Computer specifications
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how clock speed, cache size and number of cores affect the performance of a device.
Key learning points
- Clock speed is measured in gigahertz; 1 gigahertz = 1 billion cycles per second.
- Increasing the clock speed can increase performance but does depend on other components working that fast too.
- Increasing cache size will speed up the device.
- Increasing cores does not always increase performance.
Keywords
Clock speed - measured in gigahertz, this defines thenumber of FE cycles the CPU can complete per second
Cache size - onboard memory of the CPU, measured in megabytes
Core - mini processor inside the CPU carrying out instructions independently
Common misconception
Increasing cores and clock speed improves performance.
It can improve performance but not always, as other hardware components may not be able to work that way.
Teacher tip
Looking at different computer specifications on computers to buy can help, as well as looking at the task manager of a computer.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each example to its storage type:
Q2.Put these storage types in order from oldest to newest technology:
Q3.What type of storage uses lasers to read and write data?
Q4.Which type of storage is best for quick access and durability?
Q5.What is the main characteristic of magnetic storage?
Q6.What is the main advantage of solid state storage over magnetic storage?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each scenario to the correct effect:
Q2.What unit is clock speed measured in?
Q3.Which statement is correct about increasing CPU cores and clock speed?
Q4.What is a core in a CPU?
Q5.Put these steps in order for how a CPU processes instructions:
Q6.What does increasing the clock speed depend on?
To help you plan your 10 computer science lesson on: Computer specifications, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 computer science lesson on: Computer specifications, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 computer science lessons from the Computer Systems unit, dive into the full secondary computer science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.