Discovering Computers 2018 - Module 6: Computing Components

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the components of computing systems including processors, memory, data representation, adapters, and power architecture from Module 6 of Discovering Computers 2018.

Case

The frame or housing that contains and protects the electronics of the computer or mobile device from damage.

Motherboard

The main circuit board of the computer that connects and houses system components.

Computer Chip

A small piece of semiconducting material, usually silicon, on which integrated circuits are etched.

Processor (CPU)

Also called the Central Processing Unit; the electronic component that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a computer.

Multi-Core Processor

A single chip that contains two or more separate processor cores.

Control Unit (CU)

The component of the processor that directs and coordinates most of the operations in the computer, decides the sequence of operations, and interprets program instructions.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

The component of the processor that performs arithmetic, comparison, and other operations.

Machine Cycle

The set of four basic operations repeated by a processor for every instruction: fetch, decode, execute, and store.

Registers

Small, high-speed storage locations within the processor that temporarily hold data and instructions.

System Clock

A circuit that controls the timing of all computer operations.

Clock Speed

The pace of the system clock, commonly measured in gigahertz ($\text{GHz}$).

Heat Sink

A cooling component designed to absorb and disperse heat generated by electrical components such as the processor chip to prevent overheating.

Analog Signal

A continuous signal that varies in strength and quality.

Digital Signal

An electrical signal that exists in one of two discrete states: on or off.

Binary System

A numbering system that uses two unique digits ($0$ and $1$) to represent electronic states.

Bit

Short for binary digit; the smallest unit of data a computer can process, represented as a $0$ or a $1$.

Byte

A group of $8\text{ bits}$ that functions as a unit to represent a single character in a computer or mobile device.

Memory

Electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed by the processor, data needed by those instructions, and the results of processing the data.

Volatile Memory

A type of memory that loses its contents when the computer's power is turned off (e.g., RAM).

Nonvolatile Memory

A type of memory that does not lose its contents when power is removed from the computer (e.g., ROM, flash memory, and CMOS).

RAM (Random Access Memory)

A common type of volatile memory consisting of memory chips that can be read from and written to by the processor and other devices.

Memory Module

A small circuit board where RAM chips reside, which is inserted into memory slots on the motherboard.

Memory Cache

A repository of high-speed memory that stores frequently accessed instructions and data to speed up the processes of the computer.

Read-Only Memory (ROM)

Nonvolatile memory chips that store permanent data and instructions, such as firmware.

Flash Memory

A type of nonvolatile memory that can be erased electronically and rewritten.

CMOS

Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor technology that uses battery power to retain information when the computer is turned off.

Access Time

The amount of time it takes the processor to read data, instructions, and information from memory, commonly measured in nanoseconds ($\text{ns}$).

Adapter Card

A circuit board that enhances the functions of a component of a desktop or server system unit and/or provides connections to peripheral devices.

Expansion Slot

A socket located on a desktop or server motherboard that can hold an adapter card.

Plug and Play

A technology that enables the computer to automatically recognize peripheral devices as you install them.

Bus

An electrical channel that allows various devices both inside and attached to the system unit to communicate with one another.

Word Size

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

Power Supply

A component that converts wall outlet AC power into DC power required by internal computer electronics.