Summary

22 IT Essentials: PC Harware and Software Companion Guide■■L2 is external cache originally mounted on the motherboard near the CPU. L2 cache isnow integrated into the CPU.L3 is used on some high-end workstations and server CPUs.Error CheckingMemory errors occur when the data is stored incorrectly in the RAM chips. The computeruses different methods to detect and correct data errors in memory. Three different methodsof memory error checking are as follows:■■■Nonparity does not check for errors in memory.Parity contains 8 bits for data and 1 bit for error checking. The error-checking bit iscalled a parity bit.Error Correction Code (ECC) can detect multiple bit errors in memory and correctsingle bit errors in memory.Identify the Names, Purposes, and Characteristics ofAdapter CardsAdapter cards increase a computer’s functionality by adding controllers for specific devicesor by replacing malfunctioning ports. Figure 1-8 shows several types of adapter cards.Figure 1-8Adapter CardsAdapter cards are used to expand and customize the computer’s capability:■■NIC connects a computer to a network using a network cable.Wireless NIC connects a computer to a network using radio frequencies.