CS401A's Midterms: Comp. Sys. Architect Module 04

Question 1

holds instructions (code) and data.

Answer 1

A memory

Question 2

It plays an important part of a computer performance.

Answer 2

A memory

Question 3

Memory

is a type of memory with small capacity.

Answer 3

Register

Question 4

Memory

It can be described as a one-dimensional matrix of cells used to store and retrieve data.

Answer 4

Register

Question 5

Memory

There are two types of memory used in a computer:

Answer 5

• Primary
• Secondary

(Semiconductors — RAM & ROM)
(HDD, SDD, Flash, Tape, Disk & Optical Drives, etc.)

Question 6

Memory

Types of semiconductor memory:

Answer 6

• Volatile memory
• Nonvolatile memory

Question 7

Memory

○ It needs constant power to retain data. Its contents are lost when power is removed from it.

○ Example: Random Access Memory and Cache Memory

Answer 7

• Volatile memory

Question 8

Memory

○ It keeps its contents even without power. It can retrieve stored information even after having been power cycled.

○ Example: Read-Only Memory and Flash Memory

Answer 8

• Nonvolatile memory

Question 9

Memory

This is a volatile type of memory.
because any storage location can be accessed directly.

Answer 9

It is called “Random Access” Memory (RAM)

Question 10

Memory

• The data bus allows the passage of data in or out of the

Answer 10

RAM (Random Access Memory).

Question 11

Memory

• The address bus is used to select a memory location.

Answer 11

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Question 12

Memory

• The read signal activates when reading data from

Answer 12

RAM (Random Access Memory).

Question 13

Memory

• The write line activates when writing to the

Answer 13

RAM (Random Access Memory).

Question 14

Memory

• RAM Operations:

Answer 14

Read, Write, and Chip Select.

Question 15

Memory

Types of RAM

Answer 15

• Static RAM (SRAM)
• Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

Question 16

Memory

is almost 20 times faster and is much more expensive than DRAM.

Answer 16

• Static RAM (SRAM)

Question 17

Memory

is a one-bit static RAM.

Answer 17

D Flip Flop

Question 18

* Static RAM (SRAM)

○ Cache

Answer 18

(L1, L2, L3)

Question 19

Memory

uses fewer components to make one (1) bit; therefore, it can design
integrated circuit (IC) with a large capacity of 4 GB per IC.

Answer 19

• Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

Question 20

Memory

— It allows faster access to data in the same row or page.

Answer 20

○ Fast Page Mode RAM (FPMRAM)

Question 21

Memory

works by eliminating the need for a row address if data is located in the row previously accessed.

Answer 21

Page-mode memory
○ Fast Page Mode RAM (FPMRAM)

Question 22

Memory

— It transfers blocks of data to or from the memory.

Answer 22

○ Extended Data Out (EDORAM)

Question 23

Memory

— This technology uses DRAM and adds a special interface for synchronization.

Answer 23

○ Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)

Question 24

Memory

It can run at much higher clock speeds than DRAM.

Answer 24

○ Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)

Question 25

# **Memory** — This was developed by Rambus Corporation.

Answer 25

○ *Rambus DRAM (RDRAM)*

Question 26

# **Memory** — It uses multiple DRAM banks with a new interface that enables DRAM banks to transfer multiple words and transfer data at the rising edge and the falling edge of a clock.

Answer 26

○ *Rambus DRAM (RDRAM)*

Question 27

# **Memory** — It is a type of SDRAM that transfers data for both rising edge and falling edge of the clock.

Answer 27

○ *Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM)*

Question 28

# **Memory** It can move data twice as fast than SDRM; therefore, memory can run at the ½ clock rate.

Answer 28

○ *Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM)*

Question 29

# **Memory** *Types of RAM Packaging*

Answer 29

* **Single In-line Memory Module (SIMM)** * **Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM)** * **Rambus In-line Memory Module (RIMM)**

Question 30

# **Memory** is a small circuit board where one (1) side of the board holds several chips.

Answer 30

* **Single In-line Memory Module (SIMM)**

Question 31

# **Memory** is a circuit board, in which both sides of the board hold several memory chips but has a 64 bit data bus

Answer 31

* **Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM)**

Question 32

# **Memory** — It is a small version of DIMM used commonly in notebook computer.

Answer 32

○ **SO-DIMMM (Small Outline)**

Question 33

# **Memory** — It is a competing memory used on laptops and mostly supports 144 and 172 pins.

Answer 33

○ **Micro-DIMM**

Question 34

# **Memory** is similar to a DIMM package but used different pin settings in which it contains 184 or 232 pins.

Answer 34

* **Rambus In-line Memory Module (RIMM)**

Question 35

# **Memory** From the term, information can be "read" only from this type of memory.

Answer 35

**Read-Only Memory**

Question 36

# **Memory** It holds information permanently even while there is no power It is a nonvolatile type of memory.

Answer 36

**Read-Only Memory** to the ROM.

Question 37

# **Memory** *Types of ROM*

Answer 37

* **Programmable ROM (PROM)** * **Erasable PROM (EPROM)** * **Electrically EPROM (EEPROM)**

Question 38

# **Memory** is a memory chip where data can be written only once.

Answer 38

* **Programmable ROM (PROM)**

Question 39

# **Memory** can be erased with ultraviolet light and reprogrammed with a device called an

Answer 39

* **Erasable PROM (EPROM)** EPROM programmer.

Question 40

# **Memory** Flash ROM is a type of

Answer 40

EEPROM **(Electrically EPROM)**.

Question 41

# **Memory** can be erased by applying specific voltage to one of its pins and can be reprogrammed with an ## Footnote *Example:* NAND Flash Memory and BIOS

Answer 41

* **Electrically EPROM (EEPROM)** EPROM programmer.

Question 42

# **Memory** — It is a nonvolatile memory that has a wide range of applications ## Footnote applications such as flash drive, solid-state drive, memory card, and embedded system.

Answer 42

○ **Flash Memory**

Question 43

# **Memory** It is a type of EEPROM that allows multiple memory location to be written or erased on one (1) operation.

Answer 43

○ **Flash Memory**

Question 44

# **Memory** There are two (2) types of technology used for flash memory:

Answer 44

NAND and NOR flash memories.

Question 45

# **Memory** has smaller access time than NOR flash memory. Most flash memories use

Answer 45

NAND flash memory NAND technology.

Question 46

# **Memory** It is the delay in transmission of data through the circuites of a computer's microprocessor.

Answer 46

**What is computer bottlenecking?**

Question 47

# **Memory** The delay typically occors when a system's bandwidth cannot support the amount of information being relayed at the speed it is being processed.

Answer 47

**What is computer bottlenecking?**

Question 48

# **Memory** A partition is a defined area in memory that stores a program to be executed.

Answer 48

**Memory Partitioning**

Question 49

# **Memory** is a defined area in memory that stores a program to be executed.

Answer 49

A partition

Question 50

# **Memory** defines the processes that could execute in the specific partition.

Answer 50

The partition size

Question 51

# **Memory** determines the number of processes that could run concurrently.

Answer 51

The number of partition defined

Question 52

# **Memory** — The main memory is divided into several static partitions at system generation time.

Answer 52

* **Fixed Partitioning**

Question 53

# **Memory** A process may be loaded into a partition of equal or greater size. ## Footnote ○ Possibilities: *Equal size partitioning and unequal size partitioning*

Answer 53

* **Fixed Partitioning**

Question 54

# **Memory** — The partitiones are of variable length and number. ## Footnote ○ Possibilities: *Small holes in memory and external fragmentation*

Answer 54

* **Dynamic Partitioning**

Question 55

# **Memory** When a process is brought into main memory, it is allocated exactly as much memory as it requires and no more.

Answer 55

* **Dynamic Partitioning**

Question 56

# **Memory** It is used for storing application data and instructinos that are currently not needed to be process by the CPU.

Answer 56

**Virtual Memory**

Question 57

# **Memory** It also enables a system to run application larger than main memory. The hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD) is extended as part of the memory and includes allocations and addresses.

Answer 57

**Virtual Memory**

Question 58

# **Memory** It was the name chosen to represent the level of the memory hierarchy between the processor and main memory.

Answer 58

**Caching**

Question 59

# **Memory** also refers to any storage managed to take advantage of locality of reference.

Answer 59

The term "caching"

Question 60

# **Memory** Its main contribution is in improving the execution speed. Its properties include reduction of latency, more capacity, and cache availability.

Answer 60

**Caching**

Question 61

# **Memory** *Types of Cache Memory*

Answer 61

* L1 Cache (Primary Cache) * L2 Cache (External Cache) * L3 Cache (Shared Cache)

Question 62

# **Memory** — This cache level is as fast as the processor because it is embedded in the processor.

Answer 62

* L1 Cache (Primary Cache)

Question 63

# **Memory** — This cache level is used to catch recent data access from the processor not caught by Level 1.

Answer 63

* L2 Cache (External Cache)

Question 64

# **Memory** — This cache catches the recent data all across CPU cores; this is usually slower than L1 and L2.

Answer 64

* L3 Cache (Shared Cache)

Question 65

# **Memory** It is the tendency of a processor to access the same set of memory locations repetitively over a short time.

Answer 65

**Locality of Reference**

Question 66

# **Memory** — A resource that is referenced at one (1) point in time is referenced again soon after.

Answer 66

* *Temporal Locality*

Question 67

# **Memory** — The likelihood of referencing a storage location is greater if a storage location near it has been recently referenced.

Answer 67

* *Spatial Locality*

Question 68

# **Memory** Accessing a cache is based on the following predictions:

Answer 68

* *Cache Hit* * *Cache Miss*

Question 69

# **Memory** — looking for the same piece of data again.

Answer 69

* *Cache Hit*

Question 70

# **Memory** — data that isn't in the cache; it causes latency and delay.

Answer 70

* *Cache Miss*