Definitions
Hardware is a general term for the physical components that make up a computer system. Three examples are:
- Monitor
- Motherboard
- Printer
- Window 7
- Microsoft Word
- Adoble Reader
The CPU is the brain of the computer. The device that carries out software instructions.
CPUs usually plug into a large socket on the main circuit board (the motherboard) of the computer.
They get very hot when they are operating so usually have a large fan attached to their to keep them cool.
CPUs usually plug into a large socket on the main circuit board (the motherboard) of the computer.
They get very hot when they are operating so usually have a large fan attached to their to keep them cool.
The CPU needs to store data whilst its carrying out the processing required.
The data or instructions that are to be processed by the CPU must be placed into main memory.
Memory can be classed into two types: RAM and ROM.
The data or instructions that are to be processed by the CPU must be placed into main memory.
Memory can be classed into two types: RAM and ROM.
Random Access Memory
- A temporary store of data
- Holds the data that is currently being used by the user
- Volatile - so data is lost when the computer is turned off
- It can be read from or written to
- The data in RAM can be changed
- It is needed so that users are able to make changes to data they are working on/to store the program or data they are currently using
Read Only Memory
- Non- Voltage - not lost when computer is switched off
- Stores things such as: BIOS, programs in washing machine and program instructions for games
- The data cannot be changed
- It is so that programs/coding/software can be stored permanently/cannot be changed