Topic 1: Systems Architecture Flashcards
What actions occur in each stage of the fetch-execute cycle
1.FETCH: The CPU fetches the instructions one at a time from the main memory into the registers. One register is the program counter (pc). The pc holds the memory address of the next instruction to be fetched from main memory.
2.DECODE: The CPU decodes the instruction.
3.EXECUTE: The CPU executes the instruction.
Repeat until there are no more instructions.
What is the purpose of the ALU (Arithmetic logic unit)
The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) is a component of the computer central processing unit that performs both bitwise and mathematical operations on binary numbers. It is used for carrying out all calculations in the computer system
What is the purpose of the CU (Control unit)
The purpose of the CU (control unit) is to direct the operation of the processor and other units of a computer. It uses a binary decoder to convert coded instructions into control and timing signals that handle all input and output flow, fetch code for instructions.
What is the role of the registers
Registers are small amounts of high-speed memory contained within the CPU. They store the next address of the next instruction to be executed, the current instruction being decoded and the result of calculations
What is the purpose of cache
Cache is a small amount of high-speed random access memory (RAM) built directly within the processor. It is used to temporarily hold information before it is used in the fetch-execute cycle
What is the purpose of the MAR (Memory address register)
The Memory Address Register (MAR) is a CPU register that stores the memory address from which data will be fetched to the CPU registers, or the address to which data will be sent and stored via system bus.
What is the purpose of the MDR (Memory data register)
Memory Data Register (MDR) is a register used for holding information that is in the process of being transferred from the memory to the central processor. It holds data that is being transferred to or from memory.
What is the purpose of the program counter
The program counter is a CPU register that keeps track of the current instruction’s address. The program counter contains the memory location of the next instruction to be executed from memory.
What is the purpose of the Accumulator
An accumulator acts as a temporary storage location which holds an intermediate value in mathematical and logical calculations.
What is clock speed?
the operating speed of a computer or its microprocessor, expressed in cycles per second (megahertz)
What is cache size?
Cache size refers to how much cache is in a CPU
What is meant by the number of cores
The number of cores refers to how many processing units are embedded within a CPU. A processing unit within a CPU is known as a core. Each core is capable of fetching, decoding and executing its own instructions.
How does the clock speed affect the CPU performance
A higher clock speed increases the frequency. The higher the frequency, the more instructions can be performed in any given moment of time.
How does the cache size affect the CPU performance
The bigger its cache, the less time a processor has to wait for instructions to be fetched
How does the number of cores affect the CPU performance
The more cores a CPU has, the greater the number of instructions it can process in a given space of time. This provides vastly superior processing power.
