Computer Concepts Module 3: Computer Hardware

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Brain of the computer that performs instructions defined by software

multi-core processor

a single chip with two or more separate processor cores

processor cache

A space in the CPU next to the processor itself that stores frequently used data and instructions.

Control Unit (CU)

Processor component that manages the execution of instructions during the fetch-execute cycle.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

The part of the central processing unit that performs arithmetic computations and logical operations.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Computer location where instructions and data are stored on a temporary basis. This memory is volatile.

Motherboard

A circuit board that contains all of the computer system's main components.

volatile memory

Storage (such as RAM chips) that is wiped clean when power is cut off from a device.

nonvolatile memory

Storage that retains data even when powered down (such as flash memory, hard disk, or DVD storage).

read-only memory (ROM)

Permanent storage; instructions are burned onto chips by the manufacturer.

power-on self-test (POST)

The first job the basic input/output system (BIOS) performs, ensuring that essential peripheral devices are attached and operational. This process consists of a test on the video card and video memory, a BIOS identification process (during which the BIOS version, manufacturer, and data are displayed on the monitor), and a memory test to ensure memory chips are working properly.

Firmware

Software that is permanently stored in a chip. The BIOS on a motherboard is an example of firmware.

Virtual Memory

a portion of a storage medium functioning as additional RAM

swap file

the disk space that is set aside for virtual memory

input device

A device used to enter information into a computer.

output device

allows the user to view or listen to the data a computer processes such as a monitor, printer, headphones, or speakers

binary system

a number system that has just two unique digits, 0 and 1, called bits

bit

binary digit

Byte

8 bits

ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Interchange

Unicode

A character code that enables most of the languages of the world to be symbolized with a special character identification.

hard drive

computer hardware that holds and spins a magnetic or optical disk and reads and writes information on it

Solid State Drive (SSD)

A storage device that uses the same kind of memory that flash drives use but that can reach data in only a tenth of the time a flash drive requires.

external hard drive

removable hard drive located outside of the main computer tower

Optical Media

A type of media used to store data which is read by a laser such as a CD or a DVD.

cloud storage

Internet service that provides storage to computer users

laptop

A portable computer small enough to use in your lap

peripheral device

Devices that communicate with the CPU but are not located directly on the motherboard, such as the monitor, floppy drive, printer, and mouse.

USB hub

A multiple-socket USB-connector that allows several USB-compatible devices to be connected to a computer.

keyboard

An input device that enters data with letters, numbers, symbols, and special function keys.

pointing device

Device, such as a mouse or trackball, that allows the user to select objects on the screen.

mouse

a hand-operated electronic device that controls the coordinates of a cursor on your computer screen as you move it around on a pad

touchpad

a small, flat, rectangular pointing device that is sensitive to pressure and motion

trackball

A pointing device that works like a mouse turned upside down; the ball is on top of the device.

touchscreen

A display that also serves as an input device that can be used with a special pen device or fingers.

Multitouch screens

Display screens that allow two or more fingers or other gestures such as pinching motions to be recognized as input at any one time. It allows pinching and stretching gestures on the screen to control zooming.

digital pen

Input device that allows users to write or draw on the screen by pressing the pen and issue instructions to a Tablet PC by tapping on the screen.

microphone

device for converting sound waves into electrical energy

camera

An optical instrument that uses lenses to focus light, and film to record an image of an object.

webcam

A camera that broadcast images through the Internet through a computer or web cell phone.

scanner

an electronic device that generates a digital representation of an image for data input to a computer

game controller

An input device used to play computerized games; examples include joysticks and game pads.

speakers

An output device that allows you to hear voice, music, and other sounds from your computer.

headphones

a pair of earphones typically joined by a band placed over the head, for listening to audio signals such as music or speech.

earbuds

Small speakers that rest inside each ear canal

printer

A machine that prints characters or other images on paper

projector

an optical instrument that projects an enlarged image onto a screen

Voice synthesizers

An output device that changes written computer text into synthetic speech

Plug and Play

technology that allows a hardware component to be attached to a computer so that it is automatically configured by the operating system, without user intervention

device driver

A software program that provides the instructions your computer needs to communicate with a device, such as a scanner.

clock speed

The speed, or frequency, expressed in MHz, that controls activity on the motherboard and is generated by a crystal or oscillator located somewhere on the motherboard.

bus width

determines the number of bits that the computer can transmit at one time

word size

the number of bits the processor can interpret and execute at a given time

uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

A battery power source that provides electric current during a power outage.

surge suppressor

electrical device inserted in a power line to protect equipment from sudden fluctuations in current