Components of the Computer System Flashcards
What is Hardware?
Hardware is physical components of the computer system, such as the CPU or Motherboard
What is Software?
Digital components of the computer system, such as applications or programs.
What are embedded systems?
Systems dedicated to a specific task.
In what devices are embedded systems located?
Devices dedicated to a single task, eg. microwaves, washing machines, dishwashers, etc.
What is the Motherboard?
The main circuit board that all hardware is attached to.
What piece of hardware processes all information?
The CPU
What does CPU stand for?
Central Processing Unit
What is the processing power of the CPU based on?
Cache, Cores and Clock Speed
What is the name of the architecture of the CPU?
Von Neumann
What are the three main parts of the CPU?
Control Unit (CU), Cache, Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
What process does the Control Unit perform?
Fetch, Decode, Execute Cycle
What does the ALU do?
Performs Arithmetic and Logic Operations
What is the purpose of the cache?
To store regularly used data to be able to access it faster.
In comparison to RAM and Secondary Storage, how much storage does the Cache have?
A very low amount.
What register holds addresses soon to be used by the CPU?
Memory Address Register (MAR)
Which register holds the actual data or instruction?
Memory Data Register (MDR)
Which register stores the results of calculations from the ALU?
Accumulator (ACC)
Which register holds the address of instructions each cycle?
Program Counter (PC)
What happens when the CPU fetches an instruction?
The memory address is copied from the PC to the MAR.
The instruction in the MAR is copied to the MDR.
Increase the PC to the next address for the next cycle.
What happens when the CPU decodes an instruction?
The CU decodes the instruction in the MDR.
The CU prepares for the next step eg. loading values into the MAR or MDR.
What happens when the CPU executes an instruction?
The instruction is performed.
What does RAM stand for?
Random Access Memory
What is RAM?
Main Volatile Storage
What does ‘Volatile’ mean?
When a program is not in use, the data will lost.
What is Virtual Storage?
Secondary Volatile Storage
What is the purpose of Virtual Storage?
To store data when the RAM is full.
What is a negative to using Virtual Storage?
It can make the computer slow to respond
What does ROM stand for?
Read-Only Memory
What is ROM?
A non-volatile memory that can only be read from. It contains instructions for boot up, called BIOS.
What does BIOS stand for?
Basic Input Output System
What is Clock Speed?
The number of instructions a single processor core can perform per second.
What is Clock Speed measured in?
Hertz (Hz)
How much is a Gigahertz?
1 billion instructions per second
