CPUs

Question 1

Clock Speed

Answer 1

Max # of cycles a CPU can handle in a given period

Question 2

System Crystal

Answer 2

Determines speed at which CPU can operate

Question 3

CPU and RAM

Answer 3

CPU uses RAM as a “spreadsheet” to store and retrieve code

Question 4

Memory Controller Chip (MCC)

Answer 4

Retrieves data from RAM to put on EDB for CPU to read

Question 5

Address Bus

Answer 5

CPU communicates to MCC through this

Question 6

CPU Development Processes

Answer 6

Developer - Industry Standard Architecture (ISA)
Developer - Chip Floorplan, Physical Stuff
Fabrication Company - Creates

Question 7

3 Major CPU Companies

Answer 7

Intel (x86-64 architecture)
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) - Fabless
Arm Ltd - ARM (Advanced RISC Machine) CPUs, license to other companies

Question 8

x86-64 architecture

Answer 8

Windows, many Linux distros, some macOS, some Chrome OS

Question 9

ARM

Answer 9

Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, every mobile device run on ARM. Most used in the world.

Question 10

Throttling

Answer 10

Saving energy by making CPU run more slowly when there is less demand

Question 11

Thermal Throttling

Answer 11

Done because of excess heat

Question 12

Clock Multiplier

Answer 12

Speeds up the computing process to hit the CPU max speed, or lowers it in times of less demand

Question 13

64-Bit Processing

Answer 13

Supports higher levels of RAM (over 4gb)

Question 14

x86

Answer 14

Old processors, 32-bit systems

Question 15

x64

Answer 15

64-bit systems, newer and faster

Question 16

x86-x64 processors

Answer 16

Can run both types of code, these are the most modern processors

Question 17

Virtualization Support

Answer 17

Run more than one OS at a time, used to have to work through software but can now work directly thru CPU

Question 18

Parallel Execution

Answer 18

Able to execute multiple commands at the same time in parallel

Question 19

Pipelining

Answer 19

Fetch
Decode
Execute
Write

Current CPUS have multiple pipelines

Question 20

Cache

Answer 20

Static RAM (SRAM) used to reduce wait states (CPU faster than RAM)

Question 21

Multithreading

Answer 21

Multiple parallel threads running at the same time, basically 2 CPUs but does not double processing power

OS and apps must be made to take advantage

Question 22

L1, L2, L3

Answer 22

L1
cache will be the smallest and fastest cache; L2 will be bigger and slower
than L1; and L3 will be the biggest and slowest cache.

Question 23

Multicore Processing

Answer 23

Multiple pipelines but share caches and RAM

Operates independently from OS, but requires optimization

Question 24

Integrated Memory Controller

Answer 24

Optimizes information flow in and out of CPU

Question 25

Integrated Graphics Processing Unit

Answer 25

Integrated Graphics, enhances performance while reducing energy use, size and cost

Question 26

Security

Answer 26

NX bit technology, CPU protects certain sections of memory, protecting essential OS files

Question 27

Selecting a CPU

Answer 27

Ensure compatibility
-Support AMD or Intel?
-What CPU socket?

Question 28

CPU Sockets

Answer 28

Intel - LGA 2066, 1200, 1700
AMD - AM4, AM5, TR4

Question 29

CPU Installation Points

Answer 29

Take care with pins and socket
Is the power supply enough
Adequate cooling
Stock or overclock

Question 30

LGA

Answer 30

Land Grid Array - CPU socket for Intel
Has pins

Question 31

PGA

Answer 31

Pin Grid Array - CPU socket for AMD
Has holes

Question 32

Passive v Active Cooling

Answer 32

Passive: Heat sink alone
Active: Heat sink with fan

Question 33

CPU Overheating, Why?

Answer 33

1. too much thermal paste
2. not enough thermal paste
3. failure to connect fan power to mb

impediments to fan

lack of ventilation

Question 34

CPU Catastrophic Failure

Answer 34

Proprietary crash screens (BSOD, mac pinwheel)

Magic smoke

Question 35

Register

Answer 35

Store internal commands and data