CSCI - Lecture 1 Quiz

Mother Board / System Board

holds the main components of the computer (CPU, clock, connectors, expansion slots, ETC.)

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

the brain of the computer; interprets and executes program and device instructions

Serial Device

data is sent one bit at a time; usually for modems and printers; cable can be very long (ex. MIDI, USB)

Parallel Device

data is sent eight bits at a time; limited length of cable (ex. SCSI)

Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) Port

allows more than one device to be connected to a single port

Expansion Slot

a socket designed to hold the circuit board for the device that adds capability to the computer system

Adapter Cards

additional circuitry/chips that extend your PC’s capabilities, allowing you to customize it

Plug and Play

refers to computer’s capability to figure out what to do when new expansion cards and devices are added; the user does not have to know how to configure the system

Memory

temporarily holds information and instructions a computer needs to operate

Read Only Memory (ROM)

memory loaded up by the manufacturer and contains low-level instructions for the computer that can’t easily be lost

Random Access Memory (RAM)

memory the user uses, temporary memory that stores data/programs while they are being used and requires power

Dynamic RAM (D-RAM)

constantly changing, so it has to be continually refreshed

Static RAM (S-RAM)

doesn’t need constant refreshing, is faster but more expensive than dynamic

Cache

high-speed memory that has priority