Definition

1. Noun:
   • An electronic device in a computer that issues a steady high-frequency signal that synchronizes all the internal components: A system clock is a hardware component that generates a precise, constant timing signal (clock cycle) to coordinate the operations of the processor, memory, and other parts of the computer.
   • A time-of-day clock in a computer system: A system clock also refers to the software-based clock that keeps track of the current date and time, which is used by the operating system and applications.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Hardware Timing Device):
  • The speed of the CPU is determined by the frequency of the system clock.
  • If the system clock fails, the computer will not be able to function properly.
• Noun (Software Timekeeper):
  • The file's creation time is stored by the operating system's system clock.
  • Please ensure your computer's system clock is set correctly for the certificate to be valid.

Advanced Usage

• "To synchronize the system clock": To update the software time-of-day clock to match a standard time source, often over a network.
  • The server uses NTP to automatically synchronize its system clock with an atomic clock.

Variants and Related Words

• Clock speed (n): The operating frequency of a computer's processor, measured in hertz, which is governed by the system clock's signal.
  • A higher clock speed generally means a faster processor.
• Real-time clock (RTC) (n): A hardware clock, often a separate chip with a battery, that keeps track of time even when the computer is powered off. It provides the initial time data to the software system clock on startup.
  • The CMOS battery powers the real-time clock.

Synonyms

• Timer (for the hardware synchronization function).
• Internal clock (can refer to either the hardware oscillator or the software time).

Related Phrases

• System clock drift: A situation where the software system clock gradually becomes inaccurate compared to standard time.
  • We corrected the system clock drift by re-syncing with the time server.

Noun

1. an electronic device in a computer that issues a steady high-frequency signal that synchronizes all the internal components
2. a time-of-day clock in a computer system