Chapter 4: The Components of the System Unit

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. On ____, the electronic components and most storage devices are part of the system unit and other
devices, such as the keyboard, mouse, and monitor, normally occupy space outside the system unit.
a. desktop personal computers c. mobile devices
b. notebook computers d. all of the above
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 210

2. The cases of the system unit, sometimes called the ____, is made of metal or plastic and protects the
internal electronic components from damage.
a. form factor c. motherboard
b. chassis d. chip
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 210

3. The ____ unit is a case that contains electronic components of the computer used to process data.
a. system c. control
b. master d. base
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 210

4. The ____ board is the main circuit board of the system unit.
a. control c. master
b. system d. index
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 212

5. A computer ____ is a small piece of semi-conducting material, usually silicon, on which integrated cir-
cuits are etched.
a. plug c. chip
b. port d. roster
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 212

6. A(n) ____ circuit, which is etched on a computer chip, contains many microscopic pathways capable
of carrying electrical current.
a. indexed c. calibrated
b. systematized d. integrated
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 212

7. A(n) ____, which is contained on an integrated circuit, can act as an electronic switch that opens or
closes the circuit for electrical charges.
a. transistor c. capacitor
b. switcher d. resistor
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 212

8. Some computer and chip manufacturers use the term ____ to refer to a personal computer processor
chip.
a. microprocessor c. coprocessor
b. parallel processor d. perpendicular processor
 ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 213

9. The ____ interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a computer.
a. control unit c. CPU
b. binary device d. compressor
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 213

10. A(n) ____ processor is a chip with two or more separate processors.
a. parallel c. multi-core
b. compressed d. binary
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 213

11. The ____ unit is the component of the processor that directs and coordinates most of the operations in
the computer.
a. control c. compression
b. concatenation d. micro
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 214

12. The ____ is the component of the processor that performs arithmetic, comparison, and other opera-
tions.
a. machine unit c. ALU
b. control unit d. CPU
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 214
13. In the machine cycle steps illustrated in the accompanying figure, ____ is the process of obtaining a
program instruction or data item from memory.
a. fetching c. executing
b. decoding d. storing
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 215

14. In the machine cycle steps illustrated in the accompanying figure, the term ____ refers to the process
of translating instructions into signals the computer can execute.
a. fetching c. executing
b. decoding d. storing
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 215

15. In the machine cycle steps illustrated in the accompanying figure, ____ is the process of carrying out
commands.
a. fetching c. executing
b. decoding d. storing
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 215

16. Together, four operations (fetching, decoding, executing, and storing) comprise a(n) ____ cycle.
a. baseline c. registration
b. machine d. pipeline
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 215

17. With ____, the processor begins fetching a second instruction before it completes the machine cycle
for the first instruction.
a. clocking c. pipelining
b. multi-core processing d. recatching
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 215

18. The pace of the system clock, called the ____ speed, is measured by the number of ticks per second.
a. temporal c. processor
b. system d. clock
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 216

19. A processor contains small high-speed storage locations, called ____, that temporarily hold data and
instructions.
a. indices c. capacitors
b. switchers d. registers
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 216

20. The processor relies on a small quartz crystal circuit called the ____ clock to control the timing of all
computer operations.
a. system c. unit
b. master d. control
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 216

21. Each tick of the system clock equates to a ____.

a. clock shot c. clock rhythm
 b. clock spring d. clock cycle
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 216

22. One gigahertz (GHz) equals one ____ ticks of the system clock per second.
a. thousand c. billion
b. million d. trillion
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 216

23. The faster the clock speed, the more ____ the processor can execute per second.
a. registers c. arguments
b. functions d. instructions
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 216

24. Most high-performance PCs use some type of processor in the Intel ____ family.
a. Core c. Xeon
b. Celeron d. Itanium
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 216

25. AMD is the leading manufacturer of ____-compatible processors, which have an internal design simil-
ar to Intel processors, perform the same functions, can be as powerful, but often are less expensive.
a. Macintosh c. Celeron
b. Intel d. Xeon
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 216

26. A type of processor called ____ on a chip integrates the functions of a processor, memory, and a video
card on a single chip.
a. computer c. Itanium
b. system d. control unit
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 218

27. A(n) ____ is a small ceramic or metal component with fins on its surface that absorbs and disperses
heat produced by electrical components such as a processor.
a. liquid cooler c. control unit
b. system brake d. heat sink
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 219

28. ____ technology uses a continuous flow of fluid(s), such as water and glycol, in a process that trans-
fers the heated fluid away from the processor.
a. Memory c. Fluid infusion
b. Dynamic heat transfer d. Liquid cooling
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 219

29. ____ consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed by the processor,
data needed by those instructions, and the results of processed data (information).
a. Concepting c. Concatenation
b. Dynamism d. Memory
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 223
30. The role of memory to store both data and programs is known as the ____ concept.
a. stored program c. ROM
b. random memory d. store and send
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 223

31. ____ is the most common type of volatile memory.

a. ROM c. CMOS
b. Flash memory d. RAM
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 223

