30 Questions
Which law predicts that the number of transistors on a CPU will double every two years?
Moore's Law
Which of the following computer types is the lightest?
Smartphones
The processor market for desktop and laptop computers is dominated by which company?
Intel
Which of the following does NOT influence a CPU's processing power?
Speed of the motherboard
Which of the following activities is carried out by the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)?
Performs arithmetic calculations
Which of the following is not part of the machine cycle?
Render
Where is the CPU located?
on the CPU, itself
What type of storage is RAM?
volatile
How is the amount of RAM storage typically measured on modern computing devices?
gigabytes
What is the name of the memory-management technique used by Windows to monitor and preload frequently used applications?
SuperFetch
What is the best way to determine your RAM allocation?
List all programs you would run simultaneously and the amount of RAM each needs and add them together.
When referring to hard drives, what is measured by access time?
gigabytes
What is the main function of the control unit in a CPU?
To manage the flow of instructions and data
Which component of the CPU is responsible for executing arithmetic and logical operations?
Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
What is the purpose of cache memory in a CPU?
To store frequently accessed data and instructions for faster retrieval
Which technology allows a CPU to execute multiple instruction streams simultaneously?
Hyperthreading
What is the term used for running a CPU at a higher clock speed than the manufacturer's recommended setting?
Overclocking
Which component of a CPU is responsible for retrieving instructions from memory?
Control unit
What is the collection of commands that a specific CPU can execute called?
Instruction set
What is the technique that allows the CPU to work on more than one instruction at the same time?
Pipelining
Which memory component is the fastest and most expensive in a computer?
Registers
What do you call the delay when your hard drive has to wait for the correct sector to spin to the read/write head?
Latency
In a networked group of computers working together on a task, what is this process known as?
Parallel processing
Which aspect of a CPU design allows it to operate on multiple instructions simultaneously?
Hyperthreading
What is the purpose of a sound card?
To enhance audio capabilities by producing richer and more immersive sound
Which of the following is true about 3D sound cards?
They are better at convincing the listener that sound is coming from all directions
What is the purpose of running the Disk Defragmenter utility?
To optimize the storage of files on the hard drive for more efficient access
Which utility can be used to quickly remove temporary Internet files?
Disk Cleanup
What does the Windows Reset utility do?
Restores the computer to its factory default state
Which statement about system reliability is true?
Keeping software up-to-date with the latest versions can enhance system reliability
Study Notes
CPU Performance
- The collection of commands a specific CPU can execute is called the instruction set for that system.
- Pipelining is a technique that allows the CPU to work on more than one instruction at the same time.
- The CPU consists of two parts: the control unit and the arithmetic logic unit (ALU).
- The control unit is one component of the CPU.
- The arithmetic logic unit (ALU) performs arithmetic calculations.
CPU Design and Operation
- The rule of thumb that predicts the number of transistors on a CPU will double every two years is called Moore's Law.
- The processor market for desktop and laptop computers is dominated by Intel.
- Clock speed, number of cores, and amount of cache memory influence a CPU's processing power.
- The speed of the motherboard does not influence a CPU's processing power.
RAM and Memory
- RAM is an example of volatile storage.
- The amount of RAM storage on modern computing devices is usually measured in gigabytes.
- Windows uses a memory-management technique known as SuperFetch to monitor which applications you use most frequently and then preloads them into system memory.
Storage and Hard Drives
- The fastest, most expensive memory in your computer is registers.
- When a hard drive has to wait for the correct sector to spin to the read/write head, the delay is known as latency.
- Running the Disk Defragmenter utility will make the hard drive work more efficiently.
Parallel Processing and Networking
- When a large group of computers are networked to work together on a task, it is known as parallel processing.
- Hyperthreading provides high-speed information processing by enabling a new set of instructions to start before the previous set is finished.
Sound Cards and Utilities
- 3D sound cards do not produce surround sound.
- Running the Disk Cleanup utility is a quick way to clear out temporary Internet files.
- The Windows Reset utility returns your computer to the state it was in when it came from the factory.
Test your knowledge on concepts related to understanding and assessing hardware from Chapter 6 of 'Technology in Action Complete, 16th edition, Global Edition'. Questions cover topics such as Moore's Law, CPU performance changes over decades, and different types of computers.
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