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Each
component,
or part, of a
computers
hardware has
a purpose.
HARDWARE CATEGORIES
HARDWARE CATEGORIES
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
The brains inside the box and other stuff
A central processing unit (CPU) is
the brains of the computer. It
interprets computer program
instructions and process data.
Motherboard
HOW FAST IS MY COMPUTER?
A CPUs speed is determined by two main factors:
1) How fast it runs each instruction (clock frequency)
2) How much it remembers at one time (cache memory)
Primary Secondary
Storage Storage
Read-Only
Memory (ROM)
Random-Access
Memory (RAM)
PRIMARY STORAGE
Memory directly accessible by the CPU (typically on the
motherboard).
ROM RAM
Read-only memory Random-access memory
cannot be modified. is the main memory used
This information gets the to store information.
computer started upon Information can be access
power up. in any order (random).
Data remains unchanged Information is lost when
even when power is power goes out.
turned off.
Typically can add more.
SECONDARY STORAGE
Memory that is not directly accessible by the CPU, unless
using input or output channels.
Hard Drive
Used to store data that is not in
active use.
Slower than primary storage.
Holds a lot more information than
primary storage (e.g., terabytes).
Data remains unchanged even
when power is turned off.