1.1- Processor characteristics, Input/Output and Storage devices Flashcards
What is a heatsink?
The CPU’s own dedicated fan that serves the sole purpose of keeping it cool.
What is the CPU?
The circuitry/ hardware that controls the manipulation / processing of data
What is the ALU
The dedicated register that performs the arithmetic, logical, and shift operations on the data
What is the CU?
The dedicated register coordinating the activities of the CPU via control signals
What is a register?
Quick, small stores of data within the CPU
What is Von Neumann Architecture?
The Von Neumann architecture used the idea of storing program instructions and data in main memory and moving them between memory and the processor
It breaks computer systems down into 3 major components:
Main Memory
CPU
Input/output
Explain the role of the memory characteristic in the Von Neumann Architecture model
Instructions to be executed are stored in the memory (alongside the data) as binary values
This is the Stored Program Concept
What model contrasts with Von Neumann architecture?
The Harvard Model
What are the features of the Harvard model?
Harvard architecture keeps instructions and data in separate memories.
The processor accesses these memories using separate data and address buses
Where is the Harvard model usually featured?
In embedded systems and microcontroller devices
Explain the role of the CPU characteristic in the Von Neumann Architecture model
Instructions are executed sequentially
Meaning one Instruction at a time is fetched from Memory and passed to the CPU
What is the role of a system clock in a computer?
It provides a series of (on/off) timing signals to synchronise the operations of processor components (circuits)
How does clock speed work?
CPUs are designed to operate at a specific frequency
The system clock is raised to this rate by the processor
This provides the clock speed (Hz)
The CPU needs a certain amount of clock cycles per instruction
What factors effect CPU performance?
Instruction pipelining
Number of cores
Cache size
Clock speed
What is instruction pipelining?
It allows a processor to execute multiple instructions simultaneously by breaking them down into smaller
What is a prerequisite for pipelining?
In order to apply pipelining to a task, that task needs to be able to be broken down into subtasks that can be handled independently.
Why might some systems prefer a Harvard Architecture system?
Both memories can be accessed simultaneously. This minimises the issue of keeping the processor waiting while loading or saving data into memory
Why might some systems prefer a Von Neumann Architecture system?
It enables a more flexible use of the main memory, which allows the processor to run a variety of programs that are not known in advance.
What are CISC and RISC?
RISC and CISC are types of processors with different instruction set architectures (ISAs).
What is a feature of RISCs?
Their instruction set consists of simple commands designed to take the same time to execute:
one instruction is carried out per system clock cycle.
What is a feature of CISCs?
Designed to execute complex instructions so…
Instructions can take several clock cycles to be executed
What are GPUs
GPUs are processors designed for parallel processing, which can improve the performance of video- or graphic-intensive applications.
What is an advantage of a GPU?
It frees up the main processor to handle other tasks. Graphics cards contain their own sets of RAM as well as a processor.
How do you choose an appropriate method for data input?
Cost
Speed
Accuracy
Reliability
