Computer Hardware Basics Quiz
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Questions and Answers

Which component serves as the main container for the system's devices and protects them from damage?

  • Expansion Card
  • CPU
  • Motherboard (correct)
  • Power Supply

Which software type would be responsible for performing maintenance tasks on a computer system?

  • Firmware
  • System Software
  • Utility Programs (correct)
  • Application Software

Which of the following processors is NOT produced by Intel?

  • Centrino
  • Core i9
  • Turion (correct)
  • Pentium

Which of the following is NOT considered a peripheral device?

<p>Network Card (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the CPU within the system unit?

<p>Control computer functions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes cache memory?

<p>High-speed temporary storage (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the acronym RAM stand for in computer memory?

<p>Random Access Memory (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which electronic component manages the flow of electricity to other parts of a computer?

<p>Power Supply (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which inventor is known as the 'Mother of Computers' and is recognized for her work on Babbage's Analytical Engine?

<p>Augusta Ada King-Noel (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which component is primarily responsible for temporarily storing data that is actively being used or processed by the computer?

<p>RAM (Random Access Memory) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the optical mouse's camera?

<p>To take thousands of images per second (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which port is specifically used for connecting peripheral devices like printers and scanners to a computer?

<p>USB Port (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What technology did Herman Hollerith develop that significantly improved data processing for the 1890 census?

<p>Punched Card Tabulator (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of RAM in a computer system?

<p>To hold data and programs currently in use (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which file system supports larger file sizes than FAT32?

<p>EXFAT (B), NTFS (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of volatile memory?

<p>Its contents are lost when power is turned off (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the acronym CPU stand for?

<p>Central Processing Unit (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of RAM mentioned in the content?

<p>SDRAM (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following defines a User Interface that utilizes graphical elements?

<p>GUI (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Multi-core processors can have how many processor cores on a single chip?

<p>Two, three, or four (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a clock speed of 1 GHz indicate?

<p>1 billion clock ticks occur every second (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following technologies is primarily responsible for network connectivity in a computer?

<p>NIC (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the acronym RAM stand for in computing?

<p>Random Access Memory (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

DIMM's are typically used in which type of computers?

<p>Desktop computers (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does BIOS stand for in computer systems?

<p>Basic Input/Output System (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of data movement in computer programming?

<p>It helps execute instructions faster (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which memory type is non-volatile and retains data even when powered off?

<p>HDD (B), ROM (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What memory module is specifically designed for notebook computers?

<p>SODIMM (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about clock speed is true?

<p>Clock speed determines instruction execution speed (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which abbreviation refers to a software framework that allows the development of applications?

<p>SDK (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which file system format is commonly used for larger storage devices and file sizes beyond the traditional FAT32?

<p>NTFS (A), EXT4 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the mainboard in a computer system?

<p>To connect and control internal hardware components (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the CPU is responsible for controlling the arithmetic operations?

<p>Arithmetic Logic Unit (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of memory retains data after the power is turned off?

<p>ROM (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'software' refer to in a computer system?

<p>A collection of data or computer instructions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which operating system is primarily used for managing computing processes and internet connections?

<p>Ubuntu (A), X Window XP (C), Linux (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What features do cache memory provide in a computer system?

<p>Faster access to frequently used data (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which logic operations can the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) perform?

<p>Arithmetic and logic tests (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a function of an operating system?

<p>Providing antivirus protection (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the CPU determines the sequence of operations during program execution?

<p>Control Unit (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes RAM from ROM in a computer system?

<p>RAM temporarily stores data while ROM permanently stores data (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Motherboard

The main circuit board of a computer, which connects all the components.

Power Supply

A hardware component that provides power to all the other components.

RAM

The primary storage unit in a computer, used for temporary storage and data processing.

Processor

The main processing unit of a computer, responsible for carrying out instructions.

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System Software

Software designed to provide a base for running other software, including operating systems.