32. The accompanying figure shows a(n) ____ module, which is a small circuit board where RAM chips
usually reside, being inserted into the motherboard.
a. index c. insertion
b. memory d. cooling
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 225

33. In the accompanying figure, memory ____ on the motherboard hold the memory modules.
a. slots c. sleeves
b. contacts d. pins
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 225

34. With a type of memory module called a(n) ____, such as that shown in the accompanying figure, the
pins on opposite sides of the circuit board do not connect and thus form two sets of contacts.
a. SIMM c. DIMM
b. RIMM d. CIMM
 ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 225

35. Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) chips ____.

a. transfer data twice for each clock cycle, when compared to DRAM
b. are synchronized to the system clock
c. do not have to be re-energized as often as DRAM chips
d. use pipelining techniques
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 225

36. Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM) chips are even faster than SDRAM chips because they
____.
a. transfer data twice for each clock cycle c. do not have to be re-energized as often
b. are synchronized to the system clock d. use pipelining techniques
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 225

37. Rambus DRAM (RDRAM) chips are another type of DRAM chips that are much faster than SDRAM
chips because they ____.
a. transfer data twice for each clock cycle c. do not have to be re-energized as often
b. are synchronized to the system clock d. use pipelining techniques
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 225

38. A ____ has pins on opposite sides of the circuit board that connect together to form one set of contacts.
a. DIMM (dual inline memory module) c. RIMM (Rambus inline memory module)
b. SIMM (single inline memory module) d. CIMM (Cantus inline memory module)
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 225

39. A ____ houses RDRAM chips.

a. DIMM (dual inline memory module) c. RIMM (Rambus inline memory module)
b. SIMM (single inline memory module) d. CIMM (Cantus inline memory module)
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 225

40. Generally, home users using basic application software such as word processing should have ____ of
RAM.
a. 2 GB or less c. 2 GB to 8 GB
b. 4 GB d. 8 GB and up
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 226

41. ____ is built directly into a processor chip and usually has a very small capacity.
a. L1 cache c. L3 cache
b. L2 cache d. L4 cache
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 227

42. Current processors include advanced transfer cache, a type of ____ built directly on a processor chip.
a. L1 cache c. L3 cache
b. L2 cache d. L4 cache
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 227

43. ____ is a cache separate from the processor chip on the motherboard.
 a. L1 cache c. L3 cache
b. L2 cache d. L4 cache
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 227

44. ROM chips called ____ contain permanently written data, instructions, or information that is recorded
when the chip is manufactured.
a. L1 cache c. firmware
b. Flash memory d. microcode
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 228

45. Programmers use ____ instructions to program a PROM chip.

a. microcode c. firmware
b. L1 cache d. Flash memory
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 228

46. ____ is a type of nonvolatile memory that can be erased electronically and reprogrammed, similar to
EEPROM.
a. Flash memory c. firmware
b. L1 cache d. microcode
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 228

47. As shown in the accompanying figure, a(n) ____ card is a circuit board that enhances functions of a
component of the system unit and/or provides connections to peripherals.
 a. peripheral c. conversion
b. adapter d. microcode
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 230

48. Many of today’s computers support ____, which means the computer automatically can configure ad-
apter cards like the one in the accompanying figure and other peripherals as users install them.
a. concatenation c. daisy chaining
b. peripherals d. Plug and Play
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 231

49. A(n) ____, such as a keyboard or printer, is a device that connects to the system unit and is controlled
by the processor in the computer.
a. graphics unit c. peripheral
b. output system d. video card
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 230

50. A(n) ____ card converts computer output into a video signal that travels through a cable to the monit-
or, which displays an image on the screen.
a. output c. express
b. video d. PC
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 230

51. Notebook and other mobile computers have at least one ____ slot, which is a special type of expansion
slot.
a. Flash c. integrated
b. ExpressCard d. embedded
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 231

52. ExpressCard modules are the next generation of ____ Cards.

a. Flash c. integrated
b. PC d. embedded
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 231

53. A(n) ____ module is a removable flash memory device about one-half the size of a PC Card that adds
memory, communications, and multimedia capabilities to mobile computers.
a. Flash c. integrated
b. ExpressCard d. embedded
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 231

54. A(n) ____ card is a removable device that allows users to transfer data and information conveniently
from mobile devices to their desktop computers.
a. cached c. integrated
b. USB d. memory
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 231
55. A(n) ____ flash drive is a flash memory device that plugs in a port like the one shown in the accompa-
nying figure on a computer or portable device.
a. peripheral c. embedded
b. fixed d. USB
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 231

56. A(n) ____ drive like that in the accompanying figure fits into a port that is itself an interface that can
connect up to 127 different peripherals together with a single connector.
a. hub c. daisy
b. USB d. smart
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 234

57. A USB ____ is a device that plugs in a USB port on the system unit like the one in the accompanying
figure and contains multiple USB ports in which users plug cables from USB devices.
a. hub c. link
b. router d. modem
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 234

