Hardware

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering CPU architecture, memory types, storage technologies, and hardware components based on the WJEC Computer Science unit.

Transistor

Microscopic switches on a silicon chip that control the flow of electricity to represent binary information as a one (current passes) or a zero (current does not pass).

CPU (Central Processing Unit) Architecture

The design of a microprocessor, which is an integrated circuit where the components of the CPU are combined as a single unit.

Controller (Control Unit)

A sub-component of the CPU that sends and receives signals from all parts of the computer to ensure processes take place at the right time and in the correct order.

Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)

The part of the CPU that processes and manipulates data by performing simple calculations and comparisons for program logic, such as IF statements.

Register

A fast-access storage location found on the CPU where data or control information is temporarily stored.

Accumulator

A specific example of a register used by the Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) to store the results of its calculations.

Internal Memory

Also called Level 1 cache memory, this is fast-access temporary storage on the CPU where data is moved from registers when not actively being used.

Address Bus

The path along which the storage address of data travels when it is saved to or loaded from memory.

Data Bus

The path along which data travels as it moves between several parts of a computer system.

Control Bus

The path used by the controller to send control signals to different parts of the computer.

Von Neumann Architecture

A computer design proposed in 1945 by John von Neumann that stores program instructions in the same memory as those of the data.

Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle

A three-step process where a program instruction is taken from memory, converted into a determine action by the control unit, and then carried out.

CPU Cache Memory

A fast-access and expensive type of memory that improves CPU performance by providing data and instructions at a faster rate than RAM.

Clock Speed

The speed at which a processor operates, measured in Hertz ($Hz$), determining how many fetch-decode-execute cycles occur per second.

Overclocking

Setting a processor to run faster than its original design, which increases energy consumption and heat production, potentially damaging the CPU.

Underclocking

Setting the clock speed lower than the original design to reduce power consumption and heat, thereby increasing battery life in mobile devices.

Core

A term describing the processing components within a CPU; a multi-core processor can process several instructions at the same time.

RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer)

A processor type that handles a limited number of simple instructions quickly, requiring less circuitry, power, and heat generation.

CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer)

A processor type that can process a large number of complex instructions, allowing tasks to be completed with fewer lines of code but requiring more circuitry and power.

Input Device

Hardware that allows data such as text, images, video, or sound to be entered into a computer system.

Output Device

Hardware that creates results from a computer system, such as printed documents, on-screen data, or sound.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Volatile temporary storage for currently running programs and data where each store location is identified by a unique address.

ROM (Read-only Memory)

Non-volatile permanent storage for data where the content in each store location cannot be changed.

Flash Memory

A programmable and erasable non-volatile memory that remains when power is disconnected, used in SSDs, SD cards, and modern BIOS storage.

BIOS (Basic Input Output System)

A low-level program that handles input/output operations and loads the bootstrap loader to execute the operating system.

Secondary Storage

Also known as backing storage, it stores data not currently in active use for later retrieval, such as magnetic, optical, or solid-state media.

Optical Storage

Storage technology using laser beams to read data from disks (CD/DVD/Blu-ray) based on light reflection.

Magnetic Storage

Technology used in hard disks and tapes where data is written to and read from a magnetic medium using a read/write head.

Solid State Storage

Storage technology with no moving parts, such as USB flash sticks, offering low power consumption and high speed.

Cloud Storage

A data storage facility where users store data on third-party servers accessible via the Internet.

BIT (BInary digiT)

The smallest unit of data in a computer system, represented as a $1$ or a $0$.

Byte

A unit of data consisting of $8$ bits.

Kilobyte (Kb)

A unit of data storage equal to $1024$ bytes.

Motherboard

The main circuit board of a computer that houses the CPU and ROM and provides expansion slots and ports for other components.

GPU (Graphics Processor Unit)

A microprocessor designed to perform calculations for graphic images; it can be integrated into the motherboard or dedicated on its own card.

Embedded System

A combination of software and hardware designed to perform a specific task, often reactive to external conditions and controlled by firmware.

Firmware

The software written specifically for an embedded system, typically stored in ROM or Flash memory.