Factors Affecting CPU Performance and Related Concepts

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to computer performance, CPU characteristics, memory management, software types, and data storage.

Clock Speed

The number of fetch-decode-execute cycles a CPU can perform per second; higher speeds result in a faster CPU.

Processor Cores

The individual processing units within a CPU; more cores lead to better CPU performance.

Cache Memory

A temporary storage area that holds frequently used data and instructions for quick access by the CPU.

Virtual Memory

An extension of RAM that temporarily uses secondary storage to manage overflow when RAM becomes full.

Solid State Drive (SSD)

A type of storage device that uses flash memory, which is faster and more robust than traditional hard drives.

HDD (Hard Disk Drive)

A traditional storage device that uses spinning disks to read/write data, typically slower than SSDs.

Operating System

The most important software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs.

Memory Management

The OS function that handles the allocation and deallocation of memory space as needed by programs.

Bus

A communication system that transfers data between components of a computer, including data, address, and control buses.

Cache Levels

Different types of cache memory; Level 1 is the fastest, Level 2 is slower, and Level 3 is the largest.

Embedded System

A computer system that is part of a larger device and designed to perform specific tasks.

Computer Architecture

The structure and organization of a computer's components, often described by the Von Neumann model.

Input/Output (I/O) Devices

Hardware components that allow communication between the computer and the outside world.

Software Utility

System software designed to help manage, maintain, or protect computer systems.

Simulation

The imitation of a process or system to study its behavior under various conditions.

Anti-Malware

Software designed to detect and eliminate malicious software from a computer.

Cloud Storage

A service that allows users to store data on remote servers accessed via the internet.

Registers

Small, fast storage locations within the CPU used to hold temporary data and instructions.

Process Management

The function of the OS that manages the execution of processes, allocating CPU time to each.