58. A(n) ____ changer is a device that enables users to join two connectors that are both female or both
male.
a. gender c. interpolation
b. MTF d. FTM
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 232

59. Hi-Speed USB is also known as ____.

a. USB 1.0 c. USB 3.0
b. USB 2.0 d. USB 3.5
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 234

60. A ____ port was formerly referred to as an IEEE 1394 port.

a. serial c. FireWire
b. USB d. parallel
 ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 234

61. A FireWire ____ is a device that plugs in a FireWire port on the system unit like the one in the accom-
panying figure and contains multiple FireWire ports in which users plug cables from FireWire devices.
a. hub c. link
b. router d. modem
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 234

62. Bluetooth technology is ____.

a. similar to a USB port in that it can connect multiple types of devices that require faster
data transmission speeds
b. a special high-speed parallel port that allows users to attach peripherals such as disk drives
and printers
c. a special type of serial port that connects the system unit to a musical instrument
d. an alternative to IrDA that uses radio waves to transmit data between two devices
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 234

63. A special type of serial port that connects the system unit to a musical instrument, such as an electronic
keyboard, is called a(n) ____ port.
 a. FireWire c. MIDI
b. USB d. audio
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 235

64. A(n) ____, which can be a peripheral or a chip, creates sound from digital instructions.
a. external bus c. internal bus
b. synthesizer d. audiometer
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 235

65. A SCSI port is ____.

a. similar to a USB port in that it can connect multiple types of devices that require faster
data transmission speeds
b. a special high-speed parallel port that allows users to attach peripherals such as disk drives
and printers
c. a special type of serial port that connects the system unit to a musical instrument
d. an alternative to IrDA that uses radio waves to transmit data between two devices
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 235

66. For a wireless device to transmit signals via infrared light waves, both the computer and the device
must have a(n) ____ port.
a. IrDa c. USB
b. FireWire d. either b or c
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 235

67. Within the circuitry of a computer, each channel along which bits transfer, called a(n) ____, allows the
various devices both inside and attached to the system unit to communicate with each other.
a. charter c. bus
b. gender changer d. word
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 237

68. The size of a bus, called the bus ____, determines the number of bits that the computer can transmit at
one time.
a. diameter c. circumference
b. width d. interpolation
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 237

69. ____ size is the number of bits the processor can interpret and execute at a given time.
a. Bus c. Data
b. Byte d. Word
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 237

70. The wider the bus, the ____ the transfer of data.
a. greater the number of transfer steps required and the slower
b. greater the number of transfer steps required and the faster
c. fewer the number of transfer steps required and the slower
d. fewer the number of transfer steps required and the faster
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 237
71. The PCI bus is ____.
a. the most common and slowest expansion bus
b. a bus designed by Intel to improve the speed with which 3-D graphics and video transmit
c. a high-speed expansion bus that connects higher speed devices
d. a bus that eliminates the need to install cards into expansion slots
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 238

72. The Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) is ____.

a. the most common and slowest expansion bus
b. a bus designed to improve the speed with which 3-D graphics and video transmit
c. a high-speed expansion bus that connects higher speed devices
d. a bus that eliminates the need to install cards into expansion slots
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 238

73. The USB (universal serial bus) and FireWire bus are ____.
a. the most common and slowest expansion buses
b. buses designed to improve the speed with which 3-D graphics and video transmit
c. high-speed expansion buses that connect higher speed devices
d. buses that eliminate the need to install cards in expansion slots
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 238

74. ____ are installed in internal bays.

a. CD drives c. Zip drives
b. Floppy disk drives d. Hard disk drives
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 238

75. The ____ bus for a PC Card is the PC Card bus.

a. expansion c. interpolated
b. index d. power
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 238

76. A(n) ____ is an opening inside the system unit in which additional equipment can be installed.
a. domain c. port
b. supply d. bay
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 238

77. The power ____ is the component of the system unit that converts the wall outlet AC power into the
DC power a computer requires.
a. surge c. spotter
b. supply d. changer
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 239

78. Some external peripherals such as an external modem, speakers, or a tape drive have an AC ____,
which is an external power supply.
a. link c. suppressor
b. disk d. adapter
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 239
79. Preventive maintenance of your computer requires a few basic products, including ____.
a. lint-free antistatic wipes and swabs c. screen cleaning solution
b. antistatic wristband d. all of the above
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 240

80. The first step in cleaning a computer is ____.

a. turn it off, unplug it, and unplug all cables from the ports
b. vacuum the fan on the back of the computer case
c. wipe the case with an antistatic wipe
d. open the case
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 240

MODIFIED TRUE/FALSE

1. The electronic components and circuitry of the system unit, such as the processor and memory, usually
are part of or are connected to a circuit board called the fatherboard. _________________________

ANS: F, motherboard

PTS: 1 REF: 212

2. Giga is a prefix that stands for thousand, and hertz is one cycle per minute.
_________________________

ANS: F, Mega

PTS: 1 REF: 216

3. The system clock is one of the factors that influences a computer’s performance.
_________________________

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 216

4. Heat sinking uses a continuous flow of fluid to transfer the heated fluid away from the processor to a
radiator-type grill. _________________________

