Key Components of the CPU in Computer Science Flashcards
Purpose of the Program Counter (PC)
Holds address of next instruction to execute.
Purpose of the CPU
Processes data and instructions.
What does CPU stand for?
Central Processing Unit
True or False: The CPU is responsible for coordinating activities in a computer.
True
What are the main components of a CPU?
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), Control Unit (CU), and Registers
Fill in the blank: The _______ performs arithmetic and logical operations.
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
What is the function of the Control Unit (CU)?
To direct the operation of the processor and manage the execution of instructions.
True or False: Registers are used to store data temporarily during processing.
True
What is the purpose of the Program Counter (PC)?
To keep track of the address of the next instruction to be executed.
Multiple Choice: Which component is responsible for fetching instructions from memory?
Control Unit
What is the role of the Cache in a CPU?
To store frequently accessed data for quick retrieval.
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the fastest type of memory used by the CPU.
Cache
What does the term ‘clock speed’ refer to in a CPU?
The speed at which the CPU can execute instructions, measured in Hertz.
True or False: A higher clock speed means a faster CPU.
True
What is pipelining in CPU architecture?
A technique that allows multiple instructions to be processed simultaneously by overlapping their execution.
Multiple Choice: What is the main function of the ALU?
To perform arithmetic and logical operations.
What is the difference between RISC and CISC architectures?
RISC uses a small set of simple instructions, while CISC uses a larger set of complex instructions.
Fill in the blank: The _______ holds the data that is currently being processed by the CPU.
Registers
What does the term ‘throughput’ refer to in CPU performance?
The number of instructions that can be processed in a given amount of time.
True or False: The size of the registers affects the performance of the CPU.
True
What is the function of the Instruction Register (IR)?
To hold the current instruction being executed.
Multiple Choice: Which component coordinates the activities of the CPU?
Control Unit
What is the purpose of the data bus in a CPU?
To transfer data between the CPU and other components.
Fill in the blank: The _______ connects the CPU to the main memory.
Address bus
What does ‘fetch-decode-execute’ cycle refer to?
The process by which the CPU retrieves an instruction, decodes it, and then executes it.
True or False: The GPU is part of the CPU.
False
What is multi-core processing?
The use of multiple CPU cores to execute instructions simultaneously.
Multiple Choice: Which component is primarily responsible for managing the flow of data within the CPU?
Control Unit
What is the significance of thermal management in a CPU?
To prevent overheating and ensure stable operation.