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Application Software

Software that performs specific tasks, such as word processing, spreadsheets, or graphic design.

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Peripherals

Devices that connect to the system unit and provide additional functionality, such as monitors, printers, or scanners.

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Computer Program

A series of instructions that tell a computer what to do.

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NTFS

A file system commonly used in Windows operating systems, known for its features like security, journaling, and large file support.

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FAT32

A file system that uses a table to keep track of where files are stored on a disk. It is older and simpler compared to NTFS.

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ENIAC

Abbreviation for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer. The first general-purpose electronic computer.

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UNIVAC

Abbreviation for Universal Automatic Computer. One of the first commercial computers.

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BINAC

Abbreviation for Binary Automatic Computer. An early computer that used binary code.

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EDVAC

Abbreviation for Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer. An early computer that used stored-program concepts.

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API

Abbreviation for Application Programming Interface. A set of rules or specifications for how different software components interact.

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BIOS

Abbreviation for Basic Input/Output System. A firmware program that manages the basic hardware components of a computer when it boots up.

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CPU

Abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. The main processing unit of a computer, responsible for carrying out instructions.

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Program Instructions Types

Operations inside a program that can fall into categories: logical (comparing data and acting on results), move (moving data within the computer), or arithmetic (mathematical calculations on data).

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Processor Speed

The speed at which the processor executes instructions.

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MHz and GHz

Measures of processor speed. 1 MHz is one million clock ticks per second, and 1 GHz is one billion clock ticks per second.

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Multi-core Processors

A technology enabling multiple processor cores on a single chip, allowing the processor to handle multiple tasks concurrently.

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Random Access Memory (RAM)

The main memory of a computer system, used for holding data and programs actively being used by the processor.

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Volatile Memory

A characteristic of RAM that means its contents are lost when the power is turned off.

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Memory Modules

The physical components containing RAM chips, designed for different computer types (DIMM for desktops, SODIMM for notebooks).

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Double Data Rate (DDR) RAM

Types of RAM technology providing faster data transfer. DDR1, DDR2, and DDR3 are different generations of DDR.

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RAM Compatibility

The compatibility of a computer system with only a specific type of RAM, ensuring proper function.

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What is an optical mouse?

A type of mouse that uses an optical sensor to track movement. It captures thousands of images per second and processes them digitally. A red LED illuminates the surface for the camera to capture.

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Inkjet printer

A type of printer that uses ink cartridges to spray ink onto paper. It's often referred to as a bubble-jet printer because it uses small bubbles of ink to form the characters.

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Laser printer

A type of printer that uses a laser beam to create an image on a drum. The drum then attracts toner (powdered ink), which is transferred to paper.

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What are optical drives?

A type of computer storage device that uses lasers to read and write data. They are categorized as CD-ROM (read-only), CD-R (write once), CD-RW (rewrite multiple times), DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, and Blu-ray.

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What is a SATA connector?

A connector on a motherboard that is used to connect storage devices like hard drives and optical drives using the Serial ATA (SATA) standard. SATA is known for its high speed and data transfer rates.

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RAM (Random Access Memory)

A type of memory that is used for temporary storage of data and programs that are actively being used by the CPU.

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ROM (Read Only Memory)

A type of memory that stores permanent instructions for the computer, such as the BIOS, that are needed to start the computer.

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Machine Cycle

The basic cycle that the CPU goes through to execute an instruction. Consists of fetching the instruction, decoding it, executing it, and storing the result.

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Control Unit

The part of the CPU responsible for controlling the flow of instructions and data between other components.

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Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

The part of the CPU that performs arithmetic and logical operations on data.

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Software

A collection of data or computer instructions that tells the computer what to do. It's a broader term, encompassing both programs and data.

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Operating System (OS)

A type of software that manages the computer's resources, such as the hardware, memory, and files. It provides the interface between the user and the hardware.

