Hardware 1
The electronic circuitry device that executes instructions comprising a computer application. It performs basic arithmetic, logic, controlling, and input/output (I/O) operations specified by the instructions in the software.
What is a Central Processing Unit (CPU)?
The main printed circuit board (PCB) in general-purpose computers and other expandable systems. It holds and allows communication between many of the critical electronic components of a system, and provides connectors for other peripherals.
What is a Motherboard?
A form of computer memory that can be read and changed in any order, typically used to store working data and machine code. It is often measured in megabytes or gigabytes.
What is Random-Access Memory (RAM)?
An electronic device that converts mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the internal components of a computer.
What is a Power Supply Unit (PSU)?
A technology consisting of computer components and recording media used to retain digital data. It is a core function and fundamental component of computers.
What is Computer Data Storage?
A subsystem that is used to connect computer components and transfer data between them.
What is a Computer Bus?
A disk drive that uses laser light or electromagnetic waves within or near the visible light spectrum as part of the process of reading and writing data to or from optical discs.
What is an Optical Disk Drive (ODD)?
A passive heat exchanger that transfers the heat generated by an electronic or mechanical device to a fluid medium, often air or a liquid coolant, where it is dissipated away from the device, thereby allowing regulation of the device's temperature.
What is a Heat Sink?
A standardized cable that connects computer peripherals (including keyboards, digital cameras, printers, portable media players, disk drives, and network adapters) to PCs to communicate and supply electric power.
What is Universal Serial Bus (USB)?
The amount of time it takes for memory to respond to a command. Generally, the lower the delay, the faster the device.
What is Latency?
The firmware used to provide runtime services for operating systems and programs and to perform hardware initialization during the booting process.
What is Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)?
The circuitry that directs operations within a computer's processor. It lets the computer's logic unit, memory, and both input and output devices know how to respond to instructions received by a program.
What is a Control Unit (CU)?
A type of computer memory that can retain stored information even after power is removed.
What is Non-Volatile Memory (NVM)?
A type of non-volatile memory used in computers and other electronic devices. Stored data cannot be electronically modified after the manufacture of the memory device. It is useful for storing software that is rarely changed during the system's life, also known as firmware.
What is Read-Only Memory (ROM)?
An open, logical-device interface specification for accessing a computer's non-volatile storage media usually attached via PCI Express (PCIe) bus.
What is NVM Express (NVMe)?
Known as one of the largest connectors inside a computer, it connects a power supply to an ATX-style motherboard.
What is an ATX Power Connector?
A type of RAM that is dedicated to only being used in graphically intense situations. It is attached to the GPU with the sole purpose of rendering graphics.
What is Virtual RAM (VRAM)?
A set of electronic components in an integrated circuit known as a "Data Flow Management System" that manages the data flow between the processor, memory, and peripherals. It is usually found on the motherboard.
What is a Chipset?
The number of instructions a processor can process in any given second, measured in gigahertz (GHz).
What are CPU Clock Speeds?
Electronic circuits located near the CPU and their main work is to provide steady and consistent voltage to the processor.
What is a Voltage Regulator Module (VRM)?
A new type of DRAM that can run at much higher clock speeds than conventional memory. It actually synchronizes itself with the CPU's bus and is capable of running at 100 MHz, about three times faster than standard FPM RAM, and about twice as fast as EDO DRAM and BEDO DRAM.
What is Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)?
An onboard, battery-powered semiconductor chip that stores a computer's information. This information ranges from the system time and date to system hardware settings.
What is a Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS)?
The type of VRAM in the GPU. They are numbered 1-6, with six being the best and one being the worst. The higher the number means more efficiency in the way the RAM transfer data.
What is Graphics Double Data Rate (GDDR)?
The two chips in the core logic chipset on the motherboard. Together, they manage communications between the CPU and other motherboard components.
What is a Southbridge/Northbridge?
A solid-state storage device that uses integrated circuit assemblies to store data persistently, typically using flash memory and functioning as secondary storage in the computer storage hierarchy.
What is an Solid-State Drive (SSD)?