Component 1 - Computer Systems Flashcards
What affects the CPU speed?
- Clock Speed
- Number of Cores
- Cache Size
- SSD
PC (Program Counter)
Holds memory address of the instruction for each cycle
Accumulator
Holds answers from the ALU
MAR
Holds address that’s about to be used by the CPU
MDR
Holds the data of the current cycle
FDE cycle
- Instruction is taken from the Main Memory and stored in a register
- Instruction is decoded by ALU and stored in Accumulator
- CPU then carries out the decoded instruction
Volatile Memory
- Memory than needs power to stay on, RAM
Non-Volatile Memory
- Memory that keeps its contents always, ROM
ROM
- ROM cannot be changed and holds Bootstrap Loader
RAM
- Holds all Programs currently in use
Features that you look for storage?
- Robust
- Portability
- Durability
- Speed
- Price
Virtual Memory
- Used as extra space for the RAM, located on Hard Disk
Tertiary Storage
- Backing up large amounts of data
Primary Storage
- Memory with small capacity but is fast compared to secondary storage
- Usually volatile (besides ROM)
Secondary Storage
- Bigger but slower compared to Primary Storage
- All is Non-Volatile
Embedded System
- Computer device built into another device for a specific purpose
Features of Von Neuman Architecture
- Data and Instructions stored in Main Memory
- Computer split into many components, each with a different task
What are programs made up of
- Instructions and Data stored in Main Memory
BIOS (Basic Input Output System)
Built in core to start computer
What is the ALU
Performs Logic Operations and Calculations
Control Unit
Manages the FDE cycle, controls flow of data in/out the CPU
Cache
Stores frequently used memory close to the CPU so it can accessed quickly
3 Parts of the CPU
- Cache
- CU
- ALU
GPU (Graphical Processing Unit)
Handles graphics/image processing
Optical Storage (CD, DVD’s, Blue-Ray)
- Cheap, Portable
- Small Storage, Unreliable, Slow Read/Writes
- Comes in 3 forms: Read Only/Write Once/Rewritable
Magnetic Storage (Cassettes)
- Cheap, High Storage
- Read/Write sequentially, have to find specific data by looking from start to end
Solid State Drives (SSD)
- Fast Read/Writes, Durable, High Capacity, Robust
- Expensive
- Most SSD use Flash Memory and allows Hybrid Drivers to store the OS/Programmes
Hard Disk Drives (HDD)
- High Capacity, Cheaper than SSD’s
- Moving Parts, Noisy
System Software
Maintains a computer’s hardware/programmes
Operating System (OS)
- Manage Hardware/Software
- Provides GUI, Multi-Tasking, Security and Account Managing
- Deals with File/Disk Management, defragments
Device Drivers
- Allows OS and Hardware to communicate
- OS may install Driver update automatically/ask for consent
Hardware
Physical Pre-Built Components on a Computer/Physical peripherals
Software
Applications/Programmes that run on the computer
Defragmentation Utility
Orders fragmented files (scattered files) to free space and improve read/write speeds, usually on HDD’s
Compression Utility
- (De)/Compresses files on computer, can be reverted
- Quicker to download/send and websites may have file size limits
Utility Software
Maintain/Configure a Computer