CPU Flashcards
What is a processor?
A computer system’s ‘brains’
What are instructions executed by/in?
Cores
Where are cores found?
In processors
Name some types of core
Dual core, Quad core, Octo ocre
What is cache?
A small amount of temporary memory on a processor chip, very fast!
What does cache hold?
Commonly used instructions
How would doubling clock speed effect performance?
Double instructions executed per second
How would quadrupling cores effect the performance?
Quadruple number of instructions executed per second
How would an increase in cache size effect performance?
Reduces number of memory to disk transfers, so speeds up instructions executed
What does CPU stand for?
Central Processing Unit
What is another name for the CPU?
The processor
What cycle does the CPU follow?
Fetch - Decode - Execute
What kind of instructions can the CPU carry out? (2 types)
Boolean Logic and Arthithmatic
Where are programs and instructions stored?
In the hard drive
Give examples of primary memories
RAM
Give examples of secondary memories
Hard drives, Pen drives, USB
How does word size effect performance?
Processers run on binary, so 32 bit is better than 16 bit
How does material effect performance?
A better quality of materials can make the machine faster and more reliable
What is RAM?
Random Access Memory
What is another term for RAM?
Immediate Access Storage
What is clock speed measured in?
Hertz or Gigahertz
What’s faster; RAM or Cache?
Cache
What is cheaper; RAM or Cache?
RAM