ANS: F, Liquid cooling

PTS: 1 REF: 219

5. Ubiquitous processing divides a problem into portions so that multiple processors work on their as-
signed portion of the problem at the same time. _________________________

ANS: F, Parallel

PTS: 1 REF: 220

6. Some applications draw on the idle time of home users’ personal computers to achieve parallel pro-
cessing. _________________________

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 220

 7. In the binary system, the digit 1 represents the electronic state of off (absence of an electronic charge).
_________________________

ANS: F, 0

PTS: 1 REF: 221

8. Manufacturers state the size of memory chips and storage devices in terms of the number of bytes the
chip or device has available for storage. _________________________

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 223

9. Most personal computers and servers use Unicode. _________________________

ANS: F, ASCII

PTS: 1 REF: 221

10. A port replicator is an external device that attached to a mobile computer or device and contains a
power connection and provides connections to peripherals. _________________________

ANS: F, docking station

PTS: 1 REF: 236

MULTIPLE RESPONSE

Modified Multiple Choice

1. Each integrated circuit on a computer chip can contain millions of ____.

a. receivers c. resistors
b. transistors d. capacitors
ANS: B, C, D PTS: 1 REF: 212

2. The speed of the system clock has no effect on ____.

a. printers c. disk drives
b. USB flash drives d. processing speed
ANS: A, B, C PTS: 1 REF: 216

3. Most computers are digital and recognize a(n) ____ state.

a. on c. off
b. enhanced d. ASII
ANS: A, C PTS: 1 REF: 221

4. Most business users who work with ____ should have between 2 GB and 8 GB of RAM.
a. voice recognition software c. programs requiring multimedia capabilit-
ies
b. number-intensive accounting software d. word processing software
ANS: A, B, C PTS: 1 REF: 226
 5. Flash memory chips store data and programs on many ____.
a. portable media players c. digital voice recorders
b. smart phones d. PDAs
ANS: A, B, C, D PTS: 1 REF: 228

6. Which of the following are peripherals?

a. CPUs c. modems
b. keyboards d. scanners
ANS: B, C, D PTS: 1 REF: 230

7. ____ is a type of adapter card.

a. USB 2.0 c. HDTV tuner
b. A disk controller d. A video capture card
ANS: A, B, C, D PTS: 1 REF: 230

8. Depending on the type of SCSI, which stands for small computer system interface, users can daisy
chain a maximum of ____ devices together.
a. 7 c. 12
b. 8 d. 15
ANS: A, D PTS: 1 REF: 235

9. In most computers, ____ is the number of bits the processor can interpret and execute at a given time.
a. word size c. processor speed
b. bus width d. sector size
ANS: A, B PTS: 1 REF: 237

10. Most of today’s processors have a bus clock speed of ____ MHz.
a. 400 c. 800
b. 667 d. 1600
ANS: A, B, C, D PTS: 1 REF: 237

TRUE/FALSE

1. The case of the system unit is made of metal or plastic and protects the internal electronic components
from damage.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 210

2. On a personal computer, the various functions performed by the processor extend over many separate
chips and often multiple circuit boards.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 212

3. The arithmetic unit interprets each instruction issued by a program and then initiates the appropriate
action to carry out the instruction.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 214

 4. Comparison operations include basic calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and di-
vision.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 214

5. Arithmetic operations involve comparing one data item with another to determine whether the first
item is greater than, equal to, or less than the other item.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 214

6. Processors that use pipelining are slower because they have to wait for one instruction to complete the
machine cycle before fetching the next.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 215

7. Each processor on a multi-core chip generally runs at a slower clock speed than a single-core pro-
cessor.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 216

8. Motorola is the leading manufacturer of Intel-compatible processors, which have an internal design
similar to Intel processors, perform the same functions, and can be as powerful, but often are less ex-
pensive.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 216

9. Replacing a motherboard is a fairly simple process, whereas replacing a processor is much more com-
plicated.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 218

10. Some heat sinks are packaged as part of a processor chip.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 219

11. Some computers use more than one processor chip.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 220

12. A byte is uninformative because it provides only enough different combinations of 0s and 1s to repres-
ent 8 individual characters.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 221

13. The combinations of 0s and 1s that represent characters are defined by patterns called a coding
scheme.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 221

14. If a memory chip can store 100 KB, it can hold approximately 100,000 bytes.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 223

15. When the computer’s power is turned off, volatile memory does not lose its contents.
 ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 223

16. The processor interprets and executes a program’s instructions while the program is in RAM.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 224

17. Saving is the process of copying items from a storage device such as a hard disk to RAM.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 225

18. Dynamic RAM (DRAM) chips are faster and more reliable than any version of SRAM chips.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 225

19. The amount of RAM necessary in a computer is unrelated to the type of software used.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 226

20. The more RAM a computer has, the faster the computer will respond.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 226

