4.2 Hardware Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the CPU?

A

It is a central procession unit and controls the manipulation of data. It uses data to perform operations. It includes:

  1. ALU
  2. CU
  3. Registers
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2
Q

What are CPU cores?

A

A core is a set of CU, ALU, and registers. Some CPUs have multiple cores, which means they can process instructions much more quickly.

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3
Q

What is done by the MDR?

A

It stores the current data needed to carry out instructions.

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4
Q

What is the ALU?

A

It is the arithmetic logic unit, where mathematical and logical calculations are done.

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5
Q

What is the CU?

A

It is the Control Unit, which controls the activities done by the CPU

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6
Q

What are Registers?

A

They are quick, small stores of data within the CPU.

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7
Q

What is the Von Neumann Architecture?

A

It contains three major characteristics:

  1. The Main Memory
    1. Stores Binary Values
  2. The CPU
  3. Inputs and Outputs
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8
Q

What is the Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle?

A

Fetch:

  1. The Address of the next instruction is copied from the PC into the MAR
  2. The PC is incremented by 1

Decode:

  1. The CU obtains the address of the current instruction from the MAR via the RAM
  2. The RAM returns the data to the MDR via the data bus

Execute:

  1. The data from the MDR is copied into the CIR and decoded by the ALU which results are stored in the ACC
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9
Q

What are the 5 Registers?

A
  1. Memory Data Register
  2. Memory Address Register
  3. Program Counter
  4. Current Instruction Register
  5. Accumulator
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10
Q

What is done by the MAR?

A

The MAR stores the address of the current data that the processor requires.

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11
Q

What affects a CPU’s Speed?

A
  1. The number of cores
  2. The Cache Size
  3. The Clock Speed
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12
Q

What is done by the PC?

A

The Program Counter stores the address of the next instruction, and it increments once the address is copied into the MAR.

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13
Q

What is done by the AC?

A

The accumulator stores mathematical and logic results being transferred from or to the memory unit.

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14
Q

What is done by the CIR?

A

The Current Instruction Register contains the current instruction which is being carried out.

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15
Q

Why do computers need a clock?

A

The clock provides timing signals to synchronize the circuits. CPUs are designed to operate at their respective clock speeds, the faster the clock speed the faster the CPU.

The faster the clock speed, the faster the fetch-execute-decode cycle.

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16
Q

What is Clock Speed?

A

The Clock Speed refers to the amount of electrical pulses that the clock inside the CPU can produce every second.

17
Q

What is the Main Memory (Primary Storage)?

A

It is what is directly accessible by the CPU and includes RAM, ROM, and Cache.

18
Q

What in included in the Main Memory?

A

It is memory directly accessible by the CPU, which includes RAM, ROM, and Cache - although predominantly it refers to the RAM.

19
Q

What are the two kinds of memory?

A

Volatile and Non-Volatile. Volatile Memory is temporary and lost when power is, whilst Non-Volatile memory retains data when power is lost.

Memory is normally Volatile, besides ROM. Storage is Non-Volatile

20
Q

What is the RAM?

A

Random Access Memory is RAM. Ram has quick read/write times. It loads open programs and operating system data currently in use. Essentially it stores the data of what is currently being used.

21
Q

What is ROM?

A

Read-only memory is Non-Volatile, and can only be read and cannot be changed. It contains essential programs, like the programs used to boot the computer.

22
Q

What is Cache Memory?

A

It is Volatile, and stores copies of frequently used data. CPU Cache sits between the CPU and RAM and is checked before RAM in the fetch phase. Because it stores commonly used data, it is placed much closer to the CPU, although browsers and storage may also have caches.

23
Q

What is Virtual Memory?

A

It is a temporary memory, it is a memory management procedure used when the RAM is full. It is created from secondary storage that is temporarily converted into volatile memory. Data from non-current processes are sent as pages from the RAM to the Virtual Memory, and it is much slower.

24
Q

What is Flash Memory?

A

It is Non-Volatile, a part of SSD (Solid-State Memory; non-mechanical). It is more reliable and durable, but can only be overwritten a finite amount of times.

25
Q

What are the Buses(Connections)?

A

Buses carry data around the computer, the names are representative of the data they carry. They are a collection of wires through which data is transmitted, and they are:

  1. Data Bus
  2. Address Bus
  3. Control Bus (Instructions)
26
Q

Which directions can the buses go?

A

CPU → Address Bus → RAM (UniDirectional)

CPU ←→ Data Bus ←→ RAM (Bidirectional)

CPU ←→ Control Bus ←→ RAM (Bidirectional)

27
Q

What is the Secondary Storage?

A

It is storage not directly connected to the CPU and is Non-Volatile.

28
Q

What are the keywords for Secondary Storage?

A
  1. Portability
  2. Durability
  3. Reliability
  4. Cost
  5. Capacity
  6. Speed
29
Q

What is Optical Storage?

A

It is storage stored through pits and lands. Data is written via laser to burn pits through the disks, light is then shone on the disks in which the reflection of light is used to read data.

It includes:

  1. CD
  2. DVD
  3. Blu-Ray
30
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Optical Storage?

A

Advantages:

  1. Good Portability
  2. Can be Rewritten

Disadvantages:

  1. Small Capacity
  2. Easily Damaged
31
Q

What is Magnetic Storage?

A

Magnetic Storage uses read/write heads that contain electromagnets. Parts of the disc are magnetized (1) or demagnetized (0) - and the heads read this.

32
Q

What is Solid-State Storage?

A

It is a form of flash memory, so it is non-mechanical. Electrons are stored in transistors and capacitors, in which data is stored. When it is connected to power, these electrons ‘flash’ into the device.

33
Q

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Magnetic Storage?

A

Advantages:

  1. Cheaper
  2. Larger Storage

Disadvantages:

  1. Easily Broken
  2. Noisy and generates heat
34
Q

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Solid-State Storage?

A

Advantages:

  1. Much Faster
  2. Reliable because non-mechanical
  3. silent
  4. portable
  5. don’t produce heat

Disadvantages:

  1. Expensive
  2. Degrades over multiple read-write cycles
35
Q

What is Cloud Storage?

A

Cloud Storage is data stored on multiple servers, in remote locations. Servers use magnetic/solid-state storage. It operates through a web-based API.

36
Q

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Cloud Storage?

A

Advantages:

  1. Easily Accessible anywhere with an internet connection
  2. Can share files with other people easily

Disadvantages:

  1. If no internet, no access
  2. Must trust Provider
  3. Can be expensive
37
Q

What are Embedded Systems?

A

They are special-purpose computers that perform very specific tasks and aren’t easily programmed. They include:

  1. Dishwashers
  2. Heating Systems
  3. Microwaves
  4. Calculators