GCSE Computing End of Topic

Topic 1 Computer Hardware

Test
1. Look at the following advert for a computer system

a) How much memory does this computer come with?

4GB
[1]
b) What does the 320GB mean?
The hard drive has 320GB of storage
[1]
c) Name 1 piece of software that is included with the computer.
Notepad
[1]
2. Complete the following table, marking which category each of the following devices
falls into.
Device

Input

Keyboard

YES

Touchscreen YES

Output

Storage

Processing

YES
YES

USB stick

YES

Modem
YES

CPU
Scanner

Communication

YES

[4]

3. Paul takes his computer to a local computer shop complaining that it is too slow
when playing games. The computer has an 800MHz processor, 512MB of RAM, a
CD-ROM drive and a 40GB hard disc.
a) Explain the purpose of RAM.
Programs and data currently in use can be stored here to be accessed quickly

[3]

b) Suggest two components Paul could upgrade to make his computer run
faster and explain how it will make the computer run quicker:
i.

Component: Processor
Reason: It would have a faster clock speed so processes could be
executed more quickly

ii. Component: Ram

Reason: More data can be stored for quick access

[4]

c) The computer shop recommends that Paul buys a new computer instead,
but Paul is concerned about the environmental impact of throwing his old
computer away.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of buying a new computer instead of
upgrading an old one and advise Paul what he should do. You should focus on
the environmental impact and the cost.
Getting a new computer maybe more efficient and produces less heat,
which is better for the environment. Modern computers cost very little, so
cost of a basic new machine is not something to worry about and would
be very worth it in the long term. Due to its efficiency, a new computer
would probably be cheaper to run. However, getting a new computer
would mean having to move the old one somewhere else, which may be
too physically exerting for a man such as Paul. [6]

4. Phyllis is learning about the CPU

a) Explain the purpose of the CPU.
To fetch, decode and execute instructions.

[2]

b) Explain why increasing each of the following will make a computer

system faster.
i.

Clock speed.
Processes will be processed more quickly

ii.

Cache size.
More data can be temporarily stored for quick access

iii. N u m b e r o f c o r e s.
More processes can be processed at once

[3]

5.
a) Give 2 differences between RAM and ROM.
i. RAM is faster than ROM
ii

ROM is permanent, RAM is not

[2]

b) A computer system has an 8MB cache and 2GB of memory.

i. Does the computer have more cache or more memory?
Memory.
ii. Explain the purpose of the cache
Store instructions that are frequently used.
iii. Explain what is meant by Virtual Memory
Memory that appears to be main storage, but is in fact secondary storage [3]

6. Kevin needs to make a backup of his photography portfolio. He also needs to be

able to send copies of his work to potential clients.

a) Explain why keeping a backup is important.

Storage drives can become corrupted and data can be lost, in such a tragedy its
nice to not lose all of your photos so you keep a backup
[2]
b) Give 1 example for each of the following storage technologies.
i. Optical
Optical disk drive
ii. Magnetic
Hard disk drive
iii. Solid State
Solid State Drive

[3]

c) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the storage technologies above

and advise Kevin on what storage method to use for each of his two problems.
Kevin should use a HDD for backup as it is cheap and backup does not need to
be accessed quickly. An SSD would be quicker at accessing data but it is more
expensive. He could use an optical disk to send copies of his work as these are
cheap and easy to access from another machine.
[6]