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Study guide · 1.4

Explain fundamental hardware concepts

Every computing device has the same basic parts: a processor that does the work, memory that holds what is in use, and storage that keeps data when the power is off. Knowing these parts and their units helps you compare devices and understand why one runs faster or holds more.

A study feature written by ExamDragon, not part of the real exam. Each heading is one of Certiport's skills for this objective.

1.4.1Describe concepts related to computing devices

  • Computing devices include desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, smartwatches and servers; smart TVs and other connected (IoT) devices also contain small computers.
  • The CPU (processor) carries out instructions; more cores and a higher clock speed (measured in GHz) generally mean faster work.
  • The GPU (graphics processor) handles images, video and games; it can be built into the processor or be a separate card.
  • The motherboard connects all the parts; the power supply or battery provides energy.
  • Hardware is the physical parts you can touch; software is the instructions that run on them.
  • Desktops are usually easier to upgrade; laptops, tablets and phones trade some power and upgradability for portability and battery life.

Example: A graphic designer chooses a laptop with a strong processor and a separate GPU, while a student who mainly writes and browses is well served by a lighter, cheaper laptop.

1.4.2Describe concepts related to memory

  • RAM (random access memory) holds the apps and data currently in use; it is fast but volatile, meaning it is cleared when the power goes off.
  • More RAM lets you run more apps and browser tabs at once without slowing down.
  • ROM (read-only memory) holds start-up instructions (firmware) and keeps them without power.
  • Cache is a very small, very fast memory inside or near the processor.
  • Memory is measured in bytes: 1 KB is about a thousand bytes, 1 MB about a million, 1 GB about a billion, 1 TB about a trillion.
  • Memory (RAM) is not the same as storage; a phone advertised with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage has two different things.

Example: Your laptop slows down when you open twenty browser tabs, a video call and a spreadsheet together, because RAM is full; closing tabs frees memory and speeds it up.

1.4.3Describe concepts related to data storage

  • Storage keeps files and apps when the device is off; it is non-volatile.
  • An HDD (hard disk drive) uses spinning disks: cheaper per gigabyte, slower and more fragile.
  • An SSD (solid state drive) uses flash memory with no moving parts: faster, quieter and more resistant to knocks.
  • Removable storage includes USB flash drives, external drives and memory cards (such as microSD).
  • Cloud storage keeps files on a provider's servers over the internet. Examples: OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox.
  • Storage capacity is measured in GB and TB; the space you can actually use is a little less than advertised because the system uses some.

Example: You keep your photos on your phone, copy them to a cloud service so they are safe if the phone is lost, and move old videos to an external SSD to free space.

Key terms

CPU
The processor that carries out instructions.
RAM
Fast, temporary memory for what is in use now; cleared when power is off.
SSD
Fast storage that uses flash memory and has no moving parts.
Volatile
Losing its contents when the power is turned off.
Gigabyte (GB)
A unit of data size, about one billion bytes.

Easy to confuse

  • Confusing RAM with storage: RAM is temporary working memory, storage keeps files.
  • Ordering units wrongly; from small to large: KB, MB, GB, TB.
  • Thinking cloud storage is on your device; it is on remote servers and needs a connection to reach.
  • Assuming an SSD and an HDD of the same size perform the same; the SSD is much faster.

After this guide: You should be able to name the main parts of a computing device, tell memory from storage, and order data units by size.