1.1 Systems Architecture Flashcards
What are the components of a computer?
CPU, memory and storage
What is the function of the CPU?
Fetch-decode-execute cycle of instructions in a step-by-step manner
What is the function of memory?
Stores program operations and data during the execution cycle of a program
What is the function of storage?
Stores program files and data even when not in use
List a few examples of memory.
Registers, cache, RAM and virtual memory
List a few examples of storage.
Hard drives, SD cards, USB memory disk and CD
The speed of a computer depends on what factors?
Speeds of CPU, memory and bus
What is benchmarking?
A test to access the performance of a computer
What factors affect the performance of a CPU?
Cores, clock rate, cache size and processor type
True or False: Increasing the number of cores 5 times, increases the speed of computer 5 times.
False, because communication channels use up some speed.
What is clock rate?
Clock rate indicates the number of instructions processed by a CPU in a second.
What is over-clocking?
Increasing the speed of the computer by increasing the CPU clock speed is called over-clocking
What is cache?
Cache is a small memory part located closer to CPU when compared to RAM to hold temporary data and instructions that the CPU is expected to use frequently.
True or False: Accessing cache is faster than accessing RAM.
True
How is cache classified?
Cache is classified into three levels as Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3(L3).
Which of these caches are shared between cores: L1, L2 or L3?
L3 cache
What are the types of processors?
Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) and Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC)
Which of the two processors offer a higher clock speed: CISC or RISC?
CISC
What are embedded computers?
Embedded computers are designed to perform a dedicated function within a large mechanical or electrical system.
What is the function of the address bus?
Transmits the address between the processor and memory
What is the function of a data bus?
Transmits data between the processor, memory and input-output devices
What is the function of a control bus?
Transmits signals of the processor to control the memory and peripheral devices
List the registers used in von Neumann architecture
MAR, MDR, ACC, PC and CIR
What are the steps involved in a READ operation?
Address→MAR
Read signal is sent by processor
Data→MDR
What are the steps involved in a WRITE operation?
Data→MDR
Address→MAR
Write signal is sent by processor
What does a processor consist of?
ALU (Arithmetic and Logic unit) and Control Unit (CU)
What is the function of an ALU?
Performs arithmetic and logic operations
What is the function of a CU?
Controls the memory, processor and input-output devices
List the registers of a CU.
CIR (Current Instruction Register) and PC (Program Counter)
What are the steps involved in a fetch operation?
Address of next instruction→PC
PC→MAR
Instruction→MDR
MDR→CIR
Value of PC incremented