21. Two types of cache are memory cache and disk cache.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 227

22. L2 cache is slightly faster than L1 cache but has a much smaller capacity.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 227

23. When the processor needs an instruction or data, it searches memory in this order: L1 cache, then L2
cache, then L3 cache (if it exists), then RAM — with a greater delay in processing for each level it
must search.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 227

24. ROM is nonvolatile.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 228

25. Some portable media players store music on flash memory chips.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 228

26. Most computers use flash memory to hold their startup instructions because it allows the computer eas-
ily to update its contents.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 228

27. RAM technology uses battery power to retain information even when the power to the computer is off.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 229

28. Manufacturers and other retailers usually list a computer’s memory in terms of its access time.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 229

29. A microsecond is one-trillionth of a second.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 229

30. The access time (speed) of memory has no affect on the overall performance of a computer.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 229

31. Some motherboards include all necessary capabilities and do not require adapter cards like the one in
the accompanying figure.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 230

32. In the past, installing an adapter card like the one in the accompanying figure was not easy and re-
quired users to set switches and other elements on the motherboard.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 230

33. Having Plug and Play support means you can plug in a device, turn on the computer, and then immedi-
ately begin using the device.
 ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 231

34. Smart phones use memory cards.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 231

35. Female connectors have one or more exposed pins, like the end of an electrical cord that is plugged
into the wall.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 232

36. Manufacturers often identify cables by their connector types to assist users with purchasing a cable to
connect to a peripheral.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 233

37. USB ports on a mobile device usually are the same size as those on personal computers.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 234

38. USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 are backward compatible, which means they support older USB devices as well
as USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 devices.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 234

39. Hi-Speed USB is a more advanced and faster USB, with speeds 40 times higher than that of its prede-
cessor.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 234

40. A FireWire port allows a user to connect up to 15 devices together.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 234

41. The latest FireWire version, called FireWire 3200, is much faster than the original FireWire 400.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 234

42. A system unit with a MIDI port has the capability of recording sounds that have been created by a syn-
thesizer and then processing the sounds (the data) to create new sounds.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 235

43. Several devices that use IrDA ports use a high-speed IrDA port, sometimes called a fast infrared port.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 235

44. IrDA devices do not have to be aligned with each other.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 235

45. Buses transfer bits from input devices to memory, from memory to the processor, from the processor
to memory, and from memory to output or storage devices.
 ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 237

46. The data bus transfers information about where the data should reside in memory, and the address bus
transfers actual data.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 237

47. The larger the number of bits handled by the bus, the slower the computer transfers data.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 237

48. Computers with a larger word size can process less data in the same amount of time than computers
with a smaller word size.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 237

49. A system bus allows the processor to communicate with peripherals.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 237

50. A DC adapter converts the DC power from the wall outlet into the AC power that the peripheral re-
quires.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 239

COMPLETION

1. Less expensive, basic PCs use a brand of Intel processor(s) in the ____________________ or Pentium
family.

ANS: Celeron

PTS: 1 REF: 216

2. The ____________________ and Itanium processors are ideal for workstations and low-end servers.

ANS: Xeon

PTS: 1 REF: 216

3. To help consumers evaluate various processors, Intel and AMD now use a(n) ____________________
scheme that more accurately reflects the processing speed of their chips.

ANS: numbering

PTS: 1 REF: 217

4. Intel’s ____________________ technology provides the capability to track computer hardware and
software, diagnose and resolve computer problems, and secure computers from outside threats.

ANS: vPro

PTS: 1 REF: 217

 5. A(n) ____________________ program is written to run much faster than those in nonthreaded envir-
onments.

ANS: multi-threaded

PTS: 1 REF: 217

6. Because a heat sink consumes a lot of space, a smaller device called a heat ____________________
cools processors in notebook computers.

ANS: pipe

PTS: 1 REF: 219

7. A method known as ____________________ processing uses multiple processors simultaneously to

execute a single program or task.

ANS: parallel

PTS: 1 REF: 220

8. ____________________ processing is used by supercomputers for applications such as weather fore-

casting.

ANS: Parallel

PTS: 1 REF: 220

9. ____________________ is the most widely used coding scheme used to represent data.

ANS:
American Standard Code for Information Interchange
ASCII
ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)

PTS: 1 REF: 221

10. ____________________ is a coding scheme capable of representing almost all of the world’s current
written languages, as well as classic and historical languages.

ANS: Unicode

PTS: 1 REF: 221

11. The ____________________ system is a number system that has just two unique digits, 0 and 1,
called bits.

ANS: binary

PTS: 1 REF: 221

12. A(n) ____________________ digit is the smallest unit of data the computer can process.
 ANS: binary

PTS: 1 REF: 221

13. When 8 bits are grouped together as a unit, they form a(n) ____________________.

ANS: byte

PTS: 1 REF: 221

14. Each byte resides temporarily in a location in memory, called a(n) ____________________.

ANS: address

PTS: 1 REF: 223

15. ____________________ memory does not lose its contents when power is removed from the com-
puter.

