Computer Architecture

Question 1

What is a computer?

Answer 1

A machine that accepts and processes data providing the results to the user

Question 2

Characteristics that make computers useful problem solvers

Answer 2

Speed
Easy storage and retrieval
Consistency
Accuracy
Ability to communicate with other systems via telecommunications
Automatic operation

Question 3

Computer Hardware

Answer 3

all physical components of computer

Question 4

Types of RAM

Answer 4

DRAM - Static Ram - retains a contents as long as electric power is applied to chip if not contents will be lost

DRAM - Dynamic Ram - short data lifetime usually 4m/s even with constant power/

Question 5

Types of ROM

Answer 5

Masked ROM- convential hardwired ROM ,
PROM - Programmable ROM - purchased unprogrammed and data is written using a device programmer applying a electric charges
EPROM - Erasable and Programmable ROM - same as PROM but can be reprogrammed using a device once exposed to strong UV light

Question 6

Hybrid Memory

Answer 6

EEPROM- The erase operation is done electrically. Higher cost and write cycles are longer than RAM so not good for memory

Flaqsh - High density, low cost, non-volatilE

NVRAM - Non-volatile RAM - SRAM with a battery backup. Common in embedded systems ,expensive

Question 7

Speed

Answer 7

System RAM is controlled by bus width and bus speed. Bus width is the number of bits that can be sent each second. e.g 100Mhz 32 bit bus = 32/5 = 4 bytes of data to the CPU 100 times per second

Question 8

Burst Mode

Answer 8

Only first bit is subject to full effect of latency.First number tells number of clock cycles to begin a read, the rest tell how many cycles to reach each consecutive bit/word line. e.g 5-1-1-1

Question 9

Pipelining

Answer 9

Organizes data retrival into a sort of assembly line process.

Question 10

Cache

Answer 10

Makes data most used by CPU instantly available. Level 1 - built onto CPU Level 2 0 On memory regulated by a L2 controller

Question 11

Registers

Answer 11

Memory cells built onto the CPU that contain specific data needed by CPU

Question 12

Size

Answer 12

Memory is measured in terms of bits and bytes. A bit or Binary Digit can be a 1 or 0. A collection of 8 bits is a byte.

Question 13

Word Size

Answer 13

Amount of data a processor internal register can hold and process at one time. 32bits or 64 bits

Question 14

Volatility

Answer 14

Volatile - requires constant power or else loses data