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Most high-performance PCs use this processor.
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Pentium
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The CPU begins executing a second instruction before it completes the first instruction.
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pipelining
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Interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a computer.
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central processing unit or processor
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A microscopic pathway capable of carrying electrical current.
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integrated circuit
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An opening, or socket, where a circuit board can be inserted into the motherboard.
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expansion slot
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Human speech is __________, because it uses continuous signals that vary in strength and quality.
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analog
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This cycle is comprised of four basic operations - fetching, decoding, executing, and storing.
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machine cycle or instruction cycle
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Each tick of the system clock is called a(an)...
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clock cycle
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These chips are much faster than DRAM chips because they are synchronized to the system clock.
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Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)
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A(n) __________, which can be a peripheral or a chip, creates sound from digital instructions.
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synethesizer
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A thin credit card-sized device that adds memory, disk drives, sound, fax/modem, communications, and other capabilities to a mobile computer such as a notebook computer.
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PC Card
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Another component of the CPU. It performs arithmetic, comparison, and logical operations.
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arithmetic/logic unit (ALU)
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ROM chips, called __________, contain permanently written data, instructions, or information.
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firmware
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A small ceramic or metal component with fins on its surface that absorbs and ventilates heat produced by electrical components.
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heat sink
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A number system that has just two unique digits, 0 and 1.
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binary system
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The process of copying items from RAM to a storage device such as a hard disk.
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Saving
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A coding scheme capable of representing all the world's current languages.
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Unicode
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Less expensive, basic PCs use this brand of Intel processor.
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Celeron
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The CPU contains high-speed storage locations that temporarily hold data and instructions.
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registers
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__________ refers to memory chips storing data that only can be read.
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Read-only memory (ROM)
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Many of today's CPUs can execute more than one instruction per clock cycle.
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superscalar
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The amount of time it takes a processor to read data, instructions, and information from memory.
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Access time
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Helps speed the processes of a computer because it stores frequently used instructions and data.
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memory cache or Cache store or RAM cache
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The role of memory to store both data and programs.
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stored program concept
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A special processor chip or circuit board that assists the processor in performing specific tasks. It also increases the performance of a computer.
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coprocessor
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A small lever or screw that facilitates the installation and removal of processor chips.
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zero-insertion force (ZIF) socket
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The size of a bus, called the __________, determines the number of bits that the computer can transmit at one time.
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bus width
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An expansion card that converts computer output into a video signal sent through a cable to the monitor, which displays an image on the screen.
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video card or video adapter or graphic card
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An open area inside the system unit in which additional equipment can be installed.
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bay
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A blank ROM chip on which items can be placed permanently.
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programmable read-only memory (PROM)
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Unlike a serial port, this port is an interface that connects devices by transferring more than one bit at a time.
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parallel port
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Stores configuration information about the computer, such as the type of disk drives, keyboard, and monitor; the current date and time; and other startup information needed when the computer is turned on.
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Complementary metal oxide semiconductor memory or CMOS
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A method known as __________ uses multiple processors simultaneously to execute a program, speeding processor times.
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parallel processing
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Because a heat sink consumes a lot of room, a smaller device cools processors in notebook computers.
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heat pipe
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This brand of Intel processor is ideal for workstations and low-end servers.
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Xeon or Itanium
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The smallest unit of data a computer can represent.
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bit or binary digit
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A feature of PC Cards and flash memory cards which allows devices to be added and removed while a computer is running.
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hot plugging or hot swapping
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One type of interface that connects a device to the system unit by transmitting data one bit at a time.
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serial port
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One component of the CPU that directs and coordinates most of the operations in the computer.
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control unit
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These chips are a type of RAM that must be re-energized constantly or they lose their contents.
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Dynamic RAM or DRAM
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Today's processors use this technology, which is a set of instructions built into the processor that allows it to manipulate and process multimedia data more efficiently.
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MMX (multimedia extensions)
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A type of bus that allows the processor to communicate with peripheral devices.
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expansion bus
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A box-like case that houses the electronic components of the computer used to process data.
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system unit or chassis
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The main circuit board in the system unit.
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motherboard or system board
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A small circuit board that plugs into the motherboard, often to add additional capabilities to the motherboard.
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daughterboard
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These chips are faster and more reliable than any variation of DRAM chips.
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Static RAM or SCRAM
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Users running engineering, scientific, or graphics applications will notice a dramatic increase in speed in applications that take advantage of this.
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floating-point coprocessor
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Each channel along which bits are transferred, called a(n) __________, allows the various devices inside and attached to the system unit to communicate with each other.
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bus
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Joins a cable to a device.
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connector
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A small piece of semi-conducting material, usually no bigger than one-half-inch square, on which integrated circuits are etched.
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chip
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The CPU relies on a small chip to synchronize, or control the timing of, all computer operations.
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system clock
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When eight bits are grouped together as a unit.
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byte
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The time it takes the control unit to fetch and decode an instruction.
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intruction time (I-time)
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The component in the system unit that converts the wall outlet AC power into DC power.
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power supply
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The speed at which a processor executes instructions.
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clock speed or clock rate
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Memory chips that can be read from and written to by the processor and other devices.
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RAM (random access memory)
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Programmers use these instructions to program a PROM chip.
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microcode
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A device used to join two connectors that are either both female or both male.
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gender changer
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On a personal computer, all functions of the processor usually are on a single chip called...
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microprocessor
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Each integrated circuit can contain millions of these elements, which act as electronic switches that open or close the circuit for electronic signals.
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transistors
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Some external peripheral devices such as an external modem or tape drive have a(n) __________, which is an external power supply.
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AC adapter
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The interface, or point of attachment, of an external device to the system unit.
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port
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The number of bits the CPU can interpret and execute at a given time.
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word size
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One type of expansion card, which is a communications device, that enables computers to communicate via telephone lines or other means.
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modem card or internal card
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A temporary storage place for data, instructions, and information.
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Memory
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An expansion card that enhances the sound-generating capabilities of a personal computer by allowing sound to be input through a microphone and output through speakers.
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sound card
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The computer automatically can configure cards and other devices as they are installed.
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Plug and Play
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Most computers are __________, meaning that they recognize only two discrete states: on and off.
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digital
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Because bays most often hold disk drives, these spaces commonly are called __________.
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drive bays
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The time it takes the control unit to execute and store an instruction.
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execution time (e-time)
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