ANS: Nonvolatile

PTS: 1 REF: 223

16. ____________________ stores the data being processed and the resulting information.

ANS: Memory

PTS: 1 REF: 223

17. A(n) ____________________ is the basic storage unit in memory.

ANS: byte

PTS: 1 REF: 223

18. A(n) ____________________ is equal to exactly 1,024 bytes, but computer users often round it down
to 1,000 bytes to simplify memory and storage definitions.

ANS:
kilobyte
KB
K

PTS: 1 REF: 223

19. A(n) ____________________ is equal to approximately 1 million bytes.

ANS:
megabyte
MB

PTS: 1 REF: 223

20. A(n) ____________________ equals approximately 1 billion bytes.

ANS:
GB
gigabyte

PTS: 1 REF: 223

21. ____________________ is a DRAM variation that is designed for computers with multi-core pro-
cessors.

ANS: DDR3

PTS: 1 REF: 225

22. Most of today’s computers improve processing time with ____________________, which stores fre-
quently used instructions and data.

ANS: cache

PTS: 1 REF: 227

23. ____________________ cache is a type of cache that helps speed the processes of a computer because
it stores frequently used instructions and data.

ANS: Programmable

PTS: 1 REF: 227

24. ____________________ refers to memory chips storing permanent data and instructions.

ANS:
Read-only memory
ROM
Read-only memory (ROM)
ROM (Read-only memory)

PTS: 1 REF: 228

25. A(n) ____________________ chip is a blank ROM chip onto which a programmer can write perman-
ently.

ANS:
PROM (programmable read-only memory)
programmable read-only memory (PROM)
programmable read-only memory
PROM

PTS: 1 REF: 228

26. A variation of the PROM chip, called a(n) ____________________ chip, allows a programmer to
erase the microcode with an electrical signal.

ANS:
 EEPROM
electrically erasable programmable read-only memory
EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory)
electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)

PTS: 1 REF: 228

27. Some RAM chips, flash memory chips, and other types of memory chips use ____________________
technology because it provides high speeds and consumes little power.

ANS:
CMOS
complementary metal-oxide semiconductor
CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor)
complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)

PTS: 1 REF: 229

28. ____________________ time is the amount of time it takes the processor to read data, instructions,
and information from memory.

ANS: Access

PTS: 1 REF: 229

29. A nanosecond (abbreviated ns) is one ____________________ of a second.

ANS: billionth

PTS: 1 REF: 229

30. A(n) ____________________ enhances the audio-generating capabilities of a personal computer by

allowing sound to be input through a microphone and output through external speakers or headphones.

ANS: sound card

PTS: 1 REF: 230

31. A(n) ____________________ card converts computer output into a signal that travels through a cable
to the monitor, which displays an image on the screen.

ANS:
video
graphics

PTS: 1 REF: 230

32. A(n) ____________________ card connects computers through telephone or cable television lines.

ANS: modem

PTS: 1 REF: 230

33. A(n) ____________________ card connects other computers and peripherals.

 ANS: network

PTS: 1 REF: 230

34. A(n) ____________________ slot is a socket on the motherboard that can hold an adapter card like
the one in the accompanying figure.

ANS: expansion

PTS: 1 REF: 230

35. A(n) ____________________ is the point at which a peripheral attaches to or communicates with the
system unit so it can send data or receive information from the computer.

ANS: port

PTS: 1 REF: 232

36. A(n) ____________________ joins a cable to a peripheral.

ANS: connector

PTS: 1 REF: 232

37. Instead of port, the term ____________________ sometimes is used to identify audio and video ports.

ANS: jack

PTS: 1 REF: 232

38. USB 3.0 is more than ____________________ times faster than USB 2.0.

ANS:
10
ten

PTS: 1 REF: 234

39. A(n) ____________________ port is similar to a USB port in that it can connect multiple types of
devices that require faster data transmission speeds.

ANS:
FireWire
IEEE 1394

PTS: 1 REF: 234

40. A(n) ____________________ port is a type of interface that connects a device to the system unit by
transmitting data one bit at a time.

ANS: serial

PTS: 1 REF: 235

MATCHING

Identify the letter of the choice that best matches the phrase or definition.
a. Bluetooth k. parallel
b. SCSI l. multi-core
c. eSATA m. serial port
d. IrDA n. pipelining
e. MIDI o. nanosecond
f. word size p. CMOS
g. bay q. ROM
h. AGP r. nonvolatile
i. PCI s. byte
j. external t. motherboard
1. Frees processors from having to wait for one instruction to complete the machine cycle before fetching
the next
2. An opening inside the system unit in which you can install additional equipment
3. A bus designed by Intel to improve the speed with which 3-D graphics and video transmit
4. This kind of processor is a chip with two or more processors
5. Type of bay that allows a user to access openings in the bay from outside the system unit
6. Type of processing used by supercomputers
7. Technology that uses radio waves to transmit data between two devices
8. Memory usually consists of one or more chips on this
 9. The basic storage unit in memory
10. SAS is a newer type of this kind of port
11. Type of memory that can keep its contents when the power is removed from the computer
12. Allows you to connect a hard disk that is popular because of its fast data transmission speeds
13. Port that allows a device to transmit data via infrared light waves
14. The data on this type of chip cannot be modified
15. The flash memory chips that store a computer’s startup information frequently use this kind of techno-
logy
16. Special type of serial port that connects the system unit to a musical instrument
17. An extremely fast unit of time
18. The number of bits the processor can interpret and execute at a given time
19. Type of port that can transmit data one bit at a time
20. A high-speed expansion bus that connects higher speed devices

