F451: Hardware - Processor Components

Question 1

Define Program Counter - PC

Answer 1

PC is a register that contains the address of the instruction being executed at the time

Question 2

Define Memory Address Register - MAR

Answer 2

MAR is a CPU register that either stores the memory address from which the data will be sent and stored.
MAR holds the memory location of data that needs to be accessed.

Question 3

Define Memory Data Register - MDR

Answer 3

MDR is used to temporarily store data read from or written to memory. All transfers from memory to the CPU go via the Memory Data Register

Question 4

Define Control Unit

Answer 4

The Control Unit manages the execution of instructions by using control signals to other parts of the computer. It also controls the fetch and execute cycles it also synchronises actions using an inbuilt clock.

Question 5

Define Memory Unit

Answer 5

Is a computer hardware component that handles all memory and caching operations associated with the processor.

Question 6

Define ALU

Answer 6

Carries out arithmetic and logical instructions. It acts as a conduit through which all inputs and outputs in a computer is done.

Question 7

Define Read Only Memory - ROM

Answer 7

ROM is “built-in” computer memory containing data that normally can only be read, not written to. ROM contains the programming that allows your computer to be “booted up” or regenerated each time you turn it on. Unlike a computer’s random access memory (RAM), the data in ROM is not lost when the computer power is turned off. The ROM is sustained by a small long-life battery in your computer.

Question 8

Define Random Access Memory - RAM

Answer 8

The primary working memory in a computer, used for the temporary storage of programs and data and in which the data can be accessed directly and modified