Computer Systems

Question 1

What is the motherboard?

Answer 1

The circuit board everything in a computer is connected to or mounted to

Question 2

What is the CPU?

Answer 2

Known as the “brain” of the computer. Executes instructions from memory. Processes data and performs computations to drive the computer

Question 3

How many cores do common laptop CPUs have?

Answer 3

4-8 CPU cores

Question 4

What is the purpose of a GPU?

Answer 4

Executes instructions specifically for graphics calculations. Essential for tasks like video editing and rendering

Question 5

What is RAM and its purpose?

Answer 5

Random Access Memory (RAM): Very fast, volatile memory. Stores data and instructions currently in use. Average laptop has 4GB-8GB of RAM

Question 6

What is secondary storage?

Answer 6

Non-volatile storage for data needed after the computer is powered off. Common types include Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) and Solid State Drives (SSDs)

Question 7

How does a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) work?

Answer 7

Contains multiple spinning magnetic disks

Question 8

What is the ALU, and what does it do?

Answer 8

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Performs arithmetic calculations (e.g., addition, subtraction). Executes logical operations (e.g., AND, OR). Handles shift operations (e.g., binary shifting)

Question 9

What is the Control Unit (CU) and its functions? (MED CP)

Answer 9

Coordinates all activities within the CPU. Decodes instructions. Ensures instructions are executed in the correct order. Controls processor timing using the system clock. Manages control signals with hardware

Question 10

What is the function of the system clock?

Answer 10

It controls the speed of calculations. Clock frequency is the number of clock cycles per second

Question 11

What are registers, and why are they important?

Answer 11

Fastest memory within the CPU. Few in number, often only 64 total. Limited storage capacity. They store the data the CPU is currently accessing.

Question 12

What do buses do?

Answer 12

They are the links between different parts of the CPU

Question 13

What are the types of buses in a CPU?

Answer 13

Address Bus: Sends memory addresses. Control Bus: Sends/receives control instructions. Data Bus: Sends/receives data

Question 14

What is cache memory, and how is it structured?

Answer 14

Very fast memory close to the CPU. Organized in multiple layers (typically 3), each increasing in size. Layer 3 is shared among all CPU cores

Question 15

What factors affect CPU performance?

Answer 15

Clock Speed: Faster clock speed = more operations per second. Limited by temperature. Cache Size: Larger cache means less frequent access to main memory, improving efficiency. Limited by space. Number of Cores: A program must be designed to utilize multiple cores efficiently

Question 16

Define volatile and non-volatile memory.

Answer 16

Volatile Memory: Loses data when power is turned off. Non-volatile Memory: Retains data even after power is turned off

Question 17

What is main memory?

Answer 17

Memory directly accessible by the CPU

Question 18

What is RAM, and how does it function?

Answer 18

Random Access Memory (RAM): Holds data currently in use and programs being executed. Larger capacity (4-64GB). Volatile memory

Question 19

What is ROM, and how does it function?

Answer 19

Read-Only Memory (ROM): Cannot be edited. Stores the start-up program for the computer. (NOT THE OS). Very small capacity (4-16MB). Non-volatile memory

Question 20

What are the advantages and disadvantages of HDDs?

Answer 20

Advantages: Cheaper per GB. Large capacity (up to 20TB). Disadvantages: Slower than SSDs. Sensitive to shaking

Question 21

What are the advantages and disadvantages of SSDs?

Answer 21

Advantages: Faster (8000MB/s+). No moving parts. Lighter and smaller. Disadvantages: Smaller capacity (up to 8TB). More expensive per byte. Limited number of read/writes

Question 22

What is software?

Answer 22

Programs, code, or instructions that control the operation of hardware

Question 23

What is System Software?

Answer 23

Software that manages the computer hardware, application software and the interactions between them E.g. operating systems, utilities, programming language translators

Question 24

What is an operating system?

Answer 24

A collection of software that manages the interactions between computer resources and application software

Question 25

What are the purposes of an operating system?

Answer 25

Memory management: Allocates memory blocks to programs. Application management: Prevents interference between programs. Frees memory when programs close. Processor management: Allows multiple programs to run. Allocates fair CPU time using a scheduler. Input/Output devices: Handles interaction between computer and input and output devices. Security: Blocks unauthorised access to files. Automatically keeps up to date to avoid new security threats

Question 26

What is utility software, and what are its types?

Answer 26

Software that is not essential, but makes managing tasks of the operating system easier. Types include Encryption software, Disk defragmentation software, Compression software, Automatic update software

Question 27

What is an embedded system?

Answer 27

A combination of software and hardware designed for specific tasks. Key features: Performs few tasks. Permanently installed firmware. Cannot be easily upgraded

Question 28

Explain the Fetch-Execute cycle.

Answer 28

The CPU continually reads instructions stored in main memory and executes them as required: fetch: the next instruction is fetched to the CPU from main memory. decode: the instruction is decoded to work out what it is. execute: the instruction is executed (carried out). This may include reading/writing from/to main memory.

Question 29

What is application software?

Answer 29

Application software is any software that enables the user to perform a task. E.g. web browsers, office programs, games