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Von Neumann Architecture

A type of architecture that uses a single address space for both instructions and data, meaning the CPU can access both instructions and data from the same memory location. This is the dominant architecture found in modern computers.

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Study Notes

Hardware

  • Hardware refers to electronic and mechanical equipment in a computer
  • Examples include motherboard, hard disk, RAM, power supply, processor, case, monitor, keyboard, and mouse

Software

  • Software refers to computer programs that perform tasks on a computer system
  • System software includes operating systems and utility programs
  • Application software includes popular programs like Word and SolidWorks

Computer System

  • A computer system is a collection of electronic and mechanical devices that operate as a unit
  • The system unit is the main container that protects the delicate electronic and mechanical systems inside

System Unit

  • The system unit is the main container for system devices
  • It protects the electronic and mechanical devices from damage
  • The components inside include the CPU (Processor), memory, disk drives, ports, power supply, and expansion cards

Peripherals

  • Peripherals connect to the system unit through cables or wireless technologies
  • Examples include monitor, keyboard, printer, plotter, and speakers

Processor

  • AMD and Intel are common processor manufacturers
  • Processors include Athlon, Pentium, Turion, Centrino, etc

Ports

  • Ports are interfaces between peripheral devices and the computer system
  • Serial ports (Com ports) used to connect mice and external modems
  • Parallel ports (LPT ports) used to connect printers, scanners, and others
  • VGA ports are used to connect monitors, DVI ports are digitally used in place of VGA ports
  • PS/2 ports are for connecting keyboards and mice
  • Modem ports used to connect to telephones

Computer Programs

  • Programs are a series of instructions that a computer follows in an orderly fashion
  • Programs involve arithmetic, comparisons (logical), and moving data within the computer system

Processor Speed

  • Processor speed is measured in clock ticks per second
  • 1 MHz is 1 million clock ticks per second
  • 1 GHz is 1 billion clock ticks per second

Random Access Memory (RAM)

  • Primary storage that holds data and currently running programs
  • Data is lost if the computer is turned off

RAM Modules

  • RAM comes in modules (DIMMs or SODIMMs)
  • Module sizes range from 256MB to 2GB
  • Modern DDR variations include DDR 1, 2, or 3

Motherboard

  • The main circuit board, where all computer devices connect

Processor Socket

  • Different processors need different sockets
  • Examples include Socket 478 (Intel) and Socket 775 (Intel)

Chipset

  • Northbridge controls data flow between memory and processor
  • Southbridge controls data flow to USB, IDE, SATA, LAN, and Audio

Buses

  • Data paths between components

Power Supply

  • Converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC)
  • Provides different voltage levels for devices

Main Connectors/Connectors

  • Connect different devices to the motherboard
  • Examples include Molex and SATA connectors

Ports

  • Connect external devices, like USB ports and ethernet ports

Hard Disk

  • Primary storage - volatile - lost when power off
  • Secondary storage – non-volatile – data survives power off

Optical Drives

  • Use laser to read / write data mechanically
  • Examples include CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, and DVD-RW

Card Readers

  • Used to read storage cards from cameras and other sources

Monitors

  • Types include CRT and LCD, measured by resolution and aspect ratio

Keyboard

  • Typical arrangement is the QWERTY arrangement, but others exist, such as Dvorak

Mouse

  • Types include mechanical and optical, and wireless

Printers

  • Types include laser and inkjet

Graphics Card

  • Handles graphics processing
  • Has dedicated memory

Sound Card

  • Connects audio input and output devices.

Network Card

  • Allows computer to join a network

Wireless Standards

  • Wi-Fi standards that support transmission rates and ranges

Modem

  • Converts digital data to analog signals for transmission over a telephone line

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Description

Test your knowledge of computer hardware and components with this quiz. From the primary functions of the CPU to identifying various peripheral devices, this quiz covers essential concepts in computer systems. Perfect for students and tech enthusiasts alike!

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