RP Computer Fundamentals

from week 1

What is a computer? 

an electronic device for storing and processing data

What are the main components of a computer?

• Power Supply

• Motherboard

• CPU

• Cache

• RAM

• Drive 

• Network Card (NIC)

• GPU

• Peripherals 

• Cooling System

What is a Motherboard

Main circuit board that houses all the essential components.

What is a CPU?

It’s considered the brain of the computer. It’s the main component that processes data and executes commands.

What is Cache?

Small, fast memory in the CPU thats used for temporary data storage.

What is RAM?

temporary memory that holds data used by the CPU

What is a Drive?

Storage devices (HDDs or SSDs) for permanent data storage.

What is a NetWork Card (NIC)?

Enables network connectivity.

What is a GPU?

Processor for handling graphics tasks

(like image and video rendering)

What are Peripherals?

External devices for input, output, or storage.

(e.g., keyboard, mouse, monitor, USB drives)

What is a cooling system?

removes heat generated by the components.

What is a Power Supply?

Provides electrical power to all components.

What is the hierarchy memory when it comes to speed from fastest to slowest?

Registers > Cache > RAM > Virtual Memory > SSD > Flash > HDD

Level	Type	Speed 🔥	Volatility 🧨	Capacity 📦	Used For
1	Registers	⚡ Fastest	Volatile	Bytes	Immediate instruction operands (CPU)
2	L1 Cache	⚡⚡ Very Fast	Volatile	KBs	Frequently used CPU data
3	L2/L3 Cache	⚡⚡ Fast	Volatile	MBs	Recently/frequently accessed CPU data
4	RAM (DRAM)	⚡ Moderate Fast	Volatile	GBs	Active processes, program data
5	Virtual Memory	🐢 Slow	Volatile	GBs (on disk)	RAM overflow backup on disk
6	SSD	💾 Fast-ish	Non-volatile	100s of GBs to TBs	OS, software, file storage
7	Flash Memory	💾 Variable	Non-volatile	GBs	Portable storage (USB, SD cards)
8	HDD	🐢🐢 Slowest	Non-volatile	TBs+	Mass storage
Side Note	ROM (BIOS)	Slow Read	Non-volatile	MBs	Boot instructions, firmware

Level	Type	Speed 🔥	Volatility 🧨	Capacity 📦	Used For
1	Registers	⚡ Fastest	Volatile	Bytes	Immediate instruction operands (CPU)
2	L1 Cache	⚡⚡ Very Fast	Volatile	KBs	Frequently used CPU data
3	L2/L3 Cache	⚡⚡ Fast	Volatile	MBs	Recently/frequently accessed CPU data
4	RAM (DRAM)	⚡ Moderate Fast	Volatile	GBs	Active processes, program data
5	Virtual Memory	🐢 Slow	Volatile	GBs (on disk)	RAM overflow backup on disk
6	SSD	💾 Fast-ish	Non-volatile	100s of GBs to TBs	OS, software, file storage
7	Flash Memory	💾 Variable	Non-volatile	GBs	Portable storage (USB, SD cards)
8	HDD	🐢🐢 Slowest	Non-volatile	TBs+	Mass storage
Side Note	ROM (BIOS)	Slow Read	Non-volatile	MBs	Boot instructions, firmware