Mastering Computer System Units

Power Supply = Provides power to computer components Motherboard = Main circuit board that houses system components RAM slots = Houses the memory modules Microprocessors = Carries out instructions of a computer program

System Unit = Contains the computer's main hardware components System Clock = Controls how fast all the operations within a computer take place CPU = Central processing unit, the 'brain' of the computer Bus = Electronic 'roadway' that links different parts of the computer

Multicore processors = Has more than one processor 'core' on a single silicon chip Graphics processing unit (GPU) = Specialized processor used to manipulate three-dimensional (3D) computer graphics Intel and AMD = Manufacturers of traditional microcomputer microprocessors

Megahertz (MHz) = 1 million cycles per second Gigahertz (GHz) = 1 billion cycles per second

Control unit = Part of the CPU that manages the data flow between the computer's other units Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) = Part of the CPU that performs arithmetic computations and logical operations

CD Drive = Reads data from CDs and writes data to CDs Hard Drive = Stores and retrieves digital information Expansion Cards = Add functionality to a computer

Control unit = Deciphers each instruction and carries out the instruction Main memory = Stores the instructions Arithmetic/logic unit = Performs arithmetic and logical operations Input and output devices = Communicates with the control unit

Machine cycle = A series of steps the CPU takes to execute an instruction Arithmetic operations = Fundamental math operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division Logical operations = Comparisons between two pieces of data Instruction = A command stored in the CPU for the control unit to decipher and carry out

Deciphering instructions = Control unit Performing arithmetic operations = Arithmetic/logic unit Performing logical operations = Arithmetic/logic unit Storing instructions = Main memory

= = Equal to

= Greater than = = Greater than or equal to < = Less than

Fetching an instruction = The process of retrieving a command stored in the CPU Executing an instruction = The process of carrying out a command stored in the CPU Comparing data = The process of determining if one piece of data is equal to, greater than, or less than another Storing data = The process of keeping information in the main memory for future use

Control unit = Deciphers and carries out the instruction Arithmetic/logic unit = Performs the operations required by the instruction Main memory = Provides the instruction to the control unit Machine cycle = The complete series of steps the CPU takes to execute an instruction

Bit = Each 0 or 1 Byte = A group of 8 bits Megabyte (MB) = 1 million (1,048,576) bytes Terabyte (TB) = 1 trillion (1,009,511,627,776) bytes

PCs = Tower or desktop; monitor is separate. Laptops = Monitor is attached to the system unit, like a clamshell. Tablets = Usually includes a touch-screen interface. Smartphones = Handheld system units.

ASCII = Requires 7 or 8 bits per character Unicode = Requires 16 bits per character EBCDIC = Requires 8 bits per character Extended ASCII = Provides 256 characters

Binary System = The basic data-representation method for computers uses just two numbers: 0 and 1 Machine Language = A binary-type programming language (0s and 1s) built into the CPU that is run directly by the computer Language Translators = The computer’s system software converts higher-level language instructions and data into machine language System Unit = The case that contains the computer’s electronic components used to process data

Kilobyte (KB) = 1,000 (1,024) bytes Gigabyte (GB) = 1 billion (1,073,741,824) bytes Petabyte (PB) = 1 quadrillion bytes Exabyte (EB) = 1 quintillion bytes

ASCII = Commonly used for microcomputers Unicode = Handles 65,536 characters—used for Chinese and Japanese EBCDIC = Used for IBM mainframes Extended ASCII = Requires 8 bits per character, depending on the version

Vacuum tubes = Used wire circuits inside them to facilitate the flow of electrons Transistors = A tiny electronic switch that can be turned 'on' or 'off' millions of times per second Microchips = Made from semiconductors and have gotten smaller and more powerful since the 1970s Semiconductor = A material whose electrical properties are intermediate between a good conductor and a nonconductor of electricity

Integrated circuit = All the parts of an electronic circuit embedded on a single silicon chip Silicon = A semiconductor made of clay and sand Microprocessors = The miniaturized circuitry of an entire computer processor on a single chip Chip = A tiny piece of silicon that contains millions of microminiature integrated electronic circuits

Vacuum tubes = Facilitate the flow of electrons through wire circuits inside them Transistors = Switch that can be turned 'on' or 'off' millions of times per second Microprocessors = Contain the central processing unit (CPU), which processes data into information Semiconductor = Perfect underlayer for highly conductive, complex circuits

Transistors = Replaced vacuum tubes Microchips = Store and process data in electronic devices Semiconductor = Used to make microchips Integrated circuits = Solid state (no moving parts)

Silicon = A semiconductor made of clay and sand Microprocessor = The miniaturized circuitry of an entire computer processor on a single chip Transistor = A tiny electronic switch that can be turned 'on' or 'off' millions of times per second Vacuum tubes = Used wire circuits inside them to facilitate the flow of electrons

Microchips = Have gotten smaller and more powerful since the 1970s Transistors = Replaced vacuum tubes Microprocessors = Enabled the development of small, mobile electronic devices Integrated circuits = All the parts of an electronic circuit embedded on a single silicon chip

Microchips, Miniaturization, & Mobility = 4.1 The Central Processing Unit & the Machine Cycle = 4.5 Secondary Storage = 4.7 Inside the System Unit: Power Supply, Motherboard, & Microprocessors = 4.3

UNIT4A = Processing: The System Unit, Microprocessors, & Main Memory UNIT4B = Secondary Storage 4.6 = Expansion Cards, Bus Lines, & Ports 4.2 = Representing Data Electronically

Microchips, Miniaturization, & Mobility = Electronic circuitry has remained basically the same over recent years The Central Processing Unit & the Machine Cycle = Part of a computer that carries out most of the processing inside a computer Secondary Storage = Non-volatile memory that is not directly accessible by the CPU Inside the System Unit: Power Supply, Motherboard, & Microprocessors = Components inside the computer case, excluding removable media or external hardware devices

Microprocessors = An integrated circuit that contains functions of a central processing unit of a computer Main Memory = The working memory of a computer where data is temporarily stored while being processed Expansion Cards = A circuit board inserted into a slot on the motherboard to add extra functionality to a computer Bus Lines = A communication system that transfers data between components inside a computer

4.1 = Microchips, Miniaturization, & Mobility 4.5 = The Central Processing Unit & the Machine Cycle 4.7 = Secondary Storage 4.3 = Inside the System Unit: Power Supply, Motherboard, & Microprocessors

Circuit = A closed path followed or capable of being followed by an electric current Motherboard = The main circuit board of a computer Power Supply = An electrical device that provides power to an electrical load Ports = An interface through which data is transferred in and out of a computer

Transistors

To act as a tiny electronic switch

Silicon

Binary

1,000 bytes

Monitor

Secondary Storage

To provide electrical power to the computer components

To connect the system unit to peripheral devices

Control unit

To manipulate three-dimensional computer graphics

The faster the CPU runs, the more power it consumes

Arithmetic/Logic unit

Fetch, decode, execute, store

Direct the movement of electronic signals