Head to www.savemyexams.

com for more awesome resources

Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE ICT Your notes

Components of Computer Systems

Contents
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Internal Memory
Input Devices
Output Devices
Storage

Page 1 of 18

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to www.savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Your notes
CPU
What is the purpose of the CPU?
The purpose of the Central Processing Unit (CPU) is to fetch, decode and execute instructions
The CPU is the brain of the computer and its job is to take an input, process data and produce an output

What is the Fetch-Execute cycle?

The Fetch-Execute Cycle is the cycle that the central processing unit (CPU) runs through billions of
times per second to make a computer work
The CPU is made up of 4 key components
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
Control Unit (CU)
Cache
Registers
A computer takes an input, processes the input and then delivers an output for the user
Input: Clicking a button on the gamepad
Process: The CPU inside the console follows a set of instructions to carry out the task
Output: The player moving on screen

Page 2 of 18

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to www.savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Your notes

The Fetch-Execute cycle stages

Fetch stage
During the fetch stage of the cycle, the next instruction or data must be fetched from the computer's
memory (RAM)
The instruction or data is brought back to the CPU

Decode stage
During the decode stage of the cycle, the CPU needs to work out what is required from the instruction
This could be a range of tasks depending on what the instruction or data included

Execute stage
During the execute stage of the cycle, the CPU will carry out the instruction that was fetched
Some examples that would take place at this stage are
Performing a calculation
Storing a result or data back in main memory (RAM)
Going to main memory to fetch data from a different location

Page 3 of 18

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to www.savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Internal Memory
Your notes
RAM
What is RAM?
RAM (Random Access Memory) is primary storage that is directly connected to the CPU and holds the
data and instructions that are currently in use (temporary)
RAM is volatile which means the contents of RAM are lost when the power is turned off
For the CPU to access the data and instructions they must be copied from secondary storage
RAM is very fast working memory, much faster than secondary storage
RAM is read/write which means data can be read from and written to
In comparison to ROM, it has a much larger capacity
RAM capacity can be increased to improve performance

ROM
What is ROM?
ROM (Read Only Memory) is primary storage that holds the first instructions a computer needs to start
up (Boot file)
ROM contains the BIOS (Basic Input Output System)
ROM is a small memory chip located on the computers motherboard
ROM is fast memory, much faster than secondary storage but slower than RAM
ROM is non-volatile which means the contents of ROM are not lost when the power is turned off
ROM is read only which means data can only be read from
In comparison to RAM, it has a much smaller capacity
ROM capacity can not be increased

Differences between RAM & ROM

Feature RAM ROM

Page 4 of 18

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to www.savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Stores Data & programs in use Boot file (start-up instructions)

Your notes
Capacity Variable Fixed

Contents Temporary Permanent

Read/Write Read & write Read only

Volatile/Non-volatile Volatile Non-volatile

WORKED EXAMPLE
State two characteristics of RAM
[2]
Answer
Two of:
RAM can be read from and written to [1]
RAM is volatile memory [1]
RAM is temporary storage [1]

Page 5 of 18

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to www.savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Input Devices
Your notes
Input Devices
What is an Input Device?
Input devices are hardware components that allow users to interact with a computer system
They enable the user to input data or commands into the system, which the computer then processes
to produce an output

Types of input devices

Input device Advantages Disadvantages

Keyboard Easy method of entering data Repetitive strain injury

(Entering data into a computer) Very common Slow to enter data
compared to direct data
entry

Numeric Keypad Fast Size of buttons can

impede some users
(ATMs , chip and PIN devices) Easy to use
Button layouts not
always the same

Pointing Devices Intuitive and precise control RSI (strain on wrist)

(Mouse) Fast to make on-screen choices Requires flat surface
People with disabilities
can find them difficult to
use

Remote Control Easy to use May require line-of-sight

(TV, hi-fi remotes) Can control from a distance Easily lost
Needs regular battery
replacements

Page 6 of 18

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to www.savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Pointing Devices Enhances gameplay/simulation Expensive

experience
(Joystick/Driving Wheel) Limited use outside of Your notes
Improve realism gaming and simulators
Accurate

Touchscreen Intuitive Screens can get dirty

(Smart phones & tablets) No need for a separate pointing Easily scratched
device
Less precise than a
Easy to keep clean mouse

Scanner Accurate reproduction Quality depends on

resolution
(Convert paper documents to Easy to share and store
electronic) High quality means can
Combined with barcodes be slow
becomes a DDE

Digital camera Vast amounts can be captured Storage compression

can lead to a loss in
(Taking photos/videos) No developing quality
Easy to share Need to be tech-savvy
to use effectively

Microphone Hands-free input Variable quality

(Input speech, sensor to pick up Can be used for voice Verbal inputs can be
sounds) recognition inaccurate
Fast Need to remember key
words/phrases

Analogue sensors Generally accurate May require calibration

(Measure environmental data Provides real-time information Data must be converted
e.g. temperature, light, sound, to digital data (ADC)
humidity etc.) Automatic
Data may need to be
Can collect data from places checked for accuracy
where they may be threat to
human life

