Short Q/A Computer Systems

Your school is planning to purchase new printers for the computer lab. Give three advantages and disadvantages of impact and non-impact printers to help them make a decision.

Impact Printers: Advantages: Durable, can print multi-part forms, relatively inexpensive. Disadvantages: Noisy, slower printing speeds, lower print quality. Non-Impact Printers: Advantages: Quiet operation, high-quality prints, faster printing speeds. Disadvantages: More expensive, cannot print multi-part forms, limited durability. Related Questions: What is the function and significance of Napier’s Bone in early computing? How did Charles Babbage’s … Read more

You are a computer technician tasked with upgrading an older computer with a slow CPU. How might you improve its performance without replacing the entire CPU?

 You can upgrade the computer’s RAM to improve multitasking and performance, add an SSD to replace an older hard drive for faster data access, and ensure that the system has up-to-date drivers and software to optimize CPU utilization. Related Questions: What is the function and significance of Napier’s Bone in early computing? How did Charles … Read more

Imagine you are building a custom computer for a friend. Give three considerations you would take into account when choosing the type and size of memory for this computer.

When choosing memory, consider: Usage needs: For gaming or video editing, larger RAM is necessary, while for basic tasks, less may suffice. Motherboard compatibility: Ensure the memory type (e.g., DDR4) is supported by the motherboard. Performance requirements: Faster memory (higher clock speeds) may be needed for intensive applications to avoid bottlenecks. Related Questions: What is … Read more

What is pipelining, and how does it improve the efficiency of a CPU?

 Pipelining is a technique in which multiple CPU instruction stages (fetch, decode, execute, etc.) are overlapped. By allowing the CPU to work on several instructions simultaneously, pipelining increases processing speed and overall efficiency, reducing idle times and maximizing the CPU’s throughput. Related Questions: What is the function and significance of Napier’s Bone in early computing? … Read more

Why is the word size of a processor important, and how does it affect the computer’s performance?

Why is the word size of a processor important, and how does it affect the computer’s performance? The word size determines the amount of data a processor can handle in a single operation. A larger word size allows the CPU to process more data at once, improving performance in tasks such as calculations, data transfers, … Read more

Show memory hierarchy with the help of a diagram.

**CPU Registers (fastest, smallest) L1/L2 Cache Main Memory (RAM) Secondary Storage (HDD/SSD) Tertiary Storage (Backup storage, slowest, largest).) Related Questions: What is the function and significance of Napier’s Bone in early computing? How did Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine differ from the Analytical Engine? What is the primary goal of fifth-generation computers? Name the three types … Read more

Differentiate between volatile and non-volatile memory.

 Volatile memory loses its data when power is turned off, such as RAM. Non-volatile memory retains data even without power, like ROM or flash memory. Volatile memory is faster but temporary, whereas non-volatile memory is slower but provides permanent storage. Related Questions: What is the function and significance of Napier’s Bone in early computing? How … Read more

Name the three types of memory mentioned on the motherboard in the Von Neumann architecture.

 In the Von Neumann architecture, the three types of memory commonly found on the motherboard are: Primary memory (RAM) – Temporary storage for data and instructions the CPU is actively using. Secondary memory (hard drive, SSD) – Long-term storage for operating systems, applications, and user data. Cache memory – A small, high-speed storage located close … Read more

What is the primary goal of fifth-generation computers?

The primary goal of fifth-generation computers is to achieve artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. These computers aim to understand and interpret natural language, reason, and learn, which would enable them to perform tasks requiring human-like intelligence, such as decision-making, problem-solving, and recognizing patterns. Related Questions: What is the function and significance of Napier’s Bone in early … Read more

How did Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine differ from the Analytical Engine?

 The Difference Engine, designed by Charles Babbage, was a mechanical calculator intended for performing polynomial calculations automatically. It was limited to solving specific types of mathematical problems. In contrast, the Analytical Engine was more advanced, with the ability to perform a variety of operations through the use of an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), control flow … Read more