section one: components of a computer system and the cpu p 1-3 Flashcards
What is the purpose of a computer?
The purpose of a computer is to take data, process it, then output it.
Define hardware
Hardware is the PHYSICAL pieces which make up a computer system
Define software
Software is the PROGRAMS or APPLICATIONS that runs a computer system
Give three examples Hardware
CPU
motherboard
monitor
Give three examples software
an operating system
a word processor
video game
What is an embedded system?
Embedded systems are computers built into other devices
Give three examples of an embedded system
dishwasher
microwaves
tvs
why is an embedded system a better choice then a general purpose computer?
An embedded system is a better choice as they focus on one task this means that they are also cheaper to produce.
Name 9 internal components you might find in a desktop
Power supply , case cooling fan
Cpu heat sink and cooling fan
CPU , graphics card , optical drive
RAM sticks , Motherboard , hard disk drive
Define power supply
Supplies power to motherboard, optical and hard drives, and other hardware.
Define case cooling fan
Extracts hot air from the computer case
Define CPU heat sink and cooling fan
Keeps the CPU at a steady temperature
Define CPU
The most important component, as it does all the processing.
Define Optical drive
For read/ write of optical discs
Define RAM sticks
where the computer memory is stored
Define Motherboard
The main circuit board in the computer where the hardware is connected.
Define Hard disk drive
Internal secondary storage
Define Graphics card
A piece of hardware containing the graphics processing unit (gpu)
What does CPU stand for?
Central processing unit
Name the three parts of the CPU
cache
the control unit
the arithmetic logic unit
Define cache
the cache is very fast memory in the CPU.
Define CU
the control unit is in overall control of the CPU. its main job is to manage the fetching, decoding, and execution of program instructions.
Define ALU
the alu does all the main calculations
Name and define the four main registers
of the CPU
program counter - holds the memory address of the instruction for each cycle
accumulator - stores intermediate results of calculations in the alu
memory address register - holds any memory address about to be used by the CPU
memory data register - holds the actual data or instructions
What is the Von Neumann’s architecture?
describes a system where the CPU runs programmes stored in memory. the programs consist of instructions and data which are stored in memory addresses
What three instructions are contained in the fetch-execute cycle?
Fetch instruction
execute instruction
decode instruction
What is the fetch-execute cycle
The fetch-execute cycle describes how a cpu carry’s out instructions.
define fetch instruction
1)copy memory address from the program counter to the mar
2)copy the instruction stored in the mar address to the mdr
3)increment the program counter to point to the address of the next instruction, ready for the next cycle
define execute instruction
the instruction is performed.
define decode instruction
the instruction in the mdr is decoded by the cu