Page 7 of 18

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to www.savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Light pen Accuracy for fine detail Lag

(Select/write on screen) Small & lightweight Only work on certain Your notes
types of screen
Easy to use
Dated technology

WORKED EXAMPLE
A house contains a microprocessor-controlled central heating system.
Identify two input devices that would be used in this system.
[2]
Answer
Two from:
Keypad
Temperature sensor
Override switch for timing
Touch screen
Remote control//smartphone//tablet

Direct Data Entry

What is a direct data entry device?
A direct data entry device is a device capable of inputting data into a computer with little/no human
interaction
Data collection and transfer is completed automatically

Types of direct data entry devices

Direct data entry device Advantages Disadvantages

Magnetic stripe reader Fast Magnetic stripes can get

damaged and become
(Debit/credit cards) Simple to use unreadable
Secure (unreadable) Reader must be in close
contact

Page 8 of 18

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to www.savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Chip and PIN reader Secure Requires PIN input

Reduced fraud risk Potential for skimming Your notes
High payment limits an issue
for stolen cards

RFID reader (read only) Fast transaction (no pin) Transaction limit is smaller
(Contactless payment) Data wirelessly transferred RFID signals can be
securely read/intercepted
Retailers don't have to
access customer
credit/debit information

RFID reader Very fast Radio waves can be

blocked/jammed
(Security tags on clothes, Data can be sent both ways
location tracking ) Tag collisions
Bulk detection
Possible to hack

Optical Mark Recognition Fast processing Limited to specific forms

(OMR, read marks on exam
paper in pen/pencil) Reduced human error Cannot read handwriting
Form must be completed
accurately

Optical Character Recognition Fast data entry Can struggle with complex
layouts
(OCR, text to digital data) Accurate and less error
prone Font dependent
Not always 100% accurate
Expensive

Page 9 of 18

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to www.savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Barcode reader Fast and accurate Requires line-of-sight

(reads barcode labels) Low cost Barcodes are easily damaged Your notes
Allows for automatic stock Barcodes can be
control swapped/altered by
consumers
Tried & trusted

QR scanner Can store more data than QR codes can store malicious
barcodes code
(QR codes)
Versatile uses Different QR code formats
Easy to read
Can be encrypted

WORKED EXAMPLE
For each of the following uses of data capture, name one appropriate direct data entry device. The
devices must be different in each case
a. Contactless credit cards [1]
Radio Frequency Identification/RFID reader [1]

b. Multiple choice answers in an examination paper [1]

Optical Mark Reader/OMR [1]

c. To scan items at a computerised till [1]

Bar Code reader/scanner [1]

Page 10 of 18

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to www.savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Output Devices
Your notes
Output Devices
What is an output device?
Output devices are hardware components that receive information from a computer system and
present it to the user in a comprehensible form
They enable the computer to communicate the results of processed data or commands

Types of output devices

Output device Advantages Disadvantages

Monitor Large viewing angles Run hot

(CRT) Can be used with light pens Heavy
Consume more power (than other
monitor types)

Monitor Low power Motion blur/ghosting

(LCD) Lightweight Colour & contrast variable from
different viewing angles
No flickering
No image burn-in

Monitor No motion blur/ghosting More expensive (than LCD)

(LED) Low power Contrast can be poor
Long life

Touch screen Intuitive Susceptible to smudge

(Output) Space-saving Potential calibration issues

Page 11 of 18

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to www.savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Multimedia projector Large display Requires darkened room

(Output computer usually to Good for presentations Expensive bulbs Your notes
much larger display)
Space saving Need separate audio
Quality is variable

Laser printer Fast Expensive initial cost

(Dry ink) High-quality prints Limited to flat surfaces
Lower cost per page

Inkjet printer Lower initial cost Slower

(Four/five wet inks) High-quality prints Higher cost per page
Ink can be refilled Ink may smudge

Dot matrix printer Low cost Noisy

(Inked ribbon) Can print multi-part forms Low print quality
Very good for long print Slow
runs

Plotters High accuracy Slow

(Drawing & blueprints) Can print on various Expensive to buy
materials
Large size
Inexpensive to run

3D printer Customisable designs Limited materials

Rapid prototyping Slow process
Medical benefits Counterfeit items easier to
produce
Very expensive

Page 12 of 18

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to www.savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Speakers Range of sizes and power Expensive for higher quality

outputs output
Your notes
Immersive audio Varying sound quality
Helps people with
disabilities

Actuators Precise movement Requires power

(Control motors, pumps, Programmable Potential mechanical wear
switches etc.)
Allow automatic control of Requires DAC interface
many devices

WORKED EXAMPLE
Complete the following sentences using the most appropriate items from the list below.

