Computing Hardware

Computing Hardware

1. CPU (Central Processing Unit)

   • Control Unit
     • Manages the execution of the instructions.
   • ALU
     • Performs mathematical and logical computations.
     • Arithmetic and Logic Unit
   • Registers
     • Storage locations.
       • Example: Program counter (which contains the location of the current instruction.)
   • Communicates with other components such as memory through bundles of signal wires called buses.
   • Has to be cooled by a fan.
   • Overclocking could shorten the CPU's lifetime and will make it produce more heat.

2. RAM

   • This is where instructions and data are stored.
   • Instructions are decoded by the contol unit and passes to the ALU to carry out the instruction.

3. Cache Memory

   • An area of memory used to store regularly used items so they can be loaded quickly.
     • It can also be accessed quickly by the CPU
   • Web browsers save web pages here when they are first opened.
   • It is much faster than RAM.

4. Clock Speed

   • Measured in Hertz.
     • Higher Hertz, quicker the processing.

5. Clock Chip.

   • A device inside the computer that controls the timing of the signals by sending out pulses.

6. The more cores a computer has, the faster it runs.

7. Fetch - Decode - Execute