3.1 Computer architecture

Question 1

What is the role of the central processing unit (CPU) in a computer?

Answer 1

The CPU processes instructions and data that are
input into the computer so that the result can be
output

Question 2

What is a Microprocessor?

Answer 2

A microprocessor is a type of integrated circuit that is able to perform many of the functions of a CPU

Question 3

Name and explain the purpose of all the components in a CPU, in a computer that has a Von Neumann architecture.

Answer 3

In a Von Neumann CPU, the Control Unit manages operations, the ALU performs calculations, registers store temporary data, cache speeds up access, and buses transfer information.

Question 4

What are the factors that affect the CPU performance?

Answer 4

Clock Speed
Cores
Cache

Question 5

How does Clock Speed affect CPU performance?

Answer 5

The clock speed is the way we measure the speed of the CPU the faster the clock speed more information can be executed by the CPU per second.

Question 6

How do Cores affect CPU performance?

Answer 6

The CPU has cores, without these cores the CPU cannot operate also the more the cores the faster an instruction can be executed for example a 2-core CPU is a lot slower than a 8-core CPU

Question 7

How does Cache affect CPU performance?

Answer 7

The Cache memory is a temporary type of storage inside the CPU which stores data and instructions if the cache memory gets full, the CPU gets slower thus cannot operate fast while empty, the CPU operates as normal

Question 8

What is an instruction set?

Answer 8

An instruction set is a list of all the commands
that can be processed by a CPU and the
commands are machine code

Question 9

What is a embedded system?

Answer 9

a computer system that performs a dedicated function

Question 10

Identify devices in which embedded systems are commonly used in.

Answer 10

domestic appliances, cars, security systems, lighting systems or
vending machines