Computer Cases
What is the main outer box that holds all the computer parts called?
The computer case (or tower).
What unit of speed is used to measure modern computer clocks, like 3.5 GHz?
Gigahertz (GHz).
What is the main purpose of processor cooling?
To remove heat from the CPU and prevent overheating
Where are registers located?
Inside the CPU.
How many basic steps are in a standard machine cycle?
4
What is the main job of a computer case?
To protect the inside parts from damage and dust.
What does the system clock do for the computer?
It controls the speed and timing of the computer's operations.
What is the paste called that goes between the CPU and the cooler?
Thermal paste.
Which is faster at loading data: a CPU register or regular computer RAM?
A CPU register.
What is the first step of the machine cycle, where the CPU gets an instruction from memory?
Fetch.
True or False
A "Full Tower" case is smaller than a "Mid Tower" case.
False (Full Towers are larger).
What is it called when you force a computer part to run faster than its official speed limit?
Overclocking.
What is the metal block with lots of thin fins that sits on a CPU to soak up heat?
A heatsink.
What do registers actually store?
Small pieces of data or instructions that the CPU needs immediately.
What is the step called where the CPU figures out what an instruction actually means?
Decode.
What are the small plastic or metal screws used to keep the motherboard from touching the bare metal case called?
Standoffs
What kind of tiny crystal is used inside a computer to keep the clock ticking accurately?
A quartz crystal.
What type of cooling uses liquid and tubes instead of just a regular fan?
Liquid cooling (or water cooling).
What is the specific register called that keeps track of the next instruction the computer needs to run?
The Program Counter (PC).
What is the step called where the CPU actually carries out the command or math problem?
Execute.
Why do computer cases have built-in fans?
To blow hot air out and pull cool air in.
If a system clock ticks, does a faster clock speed usually mean a computer runs faster or slower?
Faster.
What happens to a computer if the cooling system stops working completely?
It will overheat and automatically shut down to protect itself.
What is the name of the special register that temporarily holds the math answers calculated by the CPU?
The Accumulator.
What is the final step of the machine cycle, where the results are saved into memory?
Store.