click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Hardware terminology
Hardware Stufs
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Hardware | Computer's physical components |
| Software | Instruction set for hardware, uses hardware for input, processing, storage, and output |
| Binary Number System | Writes and reads in two states |
| Bit | Short for “binary digit”, smallest unit of computing |
| Byte | Eight bits, Used for counting, calculation, storage operations |
| Motherboard | Largest, most important circuit board |
| CPU | Reads input, processes data, writes data to storage |
| Chipset | Group of microchips on the motherboard controlling data flow |
| Primary Storage | Temporary storage used by the processor |
| Secondary Storage | Enables data to persist after machine turned off |
| RAM | Temporary Memory for the Processor. Also known as Primary Storage |
| Hard Drives | Long-Term storage of memory, also know as Secondary Storage |
| Optical Drives | Reads and writes information on a disk |
| Traces | Fine lines on top and bottom of the motherboard’s surface |
| Bus | System of pathways, transmission protocols |
| Video Card | provides a port for the monitor |
| Sound Card | provides ports for speakers and microphones |
| Network Card | provides a port for a network cable |
| Power Supply | Converts AC voltage external source to DC voltage |
| BIOS (Basic Input/Output System | Data and instructions stored on ROM chips |
| CMOS RAM | includes date, time, port configurations Flash ROM |