LO 1 - Select Measuring Instruments

1.1 Identify the objects or components to be measured

Activity Sheet 3.1.1

What am I?
Directions:
Identify the name of the component from column B and give the correct function of it
from column C. (example Video Card- a)

Column A

Column B

1.

Column C
a) It is where your software,
RAM (random access
documents, and other files are
stored. It is a long-term storage,
memory)
which means the data is still
saved even if you turn the
computer off or unplug it.
Video card

2.

3.

CPU/processor

Micro
cards

SDHC
Cards

SD

Hard drive

Memory

Memory

b) It is responsible for what you

see on the monitor. And is ideal
for playing graphics-intensive
games
c) It is sometimes called the brain
of the computer, and its job is to
carry out commands.
d) Was initially a popular method of
storing images in mobile phones.
In actual size they are the
smallest commercially available
memory card at 15111mm but
can store up to 2GB of

4.

5.

Multi Media
(MMC)

Cards

information
e) It is your system's short-term
memory and disappears when
the computer is turned off.
f) These are memory cards but
with a higher capacity. Original
SD cards only went up to 2GB,
so SDHC was invented with a
maximum capacity of 32GB.
They are identical in shape and
size, but they are different media
types. Though your camera may
fit a SDHC, be careful because if
the camera was made before
SDHC came along it may not
recognise it.

Activity Sheet 3.1.1

What am I?

Answer Key:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

RAM (random access memory) e

Micro SD Memory cards d
SDHC Memory Cards f
Hard drive a
Video card b

Information Sheet 3.1.1

Types of Components and Objects to be Measured

1. CPU/processor

Also called a processor, is located inside the

computer case on the motherboard. It is
sometimes called the brain of the computer,
and its job is to carry out commands.
Whenever you press a key, click the mouse,
or

start

an

application,

you're

sending

instructions to the CPU.

The CPU is usually a two-inch ceramic
square with a silicon chip located inside.
The chip is usually about the size of a
thumbnail.

The

CPU

fits

into

the

motherboard's CPU socket, which is covered

by the heat sink, an object that absorbs heat
from the CPU.
A

processor's speed is

in megahertz
instructions

(MHz),
per

measured

or

second;

millions

of

and gigahertz

(GHz), or billions of instructions per second.

A faster processor can execute instructions
more quickly. However, the actual speed of
the computer depends on the speed of many
2. RAM (random access memory)

different componentsnot just the processor.

It is your system's short-term memory.
Whenever

your

computer

performs

calculations, it temporarily stores the data in

the RAM until it is needed.
This short-term memory disappears when
the computer is turned off. If you're working
on a document, spreadsheet, or other type of
file, you'll need to save it to avoid losing it.
When you save a file, the data is written to
the hard drive, which acts as long-term
storage.
RAM is measured in megabytes (MB) or
gigabytes (GB). The more RAM you have, the
more things your computer can do at the
same time. If you don't have enough RAM,

you

may

notice

that

your computer

is

sluggish when you have several programs

open.

Because

of

this,

many

people

add extra RAM to their computers to improve

performance.
3. Hard drive

It is where your software, documents, and

other files are stored. The hard drive is longterm storage, which means the data is still
saved even if you turn the computer off or
unplug it.
When you run a program or open a file, the
computer copies some of the data from
the hard

drive onto

the RAM.

When

you save a file, the data is copied back to

the hard drive. The faster the hard drive, the
faster your computer can start up and load
programs.

4. Video card

The video card is responsible for what you

see on the monitor. Most computers have
a GPU (graphics processing unit) built into
the motherboard instead of having a separate
video card. If you like playing graphicsintensive games, you can add a faster video
card to one of the expansion slots to get
better performance.

Types of Memory Cards:

SD (Secure Digital) Memory Cards:

SD cards are by far the most common type of memory card. They are compatible with the
majority of digital cameras.
SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) Memory Cards:
These are SD memory cards but with a higher capacity. Original SD cards only went up to
2GB, so SDHC was invented with a maximum capacity of 32GB. They are identical in shape
and size, but they are different media types. Though your camera may fit a SDHC, be
careful because if the camera was made before SDHC came along it may not
recognise it.
SDXC (Secure Digital Xtra Capacity) Memory Cards:
These are SD cards but with a much higher capacity and faster processing speeds. These
have a maximum capacity of 2TB (Terabytes). Similar to SDHC, in that an SDXC fits in a
normal SD slot but your camera may not be able to recognise this newer technology, so
always check in advance. Computers also need to be able to read the exFAT filesystem to be
compatible with SDXC. Currently Linux, Windows 7, Mac OSX (Snow Leopard) and some
earlier versions of Microsoft Windows are compatible.
CompactFlash (CF) Memory Cards:
CompactFlash (CF) cards offer very high storage capacities and fast processing times. They
were first introduced by Sandisk in 1994 and were widely used, but now they are usually
only found in the most advanced DSLRs. Last year Canon chose CompactFlash as the
recording media for use in its new lineup of professional high definiton (HD) video cameras.
Micro SD Memory cards:
Micro SD cards were initially a popular method of storing images in mobile phones. In
actual size they are the smallest commercially available memory card at 15111mm but
can store up to 2GB of information. The Micro SDHC versions are able to store much larger
files from 4GB-32GB. Micro SD cards are now more commonly seen in GPS systems and
MP3 players, however a small number of digital cameras (recent Samsung compact models)
are also compatible with them.
xD Picture cards (standing for eXtreme Digital) are a Fujifilm format used in some
(older) Fuji and Olympus cameras, although these brands are now routinely
compatible with more standard SD/SDHC technology.
Memory Stick Duo Memory Cards:

Memory Stick Duo was launched, and is still used, by Sony digital cameras.
Most Sony cameras are now also compatible with SD cards.
Multi Media Cards (MMC):
Multi Media Cards have the same physical appearance as Secure Digital Cards, but just
without the access lock. They are used as an alternative to SD and will fit
most compatible cameras, although transfer rates are lower.
UHS-II:
UHS-II standard SDHC/SDXC cards were recently released by Sandisk and aim to offer
quicker transfer rates, increasing write speeds up to 250MB/s or faster. The Sandisk
Extreme Pro cards match up with the sheer amount of data streaming through the
cameras buffer when shooting lots of Raw files or high quality HD movies. Prices can range
between around 50-150 depending on the capacity (currently 16-64GB).
CFast 2.0 standard:
In 2012, the CompactFlash Association announced the CFast 2.0 Standard, promising read
and write speeds of more than double what was then the current standard. In September
2013, SanDisk released the first CFast 2.0 card, billed as the worlds fastest memory card,
promising read speeds of up to 450MB/s and write speeds of up to 350MB/s.

Assessment

Essay
In one whole sheet of paper answer the following questions:

1. How is CPU differs from RAM?

2. Why do you need to consider the storage capacity of the components?
3. If the video card is not present, what will happen to your computer? How can you solve
this problem? Are there any alternative solutions for it?
4. If you are given a chance to make a component what would it be and why? Please
include a drawing or an illustration.

Rubrics for Scoring the Essay