Computer Hardware Components & Basic Architecture Flashcards

Vocabulary terms and definitions regarding computer hardware components, primary and secondary memory, and basic system architecture based on the provided lecture notes.

Computer hardware

The physical parts of a computer.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

Considered the brain of a computer, also known as a processor or microprocessor, it carries out program instructions to perform arithmetic and logic operations.

Integrated circuit (IC) chip

The physical form of the CPU.

Clock speed

The measurement indicating the speed of a CPU, measured in Gigahertz ($GHz$).

Main (Primary) Memory

Memory directly accessed by the CPU to store program instructions and data, capable of working about as fast as the CPU.

Read Only Memory (ROM)

A type of non-volatile primary memory that contains instructions and data for starting the computer, with contents that are normally not changed.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

A type of volatile primary memory used for read-write operations where data disappears when the computer is turned off.

Secondary Storage

Also known as Secondary Memory, these are non-volatile storage devices (such as HDD, SSD, or DVD) where instructions and data remain even if power is switched off.

HDD (Hard Disk Drive)

A type of secondary storage that is usually cheaper than RAM in terms of dollars per gigabyte ($\text{\$/GB}$).

SSD (Solid State Drive)

Secondary storage that lacks moving components, offering nearly instantaneous access times and reading data at a speed $10$ times faster than an HDD.

Input Devices

Devices that acquire and send data to the computer, such as a keyboard, mouse, microphone, webcam, or barcode reader.

Output Devices

Devices that receive data from the computer, such as a display monitor, speaker, headphones (without microphone), or printer.

Input/Output (I/O) Devices

Devices that both send data to and receive data from a computer, such as a touch screen, a printer with scanning function, or a headset.

Computer Hardware Architecture

The way hardware components are connected and organized in a computer.

System bus

The communication pathway on the motherboard consisting of the Control Bus, Data Bus, and Address Bus used to connect the CPU, memory, and I/O systems.

Motherboard

The main circuit board that contains the CPU, RAM, and expansion slots, and uses buses to connect components together for communication.