1. ANS: N PTS: 1 REF: 215

2. ANS: G PTS: 1 REF: 239
3. ANS: H PTS: 1 REF: 239
4. ANS: L PTS: 1 REF: 213
5. ANS: J PTS: 1 REF: 239
6. ANS: K PTS: 1 REF: 220
7. ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 234
8. ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 212
9. ANS: S PTS: 1 REF: 223
10. ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 234
11. ANS: R PTS: 1 REF: 223
12. ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 234
13. ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 234
14. ANS: Q PTS: 1 REF: 228
15. ANS: P PTS: 1 REF: 229
16. ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: 235
17. ANS: O PTS: 1 REF: 229
18. ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 237
19. ANS: M PTS: 1 REF: 235
20. ANS: I PTS: 1 REF: 238

ESSAY

1. Explain what the motherboard is, and use the following terms in your answer: chip, integrated circuit,
and transistor

ANS:
 The motherboard, sometimes called a system board, is the main circuit board of the system unit. Many
electronic components attach to the motherboard; others are built into it. Memory chips are installed
on memory cards (modules) that fit in a slot on the motherboard. A computer chip is a small piece of
semi-conducting material, usually silicon, on which integrated circuits are etched. An integrated circuit
contains many microscopic pathways capable of carrying electrical current. Each integrated circuit can
contain millions of elements such as resistors, capacitors, and transistors. A transistor, for example,
can act as an electronic switch that opens or closes the circuit for electrical charges. Today’s computer
chips contain millions or billions of transistors. Most chips are no bigger than one-half-inch square.
Manufacturers package chips so the chips can be attached to a circuit board, such as a motherboard or
an adapter card..

PTS: 1 REF: 212 TOP: Critical Thinking

2. What is the system clock?

ANS:
The processor relies on a small quartz crystal circuit called the system clock to control the timing of all
computer operations. Just as your heart beats at a regular rate to keep your body functioning, the sys-
tem clock generates regular electronic pulses, or ticks, that set the operating pace of components of the
system unit.
Each tick equates to a clock cycle. In the past, processors used one or more clock cycles to execute
each instruction. Processors today often are superscalar, which means they can execute more than one
instruction per clock cycle.
The pace of the system clock, called the clock speed, is measured by the number of ticks per second.
Current personal computer processors have clock speeds in the gigahertz range. Giga is a prefix that
stands for billion, and a hertz is one cycle per second. Thus, one gigahertz (GHz) equals one billion
ticks of the system clock per second. A computer that operates at 3 GHz has 3 billion (giga) clock
cycles in one second (hertz).
The faster the clock speed, the more instructions the processor can execute per second. The speed of
the system clock has no effect on devices such as a printer or disk drive. The speed of the system clock
is just one factor that influences a computer’s performance. Other factors include the type of processor
chip, amount of cache, memory access time, bus width, and bus clock speed.

PTS: 1 REF: 216 TOP: Critical Thinking

3. Discuss a comparison of personal computer processors. Distinguish between Intel and Intel-compatible
processors.

ANS:
The leading processor chip manufacturers for personal computers are Intel and AMD. These manufac-
turers often identify their processor chips by a model name or model number. High-performance com-
puters today may use a processor in the Intel Core family. Less expensive, basic personal computers
may use a brand of Intel processor in the Pentium or Celeron family. The Xeon and Itanium families of
processors are ideal for workstations and low-end servers.
AMD is the leading manufacturer of Intel-compatible processors, which have an internal design simil-
ar to Intel processors, perform the same functions, and can be as powerful, but often are less expens-
ive.
In the past, chip manufacturers listed a processor’s clock speed in marketing literature and advertise-
ments. Clock speed, however, is only one factor that impacts processing speed in today’s computers.
To help consumers evaluate various processors, manufacturers such as Intel and AMD now use a num-
bering scheme that more accurately reflects the processing speed of their chips

PTS: 1 REF: 216-217 TOP: Critical Thinking

4. Discuss parallel processing and explain what massively parallel processing is as well.

ANS:
Parallel processing is a method that uses multiple processors simultaneously to execute a single pro-
gram or task. Parallel processing divides a single problem into portions so that multiple processors
work on their assigned portion of the problem at the same time. Parallel processing requires special
software that recognizes how to divide the problem and then bring the results back together again.
Some personal computers implement parallel processing with dual-core processors or multi-core pro-
cessors. Others have two or more separate processor chips, respectively called dual processor or multi-
processor computers.
Massively parallel processing is large scale parallel processing that involves hundreds or thousands of
processors. Supercomputers use massively parallel processing for applications such as artificial intelli-
gence and weather forecasting.

