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GCSE Computer Science > Systems architecture, memory, storage > Flashcards

Systems architecture, memory, storage Flashcards

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1
Q

Explain the Fetch Decode Execute cycle

A

-Fetch an Instruction from main memory
-Decode the instruction
-Execute the instruction

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2
Q

What is cache memory

A

Cache memory is very fast memory used to temporarily hold data or instructions that are likely to be used again by the processor in the course of running a program

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3
Q

In Von Neumann architecture are the data and instructions stored in the same memory

A

Yes

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4
Q

What does the Control Unit do?

A

The CU coordinates all the activity within the CPU. It can:
-control the execution of instructions in the correct sequence
-decode instructions
-send and receive control signals to and from devices within the computer

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5
Q

What does the Arithmetic and Logic Unit to?

A

The ALU carries out the following functions:
-Logical Operations
-Binary shifts
-Arithmetic operations

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6
Q

Name 4 registers inside the CPU

A

-Memory Address Register
-Memory Data Register
-Program Counter
-Accumulator

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7
Q

What is a special purpose register

A

A register is a very fast memory location within the CPU, used within the CPU for the execution of instructions

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8
Q

What does the MAR stand for and do?

A

Memory address register, holds the address (location in memory) of the instruction or piece of data to be fetched or stored

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9
Q

What does the MDR stand for and do?

A

Memory data register, holds data or a program instruction temporarily when it is fetched from memory or is to be sent to memory

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10
Q

What does the PC stand for and do>

A

Program Counter; holds the memory address of the next instruction to be processed

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11
Q

What does the ACC stand for and do?

A

The accumulator is a special-purpose, memory location where the results of operations carried out in the ALU are temporarily stored

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12
Q

What are the 3 main factors affecting CPU performance?

A

-Clock speed
-Cache size
-Number of cores

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13
Q

What is the clock speed?

A

the number of instructions a single processor core can carry out per second

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14
Q

What is cache memory?

A

stores regularly used data for quick access.
-it is low capacity
-it is expensive

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15
Q

The _____ cache memory a computer has the ______ the performance

A

more, better

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16
Q

How does the number of cores affect speed. What is a core

A

Each core processes data independently, meaning more instructions can be carried out per second with more cores.

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17
Q

Which type of memory is most expensive?

A

Cache memory

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18
Q

What is an embedded system?

A

computer built into another device. e.g. washing machine, microwave

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19
Q

Name 3 advantages of embedded systems

A

-Easier to design
-Cheaper to produce
-More efficient at tasks

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20
Q

Name an off-line storage device that is read-only and cannot be written to

A

ROM

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21
Q

What type of memory is used as the computer’s main memory?

A

RAM

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22
Q

What is hardware?

A

physical parts of a computer

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23
Q

What is software?

A

programs that a computer system runs

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24
Q

Why is virtual memory used?

A

When there isn’t enough main memory to store the entirety of a program so some data is moved to a location in secondary storage.
-THis data is moved back to RAM when the CPU needs it.
-Data transfer is slower on secondary storage, so this slows the computer’s performance.

25
Q

Name some non-volatile storage forms

A

HDD, SDD, ROM

26
Q

Name a volatile storage form

A

RAM

27
Q

List the 4 features of ROM, and what it is

A

ROM (Read Only Memory) is the main permanent memory in a computer. It is:
>non-volatile
>read-only
>small amount of memory build into the motherboard
>Contains BIOS (Basic Input Output System)- instructions for the pc to boot up

28
Q

List 4 features of RAM, and what it is

A

RAM (Random Access Memory) is the main temporary memory in a computer. It is;
>Volatile
>Can be read and written to
>Programs and files are copied here from secondary storage while in use
>Slower than CPU cache but faster than secondary storage

29
Q

Define PRimary storage

A

memory that the CPU can read/write to quickly, e.g. RAM

30
Q

Define Volatile

A

Storage / memory where data is lost when power is removed.

31
Q

Define Non-Volatile

A

Storage/Memory where component retains data even when power is turned off

32
Q

Name 2 types of internal storage

A

-Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
-SDD (Solid State Drive)

33
Q

Name 3 characteristics of HDDs

A

-Moving Parts
-Store data magnetically on metal disks
-Can be noisy

34
Q

Name 3 characteristics of SDDs

A

-No moving parts
-Use flash memory for faster read/ write times
-Usually silent/ quiet

35
Q

Name 4 types of external storage

A

-Flash drives/ memory cards
-Optical disks
-Magnetic tape
-External HDDs & SDDs

36
Q

When are flash drives and memory cards used?

A

solid state storage used to expand the capacity of small devices

37
Q

Name 3 optical storage types

A

-CDs
-DVDs
-Blu-ray

38
Q

What is the definition of optical storage

A

Makes use of a laser to shine and reflect light to read the data stored

39
Q

What are 3 properties of optical storage

A

-Low capacity compared to other types of storage
-SLow to access data
-Thin, lightweight, portable

40
Q

Name 3 Solid state storage devices

A

-SSD
-Memory Sticks
-Flash memory cards

41
Q

Name 4 characteristics of solid state storage

A

-High storage capacity
-quick access to data
-no moving parts so high reliability
-no noise
-low power
-no need to defragment

42
Q

Define solid state storage

A

Use non-volatile random access memory to store data indefinitely

43
Q

Name 2 magnetic storage types

A

-Hard Disk Drives
-Tape

44
Q

Name 4 characteristics of magnetic storage

A

-High storage capacity
-QUick access to data
-Has a moving part which eventually fail
-hard disks perform better if they are defragmented

45
Q

Define magnetic storage

A

Makes use of a magnetisable coating. Magnetised dots are made on the surface of the material, these dots are created, read, and erased by very small electromagnets.

46
Q

What are the bumps and grooves on a DVD or CD called?

A

pits and lands

47
Q

I want to make a backup of 125 photos, which each take up 16MB of disk space. What is the minimum amount of secondary storage space that I need?

A

equation for required capacity:
RC = number of files x size of single file
substitute values.
RC = 125 x 16MB = 2000MB
MB –> GB
NUmber of MB/1000 = GB
convert to appropriate units:
2000MB/1000 = 2GB

48
Q

Describe the fetch stage

A

Fetch the next instruction from main memory(RAM)
-Bring back to CPU

49
Q

Describe the decode stage

A

-Inspect the instruction and work out what it is that needs doing

50
Q

Describe the execute stage

A

-Carry our the instruction
-Could include activities such as
-going back to main memory and fetching data
-performing a calculation
-storing information back into main memory

51
Q

What does the control unit do?

A

Controls the flow of data in and out of the CPU, manages the FDE cycles

52
Q

What happens at the Fetch stage?

A

-Memory address copied from PC to MAR
-Instruction copied from memory to MDR
-PC incremented to point to the next instruction

53
Q

What happens at the Execute stage?

A

-Decoded instruction carried out.
Example instructions:
-Load data from memory
-write data to memory
-do calaculation of logicoperation

54
Q

WHat happens at the Decode stage?

A

-Instruction in the MDR decoded by CU
-CU prepares for the next step, e.g. loading values into the MAR or MDR

55
Q

Does the FDE cycle ever end?

A

The fetch-execute cycle runs continuously while the computer is running

56
Q

What holds the address of the next instruction to be executed

A

MAR

57
Q

Data stored here is not erasable and usually contains instructions for booting the system, what am I?

A

ROM

58
Q

Arithmetic and Logical instructions are carried out here:

A

ALU

GCSE Computer Science (6 decks)

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