Unit 1 includes:
INPUT OUTPUT DEVICES
BACKING STORAGE
COMPONENTS OF CPU (AND FUNCTIONS),
PURPOSE OF CPU
CACHE,
CLOCK
CORES
PROCESSORS
RAM & ROM
FLASH MEMORY
CACHE MEMORY
SECONDARY STORAGE DEVICE FUNCTIONS
INPUT OUTPUT DEVICES
BACKING STORAGE
COMPONENTS OF CPU (AND FUNCTIONS),
PURPOSE OF CPU
CACHE,
CLOCK
CORES
PROCESSORS
RAM & ROM
FLASH MEMORY
CACHE MEMORY
SECONDARY STORAGE DEVICE FUNCTIONS
Input Devices
Input devices allow us to enter raw data into a computer, including:
Output Devices
The computer processes the data and then produces outputs that we can understand, including:
Input and Output
Backing Storage
A type of computer memory used to store data even with the power turned off, including:
CPU
Acts as the computers brain, performing calculations and coordinating the hardware components, fetching and executing instructions for the computer.
Components:
CU-it controls the flow of information through the processor, and coordinates the activities of the other units within it. It is referred to as the 'brain within the brain', as it controls what happens inside the processor, which controls the rest of the CPU.
Arithmetic Logical Unit- carry out calculations, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing as well as carrying out comparisons which answers questions such as, 'is the number 'A' greater, less than or equal to the number 'B'.
Registers(Memory Unit)- small amount of fast temporary memory within the processor where the ALU or the CU can store and change values needed to execute instructions.
Input devices allow us to enter raw data into a computer, including:
- keyboard
- mouse
- joystick
- microphone
- digital camera
- ouch screen
- scanner
- sensors
- barcode reade
- magnetic strip
Output Devices
The computer processes the data and then produces outputs that we can understand, including:
- printed paper
- sound
- video and on-screen documents
- monitor,
- printers,
- speakers
- projectors
- lights
Input and Output
- Printer - gets document and prints it onto paper
- Microwave - buttons pressed to select time and power and the microwave heats and beeps when done
Backing Storage
A type of computer memory used to store data even with the power turned off, including:
- Magnetic tape
- Floppy disk
- Hard disk
- CD ROM
- CD R
- CD RW
- DVD ROM
- DVD R
- DVD RW
- USB flash drive
CPU
Acts as the computers brain, performing calculations and coordinating the hardware components, fetching and executing instructions for the computer.
Components:
CU-it controls the flow of information through the processor, and coordinates the activities of the other units within it. It is referred to as the 'brain within the brain', as it controls what happens inside the processor, which controls the rest of the CPU.
Arithmetic Logical Unit- carry out calculations, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing as well as carrying out comparisons which answers questions such as, 'is the number 'A' greater, less than or equal to the number 'B'.
Registers(Memory Unit)- small amount of fast temporary memory within the processor where the ALU or the CU can store and change values needed to execute instructions.
How is performance affected by components
Cache (size of)
Cache is a form of memory that is used to speed up the way applications work.
the bigger the size of cache the more it can store and so the faster applications will be.
Clock (speed of)
CPU clock 'ticks' by switching from high to low and then back again in a very precise time. Every time the clock pulses an instruction is carried out: Clock speed is measured in pulses per second
the faster the clock speed in the CPU, the faster instructions can be carried each second and so it increases the speed of the device.
Cores (number of)
A CPU can contain one or more processing unit also known as a core. (2 core-dual and 4 core-dual etc.)
A core contains an ALU, control unit and registers
the more cores a CPU has the more power it will have to run multiple programs at the same time.
Processor (type of)
The processor is the part of the computer which processes or deals with the data and processes in the system.
Different types of storage
RAM
storing instructions and data whilst a program is being executed. It is also called main memory. Program data is copied into RAM before the CPU can run the program. It can be read and written quickly in any order. Emptied every time the computer is turned off.
ROM
is a flash memory chip that contains a small amount of non-volatile memory which means that its contents cannot be changed and it retains its memory after the computer is turned off and it can only be read.
Flash Memory
non-volatile, solid state storage that can be electrically erased and programmed, keeps its data without power and has no moving parts and offers very fast access to data and programs
e.g. camera memory card and memory stick
Cache Memory
used by the CPU to reduce the average time to access data from the main memory, its smaller and faster memory which stores copies of the data from frequently used main memory locations so that it can access them faster.
Cache (size of)
Cache is a form of memory that is used to speed up the way applications work.
the bigger the size of cache the more it can store and so the faster applications will be.
Clock (speed of)
CPU clock 'ticks' by switching from high to low and then back again in a very precise time. Every time the clock pulses an instruction is carried out: Clock speed is measured in pulses per second
the faster the clock speed in the CPU, the faster instructions can be carried each second and so it increases the speed of the device.
Cores (number of)
A CPU can contain one or more processing unit also known as a core. (2 core-dual and 4 core-dual etc.)
A core contains an ALU, control unit and registers
the more cores a CPU has the more power it will have to run multiple programs at the same time.
Processor (type of)
The processor is the part of the computer which processes or deals with the data and processes in the system.
Different types of storage
RAM
storing instructions and data whilst a program is being executed. It is also called main memory. Program data is copied into RAM before the CPU can run the program. It can be read and written quickly in any order. Emptied every time the computer is turned off.
ROM
is a flash memory chip that contains a small amount of non-volatile memory which means that its contents cannot be changed and it retains its memory after the computer is turned off and it can only be read.
Flash Memory
non-volatile, solid state storage that can be electrically erased and programmed, keeps its data without power and has no moving parts and offers very fast access to data and programs
e.g. camera memory card and memory stick
Cache Memory
used by the CPU to reduce the average time to access data from the main memory, its smaller and faster memory which stores copies of the data from frequently used main memory locations so that it can access them faster.