.
What are hardware components?	Hardware components include input, output, storage and processing devices.
All data and instructions are stored in RAM, as?	Binary numbers.
What is the computer architecture?	The architecture is the logical structure and organisation of the computer hardware.
What does the CPU stand for, and what is it's function in the computer?	The CPU stands for 'Central Processing Unit', and its primary function is to carry out all the processing in the computer.
What does ALU stand for, and what is it's function in the computer?	ALU stands for 'Arithmetic and Logic Unit', and it carries out all of the arithmetic and logical operations.
What is the control unit's function in the computer?	It uses electrical signals to control the flow of data within the CPU.
Explain the fetch-execute cycle.	Step 1. Fetch the instruction from memory. Step 2. Decode the instruction to find out what processing to do. Step 3. Execute the instruction.
What is the boot sequence?	The boot sequence is a sequence of processes that contains all the information and instructions to get the computer up and running.
What is a boot loader?	A boot loader is a program that starts the boot sequence when the computer is switched on.
What happens after the boot sequence is completed?	After the boot sequence is completed, control is handed to the operating system to provide the programs for the CPU to process.
Give an three examples of how fast the CPU can process data.	- the CPU clock speed (processor speed) - Cache memory - The number of processor cores.
Explain what CPU clock speed is.	The speed of the fetch-execute cycle which is determined by an electronic clock chip.
Explain the term hertz.	The unit used to measure the clock speed of the CPU, which is measured in cycles per second.
Explain the term gigahertz.	The unit used to measure the processor speed, which is measured in billions of cycles per second (GHz).
Explain what cache memory is.	Cache memory, also called CPU memory, is random access memory (RAM) that a computer microprocessor can access more quickly than it can access regular RAM.
Why is the cache memory important?	The main reason cache is important is that it increases the real speed of a processor by providing the processor with data more quickly.
Give both an advantage and disadvantage of having multiple processor cores.	Advantage - More data is processed simultaneously. Disadvantage - More complicated operating systems are needed to manage them.
State on advantage and one disadvantage of a dual core processor over a single-core processor.	Advantage - More total performance from dividing information for processing and less energy used. Disadvantage - Single-core processors can also get better battery life than a dual-core processor because the single-core processor uses less electricity to operate.
What is 'RAM'?	RAM stands for 'Random Access Memory'; it s a fast temporary type of memory in which programs, applications and data are stored.
Give two or more examples of what's stored in RAM.	- The operating system - Applications - The graphical user interface (GUI)
What is 'ROM'?	ROM stands for 'Read-Only Memory'; it is memory that cannot be changed by a program or user. ROM retains its memory even after the computer is turned off.
Give two or more examples of features of RAM.	- Volatile (data is lost when the power is turned off) - Can be accessed and changed any time - Stores programs and data being used by the computer - Contains the operating system -Large (4GB or more in a typical computer)
Give two or more examples of features of ROM.	- Non volatile. - Programmed during computer manufacture. - Stores instructions and data required to start the computer. - Contains the boot program. - Small (1 or 2 MB needed for boot program).
What is virtual memory?	Virtual memory is part of the hard drive used as an extension to RAM. It is used when the computer does not have enough RAM to hold all the data required.
What effect does virtual and main memory have on processing speed?	Adding more memory increases his performance. If there isn't enough room in memory for all the information the CPU needs, the computer has to set up what's known as a virtual memory file. This process is known as 'swapping', and slows the system down.
Why does a computer have both ROM and RAM?	hen a CPU is powered up, it needs to start executing program instructions, these can only come from ROM initially. In a PC, this program in the ROM is called the BIOS, its main job is to know where to find the operating system on the disk and load it into RAM, it then passes control to the operating system.
How would installing extra RAM affect the use of virtual memory and what effect does this have on the performance of the computer?	Installing extra RAM would reduce the use of virtual memory and this improves the performance of the computer as access to virtual memory is slower than access to the RAM.
What is flash memory?	Flash memory is a type of ROM that can be rewritten. Flash memory is used as a portable medium for storing and transferring data.
Give three examples of flash memory.	- A USB Memory stick. - A Solid state drive (used in portable computers). - Memory cards (used in cameras).
What are the three main logic gates?	- AND - OR - NOT
What features does the AND gate have?	The AND gate is an electronic circuit that gives a high output, only if all its inputs are high. A dot is used to show the AND operation i.e. A.B. Bear in mind that this dot is sometimes omitted i.e. AB
What features does the OR gate have?	The OR gate is an electronic circuit that gives a high output if one or more of its inputs are high. A plus (+) is used to show the OR operation.
What features does the NOT gate have?	The NOT gate is an electronic circuit that produces an inverted version of the input at its output. It is also known as an inverter. If the input variable is A, the inverted output is known as NOT A. This is also shown as A', or A with a bar over the top, as shown at the outputs. The diagrams below show two ways that the NAND logic gate can be configured to produce a NOT gate. It can also be done using NOR logic gates in the same way.
What is 'NAND' gate, and what features does it have?	This is a NOT-AND gate which is equal to an AND gate followed by a NOT gate. The outputs of all NAND gates are high if any of the inputs are low. The symbol is an AND gate with a small circle on the output. The small circle represents inversion.
What is a 'NOR' gate and what features does it have?	This is a NOT-OR gate which is equal to an OR gate followed by a NOT gate. The outputs of all NOR gates are low if any of the inputs are high. The symbol is an OR gate with a small circle on the output. The small circle represents inversion.
What is an 'EXOR' gate and what features does it have?	The 'Exclusive-OR' gate is a circuit which will give a high output if either, but not both, of its two inputs are high. An encircled plus sign () is used to show the EOR operation.
What is an 'EXNOR' gate and what features does it have?	The 'Exclusive-NOR' gate circuit does the opposite to the EOR gate. It will give a low output if either, but not both, of its two inputs are high. The symbol is an EXOR gate with a small circle on the output. The small circle represents inversion. The NAND and NOR gates are called universal functions since with either one the AND and OR functions and NOT can be generated.

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Topic 2 - Computer Hardware

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