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CPU

AND gate

OR gate

NOT gate

Statements

Where does Logic happen?

Our smartphones and computers perform logic all the time. Every time you click a mouse, use touchscreen or any other input device, logic happens. Logic takes an input or inputs and is linked to a particular type of output. If I have a gaming pad in my hand and do nothing, then I expect nothing to happen in my game, but if i press a button, something should happen and if i press two buttons at once, maybe something else should happen.  All this is logic and is handled by "Logic gates". Logic gates are located in the Central processing unit (CPU) in your device.

The CPU is one of various components in side a computer or device. Look below to review other components.
  • CPU
  • Motherboard
  • RAM
  • HDD
  • Optical
  • SSD
  • All parts
  • Build it
<
>

Central Processing Unit

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The CPU executes data and instructions within a computer. Also performs logic and maths.

Motherboard

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The motherboard connects all other components together

Random Access Memory

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When you are looking at websites or playing a game, the computer is remembering the website or game on RAM. If there is a power cut, RAM will forget everything. When the power comes back on, the computer will not go back to the website or remember exactly which point the game was at. RAM comes in different sizes, the best games will need 16 or 32 gigabyte of RAM. Also, if your computer only has 2 or 4 gigabytes of RAM, try opening as many different websites/games/programs as possible. This will fill up your RAM...what do you think will happen to the computer if you keep opening programs?

RAM is known as primary storage while a magnetic hard disk drive, solid state or optical drive is known as secondary storage.

Magnetic Hard Disk Drive

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We like it when we can save games/work/pictures/music/files  to our computers. When you click "save" on your computer, you have the option to store your files onto the magnetic hard disk drive that is inside your computer. These days, magnetic hard disk drives allow your to store lots of files, in computer science we wold say they have a "large storage capacity"

Optical Disk Drive

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People buy CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays, 4K discs etc. All of these discs are called "optical media" and they are placed inside an "optical drive". The optical drive has a laser that shines though a lens (optical lens) on to the optical disc so that you can play (read) from the disc.

Solid State Drive

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The SSD is new technology. It is a replacement for the magnetic hard disk drive. The function of the SSD is as a secondary storage device that allows a computer owner to save work/music/pictures on to their computer. The SSD is better than the Magnetic hard disk drive (HDD) because it is faster, has no moving parts, generates less heat, smaller and more robust than the HDD.

Building a computer - Name the parts

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Answers
1 - Random Access Memory (RAM)
2 - Motherboard
3 - Magnetic hard disk drive
4 - Optical drive
5 - Fan
6 - Power supply
​7 - Tower/Case

Building a computer

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The outside of the computer is called a tower or case and inside it you put the motherboard. You then attach all the other components to the motherboard, including a graphics card (to play the best games), sound card (to improve sound quality), Network interface card (to access the internet) etc. You then close the case, buy a screen (monitor) and then plug in your computer. You will then have to buy and operating system (like windows) and load it on to the computer before it is ready for use.
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