Resource limitations
Resource Management[1]
A system resource is any usable part of a computer that can be controlled and assigned by the operating system so all of the hardware and software on the computer can work together as designed. System resources can be used by users, like you, when you open programs and apps, as well as by services which are usually started automatically your operating system. Note: A system resource is sometimes called hardware resource, computer resource, or just resource.[2]
What would the consequences be if we limited...[edit]
| Resource | Description | Consequence of limiting... |
|---|---|---|
| Primary memory | Primary Storage is the area in the computer where data is stored for quick access by the computer's processor. RAM is often synonymous with this term. | Your computer looks to grab information from different places, such as the RAM. If you don't have enough RAM storage, the OS will have to store information in places such as the secondary memory, which is much slower. This is called swapping. As such you will experience drops in frame rate and/or performance. |
| Secondary storage | Secondary storage is storage that is non-volatile, meaning that the data is kept even when the device is turned off. The data within a secondary storage device is also held until deleted or overwritten. Examples of secondary storage devices are: Hard Drives (HDD), Solid-State Drive (SSD), Floppy Disks and USB Drives. | Once you run out of secondary storage, such as on your HDD and SSD. Your operating system will notify you that you have run out of space and you will not be able to continue downloading any data. If one of your programmes requires you to create a save, you will not have enough data, limiting the functionality of the programme. If you are also running out of primary storage, the operating system will not be able to store information on the Hard Drive. |
| processor speed | Measures in MHz (megahertz) and GHz (gigahertz), this is the number of instructions per second that the processor can execute. The CPU asks the OS for specific tasks using a bootloader (a bootloader is a computer program that loads the operating system when the computer powers on) and interrupts. Interrupts are signals to the processor that alerts the processor to a high-priority condition requiring the interruption of the current task the processor is executing. | foo |
| bandwidth | Bandwidth, which is the amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of time, is expressed in multiples of bits per second in digital devices. In analog devices, it is expressed in hertz. A "bus" with low bandwidth can hamper a fast hard drive. The operating system allocates bandwidth to each program, input or output method. | LIMITATIONS- For example, in WIFI we can have a limited amount of bandwidth, so if it is used up, everything becomes a lot slower. Also, if a lot of people connect to the same internet source, the bandwidth has to be shared between them, which also makes the connection slower. |
| screen resolution | Number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. It is usually quoted as width × height for example, "1024 × 768." The Screen resolution depends on the operating system (OS), as such one can change the screen resolution through the OS. | Screen Resolution is mainly limited by RAM, therefore a low RAM can result in smaller frame rate and/or lower resolution. |
| disk storage | Disk storage is a storage mechanism where data is recorded using various methods : Electronic, magnetic, optic or mechanical. Disk storage is stored by a computer processor and communicates within a computer with the use of input and output operations (I/O). Disk storage is managed by the operating system by determining when to read and write from a storage point. | foo |
| sound processor | Sound card - provides input an output of audio signals to and from a computer. Most sound cards use a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), which converts recorded or generated digital data into an analog format. The output signal is connected to an amplifier, headphones, or external device | Puts the burden of having to process sound on the CPU, slowing down the system as a result. Overall sound quality drops |
| graphics processor | foo | Low quality graphics, drops in frame rate due to the processor not being able to render assets fast enough, graphical glitches due to the assets not being rendered fast enough |
| cache | Cache memory is a small-sized type of volatile computer memory that provides high-speed data access to a processor and stores frequently used computer programs, applications and data. It is the fastest memory in a computer, and is typically integrated onto the motherboard and directly embedded in the processor or main random access memory (RAM). | Consequences of limited cache memory could be slower executions of tasks and lags in graphics. This is caused by the need to switch to slower storage options like RAM which is farther away from the CPU so is therefore slower. |
| Network connectivity | foo | If network connectivity was limited, it would cause you to have Internet connection slowed down, which causes the systems the user is connecting to, to respond with a certain delay. |
Standards[edit]
- Identify the limitations of a range of resources in a specified computer system.
- Describe the possible problems resulting from the limitations in the resources in a computer system.