Which component was a significant advancement in third-generation computers?

The significant advancement in third-generation computers was the use of integrated circuits. Integrated circuits represent a major leap in technology from previous generations as they allow multiple transistors and other components to be combined into a single chip of silicon. This miniaturization led to a substantial reduction in size, cost, and power consumption of computers while simultaneously increasing their speed and reliability.

The transition from earlier technologies, like vacuum tubes and transistors, to integrated circuits marked a key evolution in computing hardware. For instance, while transistors were a hallmark of the second generation, the incorporation of integrated circuits made third-generation computers capable of processing more data in a more compact form, ultimately leading to the rapid development of modern computing technology we see today.

Magnetic tape, while important for data storage, was not a defining advancement of third-generation computers but rather a method used across multiple generations.