A 3D printer An ADC A compiler An interpreter A microphone

A monitor A numeric keypad A speaker A switch A USB

a. ________ is a device used to input a pin

[1]
A numeric keypad [1]
b. ________ analyses and executes a program line by line
[1]
An interpreter [1]
c. ________ produces output in the form of solid objects
[1]
A 3D printer [1]
d. ________ produces output in the form of sound
[1]
A speaker [1]

Page 13 of 18

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to www.savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Storage
Your notes
Storage Devices
What is a storage device?
A storage device is the hardware that reads from and writes to different storage medias
Storage devices are non-volatile secondary storage, that retain digital data within a computer system
They provide a means of storing, accessing, and retrieving data, which can include software
applications, documents, images, videos, and more
There are 3 types of storage device:
Magnetic
Solid State
Optical

Magnetic storage
Magnetic storage is a type of non-volatile media that uses magnets (polarity) to store binary 0s and 1s

Advantages Disadvantages

Capacity - High storage Durability - Moving parts can get damaged if dropped

Cost - Low per gigabyte Portability - Heavy & bulky making them less convenient for
transport

Speed - Moderate read/write Reliability - Prone to mechanical failure

access

Noise - Loud (spinning disks)

Solid state storage

Solid state storage is a type of non-volatile media that uses electronic circuits to store binary 0s and 1s

Advantages Disadvantages

Page 14 of 18

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to www.savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Capacity - Medium/high storage Cost - Very high per gigabyte

Your notes
Speed - Very fast read/write access Reliability - Limited read/write cycles

Durability - No moving parts

Portability - Small and no moving parts

Noise - Silent

Optical storage
Optical storage is a type of non-volatile media that uses lasers to burn the surface of a disk, creating
pits and lands suitable for storing binary 0s and 1s

Advantages Disadvantages

Cost - Very low per gigabyte Capacity - Very low

Durability - No moving parts Speed - Very slow read/write access

Portability - Small and no moving parts Reliability - Prone to scratches

Noise - Silent

Storage Media
What is storage media?
Storage media is the physical media that holds non-volatile data
Storage devices have a specific read/write mechanism built in to interact with a particular storage
media
For example, magnetic tape media is read by a magnetic storage device

EXAM TIP
Try not to get confused between storage devices and storage media.

Page 15 of 18

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to www.savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Think of storage devices as large pieces of furniture in your home e.g. bookshelf, chest of drawers
etc.
Your notes
Storage media is what you store in the furniture e.g. books on the shelf or clothes in the drawers
Storage media all hold data, but the way it stores/accesses it can be very different, so just like you
wouldn't store clothes on a bookshelf, you need to pair the correct storage device and storage
media

Example storage media

Media Use Advantages Disadvantages Storage
Devices

Hard disk General-purpose storage in Large storage Moving parts, Magnetic

drive computers and servers capacity (5TB), vulnerable to physical
relatively fast damage
(HDD)

Portable External storage for data Portable (5TB), large Slower than SSDs, Magnetic
hard disk transfer and backup storage capacity vulnerable to physical
drive damage

Magnetic Backup and archiving, High storage Slow access time, Magnetic
tape especially for large volumes capacity (10TB), low sequential access
of data cost

CD Audio and data storage, Affordable, widely Low capacity Optical

software distribution compatible (700MB), susceptible
to scratches

DVD Higher capacity storage for Higher capacity than Susceptible to Optical
data, video, and software CD (8.5GB), scratches, lower
distribution affordable capacity than Blu-ray

Blu-ray High-definition video and High capacity More expensive, and Optical
high capacity data storage (50GB), high- requires specific
resolution video hardware
storage

Page 16 of 18

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to www.savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Solid state Fast internal storage for Fast access time, no More expensive, Solid state
drive modern computers moving parts, high limited write cycles
Your notes
capacity (30TB)
(SSD)

Portable External storage for fast Fast access time, More expensive, Solid state
solid state data transfer and backup portable, no moving limited write cycles
drive parts, high capacity
(2TB)

USB Portable data storage and Small size, fast Limited capacity Solid state
memory transfer for various devices read/write speeds, compared to other
stick high capacity (1TB) storage devices

Flash Removable memory cards Very small, durable, Easy to lose due to Solid state
memory used in large capacities size, expensive per GB
smartphones/digital compared to HDD
(SD/XD) cameras

WORKED EXAMPLE
A program collects a large amount of data and this could be stored using either a fixed solid-state
drive (SSD) or cloud storage.
a. Describe four advantages to the school of using cloud storage rather than using the SSD
[4]
Answer
Four of:
The cloud has greater storage capacity [1]
The data could be sent directly to/from the cloud from any computer/device [1]
Storage capacity can be increased without adding additional physical devices [1]
Many people can share the data [1]
The school would only pay for the storage used [1]
There is an automatic backup of data [1]
b. Describe three disadvantages to the school of using cloud storage rather than using the SSD

Page 17 of 18

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to www.savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

[3]
Answer Your notes
Three of:
More security issues as multiple copies of the data are stored [1]
The school loses control over the storage of the data [1]
Cloud storage has an ongoing cost [1]
Users must have a reliable internet connection to store data [1]
Users must have an internet connection to access data [1]

Page 18 of 18

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers