Topic 1.1: Systems Architecture

Question 1

Central Processing Unit (CPU):

Purpose

Answer 1

Executes instructions via the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

Question 2

Control Unit (CU):

Answer 2

Directs operations and controls the flow of data.

Question 3

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU):

Answer 3

Performs calculations and logical operations.

Question 4

Registers:

Answer 4

Small, fast memory locations for temporary storage (e.g., MAR, MDR, Program Counter, Accumulator).

Question 5

Von Neumann Architecture:

Answer 5

Instructions and data are stored in the same memory.

Question 6

MAR (Memory Address Register)

Answer 6

Holds the address of the memory location being accessed.

Question 7

MDR (Memory Data Register)

Answer 7

Holds the data being transferred to/from memory.

Question 8

Clock Speed:

Answer 8

The number of cycles the CPU executes per second (measured in Hz). Higher speed = faster CPU.

Question 9

Cores:

Answer 9

Multiple cores enable parallel processing; more cores = potential for better performance.

Question 10

Cache:

Answer 10

Small, high-speed memory storing frequently used data for quick access.