Final answer:
The speed at which system components function is controlled by the clock on the motherboard, which is crucial for coordinating the operation of the entire system. The actual speed at which the system components function is determined by a chip on the CPU called the clock (or system crystal).
Step-by-step explanation:
The actual speed at which system components function is determined by a chip on the motherboard called the clock (or system crystal). This component is responsible for establishing the rate at which processes execute by generating a consistent timing signal, which is referred to as the clock speed.
The actual speed at which the system components function is determined by a chip on the CPU called the clock (or system crystal). Mostly found in computers and similar technological devices, the clock is a critical part of a microprocessor, ensuring the synchronized operation of all system components.