Computer Hardware Flashcards
What is the von Neumann architecture?
The modern standard layout for a computer system. It is not the only possible layout, but the vast majority of modern computers use it.
What does CPU stand for?
Central Processing Unit.
What are the two units in a CPU?
The ALU - Arithmetic & logic unit - Carries out all of the calculations and operations.
The CU - Control unit - Controls the flow of data through the CPU.
What is the Fetch Execute cycle?
The sequence the CPU goes through for every operation. Fetch - Decode - Execute.
The CPU contains a boot loader. What is it?
A ROM that contains the sequence a computer has to go through in order to boot up. When it is complete, the OS and takes over.
What is clock speed? What is it measured in?
The speed at which the computer executes the Fetch execute cycle. It is measured in hertz (cycles per second), however, we tend to use Gigahertz due to the immense speed of modern computers (Billions of cycles per second).
What is overclocking?
Speeding up the computers clock to faster than it was designed for. However, this can cause technical issues.
What is the difference between main and cache memory?
Main memory is not fast enough to keep up with the clock-speed of a CPU, so a small, fast cache memory serves as a temporary store for current calculations.
How do the cache and main memory interact?
The CPU sends all data requests to the cache. If data is there, it sends it quickly to the CPU. If it is not, the data is loaded from the main memory into the cache, then into the CPU. (This takes longer, but if the data is needed again it can be taken straight from the cache)
What is a multi-core processor?
A Processor which has multiple CPU’s working together simultaneously (Although they all still abide by the clock)
What are the two main types of secondary memory?
Magnetic disk and solid state/flash.
What are the 6 things you need to take into account when selecting secondary storage?
Capacity, speed, portability, expense, durability and reliability.
Dis/advantages of Solid state over magnetic?
Much faster, portable, uses less power, but very expensive.
What is secondary storage?
The main storage in a computer that stores all of the software and programs, even when a computer is switched off.
