Questions and Answers
What are the key parts of a motherboard?
What does CPU stand for?
Central Processing Unit
Name some major processor manufacturers.
Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, Apple Inc., NVIDIA, Motorola, VIA, Samsung
How is the speed of a processor measured?
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The register size refers to the number of bits processed at one time, which can be ____ or ____ bits.
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What does a bus do in computing?
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What is the purpose of the internal data bus?
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What is the role of the external data bus?
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What is the ALU?
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What does the clock speed of a processor refer to?
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What is the significance of the front side bus (FSB)?
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What type of memory is cache memory?
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What does dual-core processor mean?
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What is virtualization in computing?
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Match the following components with their descriptions:
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What is the purpose of a heat sink?
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Study Notes
Key Parts of Motherboard
- Processor, processor socket, memory, and expansion slots are essential components of a motherboard.
Processor (CPU)
- Central Processing Unit executes instructions, performs calculations, and manages input/output operations.
- Each motherboard has chips designed specifically to work with the CPU.
Major Processor Manufacturers
- Key players include Intel, AMD, Motorola, VIA, Samsung, NVIDIA, Apple Inc., and Qualcomm.
- Intel and AMD dominate the desktop and laptop processor markets.
Speed of a Processor
- Processor speed is measured in gigahertz (GHz), indicating billions of cycles per second.
- The original PC CPU, the 8088, operated at 4.77 MHz; current processors can reach speeds near 5 GHz.
Register Size
- Register size indicates the number of bits processed at once; modern CPUs often have 64 or 128-bit registers.
- Intel's 8086 processor had a register size of 16 bits.
Bus
- Buses are electronic lines that transfer binary data within the processor and to other chips.
- Increasing bus size can improve computer performance, similar to adding lanes on a highway.
Internal Data Bus
- The internal bus comprises lines within the CPU, where the 8086 featured 16 lines.
- Current processors can have 64 or 128 internal data buses operating concurrently.
External Data Bus
- The Front Side Bus (FSB) allows communication between the CPU and external devices such as printers and keyboards.
- Today's processors support 64- and 128-bit external data paths.
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
- ALU, located in the processor, handles all necessary calculations and logic comparisons.
Pipelines
- Pipelines consist of internal buses working concurrently within the processor.
Clock Speed
- Indicates how fast a processor's internal clock operates, also measured in gigahertz.
Bus Speed
- Refers to the data delivery speed during bus usage on the motherboard.
Front Side Bus (FSB)
- Represents the speed between the CPU and certain motherboard components, usually listed in megatransfers per second (MT/s).
Back Side Bus
- The connection speed between the CPU and L2 cache.
PCI/PCIe Bus Speed
- Reflects the data delivery speed when the PCI bus is in use.
Advanced Graphics Port (AGP)
- Similar to PCI, AGP defines the speed of data delivery to graphics cards, used in older standards.
CPU Speed
- Describes how fast the CPU operates; some motherboards allow for changes to this speed.
CPU Throttling
- Involves reducing the CPU's clock frequency to decrease power consumption and heat, particularly useful for mobile devices.
Cache Memory
- Fast memory type that enhances the speed of processor operations with rapid access.
Types of Cache
- L1 cache is integrated into the CPU, L2 cache is included in the CPU packaging, and L3 cache can be on the CPU die or motherboard.
Clocking
- The motherboard generates a clock signal that manages binary data transfer to/from the processor.
Dual Independent Bus (DIB)
- Utilizes two separate buses: the front side bus (to motherboard components) and the back side bus (to L2 cache).
Multi-Core Processors
- Feature multiple CPUs in a single unit: dual-core (2), tri-core (3), quad-core (4), hexa-core (6), and octa-core (8).
- Modern processors have built-in memory controllers for efficient data handling.
HyperTransport
- A high-speed bus technology that is replacing the front side bus architecture.
Dual-Core Processor
- Combines two CPUs into a single unit for enhanced processing capability.
Tri-Core Processor
- Integrates three processors within one unit.
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
- Found either within the CPU or on an adapter card, GPUs handle graphical data processing.
Integrated GPU (iGPU)
- A type of graphics processing integrated into the CPU, allowing for quick data processing without an external GPU.
Virtualization
- Enables running multiple virtual machines on one computer, allowing for multiple operating systems on a single device.
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)
- A now less common expansion slot available in various types.
Heat Sink
- A metal structure with fins used to dissipate heat from the processor or motherboard components.
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Description
Test your knowledge on key components of a motherboard and processors in this quiz. Explore terms such as CPU, memory, and major processor manufacturers. Perfect for beginners in computer science and hardware.
