Computer specifications
I can explain how clock speed, cache size and number of cores affect the performance of a device.
Computer specifications
I can explain how clock speed, cache size and number of cores affect the performance of a device.
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Lesson details
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.
To help you plan your year 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 year 10 computer science lesson on: Computer specifications, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
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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.
Equipment
Pupils do not require any specific equipment for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
optical storage
magnetic storage
solid state storage
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
can improve performance if other components support it
makes data access quicker for the CPU
allows more tasks to be handled at once