Computer Cases
What is the main purpose of a computer case?
To protect internal components, provide structure, and assist with airflow.
What unit of measurement is typically used to state modern CPU clock speeds?
Gigahertz (GHz).
What component uses a fan and a block of metal fins to draw heat away from the processor?
Heat sink.
What are the four steps of the machine cycle in the correct order?
Fetch, Decode, Execute, and Store.
Where are registers physically located inside a computer system?
Directly inside the processor (CPU).
What term describes the size and layout standards of a computer case and motherboard, such as ATX or Micro-ATX?
Form factor.
What is the primary job of the system clock inside a computer?
To emit continuous electronic pulses that synchronize the timing of all computer operations.
What material must be applied between the CPU and the heat sink to fill microscopic air gaps and improve heat transfer?
Thermal paste (or thermal compound/grease).
During which phase of the machine cycle are instructions retrieved from the computer's memory?
The Fetch phase.
How does the speed of a register compare to the speed of standard RAM?
Registers are significantly faster than RAM.
Which type of computer case is large, highly expandable, and usually stands vertically on the floor or a desk?
Tower case (or Full-Tower / Mid-Tower).
What component on the motherboard generates the precise pulses for the system clock?
A quartz crystal oscillator.
Which type of cooling uses a pump, tubes, and a radiator to pull heat away from the CPU?
Liquid cooling (or water cooling).
Which component of the CPU is responsible for the "Decode" step of the machine cycle?
The Control Unit (CU).
What specific register keeps track of the memory address of the next instruction waiting to be executed?
Program Counter (PC).
What is the name of the metal plate at the back of the case that protects and labels the motherboard’s external ports?
I/O shield (Input/Output shield).
What term is used to describe the practice of forcing a CPU to run at a higher clock speed than its manufacturer rating?
Overclocking.
What dangerous event occurs when a CPU automatically slows down its performance to prevent permanent damage from excessive heat?
Thermal throttling.
What happens during the "Store" phase of the machine cycle?
The results of the execution are written back into a register or the system memory.
What is the primary function of the Accumulator register?
To temporarily store the intermediate arithmetic and logic results produced by the ALU.
How does a computer case prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI) from disrupting nearby electronics?
It acts as a Faraday cage by grounding and shielding the internal electronic signals inside a metal enclosure.
If a processor completes 3.5 billion cycles per second, what is its system clock speed?
3.5 GHz.
Why is liquid cooling generally more efficient at lowering CPU temperatures than standard air cooling?
Water has a much higher thermal conductivity and heat capacity than air, allowing it to absorb and move heat faster.
The machine cycle is split into two halves: E-time (execution time) and I-time (instruction time). Which two steps make up I-time?
Fetch and Decode.
What is the fundamental difference between a Memory Address Register (MAR) and a Memory Data Register (MDR)?
The MAR holds the location/address of the data to be fetched or stored, while the MDR holds the actual data value being transferred.