PTS: 1 REF: 220 TOP: Critical Thinking

5. What are the three types of RAM? Describe each type in detail.

ANS:
• Dynamic RAM (DRAM pronounced DEE-ram) chips must be re-energized constantly or they lose
their contents. Many variations of DRAM chips exist, most of which are faster than the basic DRAM.
Many variations of DRAM chips exist, most of which are faster than the basic DRAM. Most personal
computers today use some form of SDRAM chips or RDRAM chips.

• Static RAM (SRAM pronounced ESS-ram) chips are faster and more reliable than any variation of
DRAM chips. These chips do not have to be re-energized as often as DRAM chips, thus, the term stat-
ic. SRAM chips, however, are much more expensive than DRAM chips. Special applications such as
cache use SRAM chips.

• A newer type of RAM, called magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM pronounced EM-ram), stores data us-
ing magnetic charges instead of electrical charges. Manufacturers claim that MRAM has greater stor-
age capacity, consumes less power, and has faster access times than electronic RAM. Also, MRAM re-
tains its contents after power is removed from the computer, which could prevent loss of data for users.
As the cost of MRAM declines, experts predict MRAM could replace both DRAM and SRAM.

PTS: 1 REF: 225 TOP: Critical Thinking

6. Explain what cache is used for, making sure to cover each of the types of cache.

ANS:
Most of today’s computers improve processing times with cache (pronounced cash). Two types of
cache are memory cache and disk cache. This chapter discusses memory cache. Memory cache helps
speed the processes of the computer because it stores frequently used instructions and data. Most per-
sonal computers today have two types of memory cache: L1 cache and L2 cache. Some also have L3
cache.

• L1 cache is built directly in the processor chip. L1 cache usually has a very small capacity, ranging
from 8 KB to 128 KB. The more common sizes for personal computers are 32 KB or 64 KB.

• L2 cache is slightly slower than L1 cache but has a much larger capacity, ranging from 64 KB to 16
MB. When discussing cache, most users are referring to L2 cache. Current processors include ad-
vanced transfer cache (ATC), a type of L2 cache built directly on the processor chip. Processors that
use ATC perform at much faster rates than those that do not use it.
 Personal computers today typically have from 512 KB to 12 MB of advanced transfer cache. Servers
and workstations have from 12 MB to 16 MB of advanced transfer cache.

• L3 cache is a cache on the motherboard that is separate from the processor chip. L3 cache exists only
on computers that use L2 advanced transfer cache. Personal computers often have up to 8 MB of L3
cache; servers and workstations have from 8 MB to 24 MB of L3 cache.

Cache speeds up processing time because it stores frequently used instructions and data. When the pro-
cessor needs an instruction or data, it searches memory in this order: L1 cache, then L2 cache, then L3
cache (if it exists), then RAM — with a greater delay in processing for each level of memory it must
search. If the instruction or data is not found in memory, then it must search a slower speed storage
medium such as a hard disk, CD, or DVD.

PTS: 1 REF: 227 TOP: Critical Thinking

CASE

Critical Thinking Questions

Case 1
In your role as a consultant for people buying new computer systems, you always work hard to stay
abreast of the latest RAM guidelines for the various levels of users.

1. One of your clients is a power user who runs CAD software. Which of the following configurations
would be an appropriate system for her?

a. AMD Sempron processor, with 1 GB b. AMD Athlon 64 X2 processor, with 2 GB

memory memory
c. AMD Athlon X2Dual-Core processor, with d. AMD Quad Core Opteron processor, with
1 GB memory 8 GB memory

ANS:
d.

PTS: 1 REF: 239 TOP: Critical Thinking

2. Another client used to just use standard application software but with the purchase of a new computer,
he expects to start creating Web sites, playing Internet games, and participating in video conferences.
Which of the following configurations would be a good match for his new anticipated needs?

a. AMD Sempron processor, with 1 GB b. AMD Athlon X2 processor, with 4 GB

memory memory
c. AMD Athlon X2 Dual-Core processor, d. AMD Quad Core Opteron processor, with
with 1 GB memory 8 GB memory

ANS:
b.

PTS: 1 REF: 239 TOP: Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking Questions

Case 2
 Ports and connectors have always been a little bit of a mystery to you, so you have decided to learn
more about them.

3. You are looking for a port that will allow a system unit to have the capability of recording sounds that
have been created by a synthesizer and then processing the sounds to create new sounds. Which of the
following ports satisfy this requirement?

a. IrDA b. Bluetooth
c. eSATA d. MIDI

ANS:
d.

PTS: 1 REF: 235 TOP: Critical Thinking

4. You have a new wireless headset that you plan to connect to your smart phone. Which of the following
types of headsets do you have?

a. IrDA b. Bluetooth
c. eSATA d. MIDI

ANS:
b.

PTS: 1 REF: 234 TOP: Critical Thinking