System Architecture Flashcards
Von Neumann Architecture
Instructions and data are held in memory, accessed by the processor
ALU
Arithmetic Logic Unit,
evaluates arithmetic and logical expressions
Control Unit
Governs the interface with I/O devices, and when instructions are read or written
System Clock
Beats a constant pulse that regulates all read, write and execute functions.
Bus
Physically connects the processor, memory and I/O devices, through which data and instructions are transferred
What is the constant cycle a CPU goes through
fetch-decode-execute cycle
Fetching
Takes instructions from the memory to processor.
Decoding
Decoding the instruction on the processor
Executing
Executes instruction by calculating with the ALU
3 ways to improve processor performance
Increase Clock Speed
Increase Core Number
Increase Cache memory
Increase Clock speed purpose
More instructions fetched per second.
Increase core number purpose
more instructions to be fetched and executed simultaneously.
Increase Cache memory
Cache contains expected instructions so it can preload more instructions, data, results. Reducing time.
