1. Hardware specifications

2. Processor (CPU) The 2 main features of a CPU are: Speed Type
Speed:- The CPU determines how fast instructions can be carried out. Processor speed is measured in MHz (MegaHertz) or GHz (GigaHertz)
MHz- executes approx 1million instructions per second
GHz- executes approx 1billion instructions per second

3. Memory In terms of a computer’s memory, it is important to know its:
capacity
type
word size
Speed
Memory capacity:-More memory indicates it can hold more programs at a time. Memory capacity is measured in Gigabytes(GB)

4. Memory capacity:-More memory indicates it can hold more programs at a time. Memory capacity is measured in Gigabytes(GB) Memory type:- There are 2 type of RAM (SDRAM) and (RDRAM) Word Size:- Word size determines the number of bits that can be stored and processed at a time by the CPU.eg. 32-bit or 64-bt

5. Hard Disk The 2 main specifications to note for a hard disk are its:
Storage capacity
Speed
Storage capacity: This determines the amount of information that can be stored for later use. Hard disk capacity is measured in GB and ranges from 120GB- 2TB
Speed:- Hard disk speeds are normally expressed as data transfer rates or revolutions per minute(rpm).

6. Class Activity
Interpret the hardware specifications below: Intel Pentium IV 64-bit 3.6 GHz Type: Intel Pentium IV Word size: 64-bits Processor speed:3.6GHz

7. Interpret the hardware specifications below: 2 GB 533 MHz SDRAM (Max – 4GB) Memory capacity: 2GB Speed: 533 MHz RAM Type: SDRAM

8. Interpret the hardware specifications below: 160 GB SATA HDD 7200 rpm Storage capacity: 160 GB Speed: 7200 rpm Hard disk controller: SATA *

9. Past Paper Questions May 2014
1(a) Arrange the following units of storage from the largest to the smallest:
Megabyte (MB)
Terabyte (TB)
Kilobyte (KB)
Gigabyte (GB)

10. May 2012
1(a) Arrange the following units of storage from the smallest to largest. Smallest on top:
Gigabyte (GB)
Terabyte (TB)
Kilobyte (KB)
Megabyte (MB)

11. May 2014
List the name of the hardware device that performs the given task:
Performs calculations within the CPU
Stores program instructions during the execution of the program
Implements the sequencing of instructions in the CPU
Produces audio output from a computer
Captures graphical data directly from a document for input to a computer