MS Technology Vocabulary Chip
Jake Nyquist
January 2009
Computer 7-7
Chip (Integrated Circuit)
The integrated circuit, or chip, was invented by J.S. Kirby. Before the chip, the only computers were large room-sized machines with tubes that were expensive and hard to operate. In 1964, when the new integrated circuit was finally at a price within reach of most people, it took off. This new technology instantly shrunk the size of computers. Later, because of this technology, there would be the possibility of the personal computer that was affordable and small. Today, the computer chip is constantly shrinking. One reason is because the smaller the chip is, the less power and heat that it uses. These smaller chips can be used in laptops and other small devices, like cell phones. Gordon E. Moore’s law says that the size and processing power of chips would double every two years. Later Moore said that there would be a limit to his law at some point. Some examples of chips or components that use chips in a computer hardware are:
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
GPU (Graphics Card)
RAM (Random Access Memory)
System Board (Motherboard)
USB Flash Drives (Flash Memory)
Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_circuit#Invention
MS Technology Vocabulary Homepage Edited by Avery Tiras (2016)
