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Computer Science > Architecture of the CPU > Flashcards

Architecture of the CPU Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a general purpose computer

A

A computer that is designed to carry out different tasks. A PC is an example of a general purpose computer.

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2
Q

What can we use a general purpose computer for

A
  1. Access the internet
  2. Browse the world wide web
  3. Use word processing 4. software
  4. gaming
  5. communication
  6. designing, building web pages
  7. storing and retrieving data
  8. play videos and music
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3
Q

What is data

A

Information, usually numbers and words and letters that are collected for usage and are examined for a task

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4
Q

What is an address

A

A location of data usually in a memory stick or a disk

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5
Q

What is the CPU

A

Central Processing Unit
It is the most important hardware component of a computer. Its job is to process the instructions from the main memory. It runs one simple instruction at a time.

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6
Q

Where does the CPU access instructions and data from

A

RAM (Main memory)

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7
Q

What are the two major components of a CPU

A

Control Unit
ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

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8
Q

What was Von Neunam’s idea

A

To store program instructions and data in the same memory. Because of this, it is proven that program instructions and data used by programs are stored in the same memory

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9
Q

What is a register

A

A fast memory location in the CPU

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10
Q

What are the four registers in a CPU

A

Accumulator
Program Counter
MAR
MDR

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11
Q

What is the Accumulator’s function

A

Stores the arithmetic and logical results

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12
Q

What is the Program Counter’s function

A

To hold the address of the next instruction to be executed

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13
Q

What is the MAR (Memory Address Register) function

A

To hold the memory address of the current instruction and then the data it uses, so these are fetched from the memory

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14
Q

What is the MDR (Memory Data Register) function

A

To hold the actual instruction and then the data that has been fetched from the memory

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15
Q

What is the Control Unit function

A

It coordinates and controls all of the activities taking place within the CPU.

It decodes then executes instructions

It also directs timing and control of other CPU parts like a conductor of the orchestra

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16
Q

What is the ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) function

A

It is where arithmetic operations are calculated

It also carries out logical operations

17
Q

What are the steps in the FETCH cycle

A
  1. The address of the instruction to be executed is copied from the Program Counter to the Memory Address Register.
  2. The Control Unit then decodes the instruction and decides if data has to be fetched
  3. If yes, the MAR holds the address of the data to be used in the instruction. The data is then fetched and copied to the Memory Data Register
  4. The MAR knows where to look for data in the RAM. The MDR keeps hold of that data until its ready to be used in the CPU
18
Q

What are the 3 factors affecting a CPU’s performance

A

Clock speed
Processor Cores
Cache size

19
Q

What is clock speed

A

Clock speed is the cycles per second measured in hertz (HZ). It is a measure of how quickly the CPU is adapted to its function

20
Q

What are core processors

A

The number of cores is the number of duplicate processing units (cores) placed in one CPU. Depending on the number of cores, the amount of instructions is performed at the same time.

21
Q

What is cache size

A

The cache size is the memory on CPU, faster than RAM but slower than registers

22
Q

What happens if we have a faster clock speed

A

The faster the rate of instructions are processed

23
Q

How many cycles per second in 1KHz, 1MHz and 1GHz

A

1Hz = 1 cycle per second
1KHz = 1000 cycles per second
1 MHz = 1000000 cycles per second
1GHz = 1000000000 cycles per second

24
Q

What is a dual core processor

A

When there are 2 processors in the same integrated circuit linked. It has the potential to perform 2 instructions at the same time . It allows twice as many instructions to be executed

25
Q

What are the ideal conditions of increasing the core processors

A

A quad core processor has 4 linked processors and can be up to four times faster than a single core processor But if a computer is running a single program, it isn’t any faster since the program is probably designed to only run on one core.

26
Q

What are three cache levels

A

Level 1 cache = It is very fast but is small located on the CPU. Each core has its own level 1 cache

Level 2 cache = It is usually given to each core. It is very fast, but slower than level 1 cache

Level 3 cache = Slowest type of cache. Faster than RAM though

27
Q

What are the effects of cache memory

A
  1. It takes less longer to retrieve an instruction from there than on RAM. 2. Cache is closer to the processor than RAM as well.
  2. Program instructions and data fetched are stored in cache in case they are later required
28
Q

What are the advantages of cache memory

A
  1. In most systems, Level 1 cache is used 50% of the time, and level 2 is assessed 90% of the time. 2. Cache reduces the time that the CPU has to wait for instructions and data from RAM
29
Q

What are the disadvantages of cache memory

A

A
1. High costs than rest of memory
2. Handy storage capacity
3. Temporarily stores data
4. Volatile (unsaved data)
5. Increased margin costs than RAM, increasing the cost of the overall system

30
Q

What is an embedded system

A

A computer system built into other devices.

31
Q

What are examples of an embedded system

A

Dishwashers
Microwaves

32
Q

What are embedded systems frequently used for

A

They are used to control a device with single inputs. Without an embedded system, digital devices would be limited to using their single functions

33
Q

What are advantages of embedded systems

A
  1. Compact size
  2. High speed
  3. High reliability
  4. Low power consumption
  5. High accuracy
34
Q

What are disadvantages of embedded systems

A
  1. Hard maintenance
  2. No room for technological improvements
  3. Less power supply durability
  4. Hard to take backup of embedded files
  5. Difficult to update and upgrade
35
Q

What is the difference between a general purpose computer and an embedded system

A

General purpose computers can run multiple applications, whereas embedded systems only run one application and are designed for one specific purpose

General purpose computers can be programmed, embedded systems cannot be programmed

Embedded systems have runtime constraint speeds, while general purpose computers require faster execution

Computer Science (6 decks)

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