Central Processing Unit

Question 1

CPU

Answer 1

The central processing unit that contains the processor, main memory and cache.

Question 2

Main Memory

Answer 2

The memory in the CPU that is used to temporarily store programs while they are running and the data used by these programs.

Question 3

Processor

Answer 3

The component in the computer that fetches, decodes and executes instructions.

Question 4

Cache

Answer 4

High speed memory in the CPU that is used to store a copy of frequently used instructions and data.

Question 5

Clock Speed

Answer 5

Measured in Hertz or cycles per second, the clock speed defines how many instructions per second the computer can execute.

Question 6

Level 1 Cache

Answer 6

Cache that is on the processor chip.

Question 7

Level 2/3 Cache

Answer 7

Cache that is on the motherboard, not on the processor. (More recent processors have L2 cache on the processor too)

Question 8

System Buses

Answer 8

The circuits/internal wiring that connects together the components within the CPU

Question 9

Fetch-Execute Cycle

Answer 9

The process by which a program is run

Question 10

Dual-Core/Quad-Core

Answer 10

A CPU that contains multiple processing components (cores) that can operate independently to process more than one task at a time.