COMPUTER HARDWARE BASICS

1. What are the 4 main components of a computer?

 CPU
 Motherboard
 Ram
 Hard drive
2. Name 3 input and 3 output devices for a computer system.
Input

 Mouse, Keyboard, scanner

Output

 Printers, monitor, speaker

3. What is the brain of the computer?

 The computer brain is a microprocessor called the central processing unit (CPU)
4. What is cache memory and why is it important?

 A cache is a small and very fast temporary storage memory. It is important because it
improves the efficiency of data retrieval. It also stores program instructions and are
used repeatedly in the operation of programs or information that the CPU needs.
5. What allows the brain of the computer to interact/communicate with the other parts of a
computer?

 The motherboard uses circuits to connect and communicate the CPU to other parts
of the computer.
6. Explain the difference between memory and your hard-drive.

 Memory is RAM (Random access memory) and it is the workspace the computer
uses to get work done. On the other hand, Hard-drive is where it stores all the data
in a computer.
7. What are the similarities and differences between RAM, ROM and Hard-drives?
The similarities between RAM, ROM and hard drive is they are all memory devices
and stores data. The differences are RAM is a volatile memory (temporary memory)
and when system is turned off the data stored in the memory is lost. In contrast, ROM
is a non-volatile memory where it stores the type of information that enables the
computer to communicate when it wakes up. While hard-drive is storage memory. Its
where all of the programs you use on it are kept data stored in memory is never lost
when system is turned off (permanent memory).
8. What gives your computer power?

 The Power supply unit (PSU) is the component that supplies power to a computer.
9. Which two companies are famous for manufacturing computer processors?

 Famous manufacturers are Intel and AMD (Advance Micro devices)

10. What are the logical steps you would take prior to procuring a computer for yourself?

 Get a budget for the computer and stick to it

 Check Laptop requirements- either a desktop or laptop (
 Consider the computer brand
 Look at the brand reviews such as its processor, RAM, hard drive, graphics, screen
quality, anti-virus software and computer life line.
 Shop for affordable and cheapest deal.
 Buy the computer.