Internal Hardware Flashcards
(21 cards)
What is the role of the processor in a computer system?
Executes program instructions to run applications.
What types of memory are included in a computer’s main memory?
RAM (random access memory) and ROM (read-only memory). Cache
Why is main memory faster than secondary storage?
It helps the processor execute instructions quickly. accessed directly by processor
What is a bus in a computer system?
A series of parallel wires that connects internal components, allowing signals to be passed between them.
What is the width of a bus?
The number of parallel wires in a bus, directly related to the number of bits transferred simultaneously.
What are the three main types of buses in a computer?
- Address bus
- Data bus
- Control bus
What does the address bus transport?
Memory addresses specifying where data is sent or retrieved from.
How does increasing the width of the address bus affect addressable memory?
It increases the range of addresses that can be specified.
What is an addressable memory location?
A portion of memory that can be accessed by its address.
What does the data bus send?
Data and instructions to and from different components of the computer system.
What is the function of the control bus?
Carries control signals that regulate the operation of the computer system.
What do I/O controllers do?
Control communication of data between the processor and external hardware devices.
What is the main difference between Harvard and von Neumann architectures?
Harvard uses separate memory for instructions and data; von Neumann uses the same memory.
What is a key advantage of Harvard architecture?
It allows for different characteristics in instruction and data memory.
In what type of systems is Harvard architecture extensively used?
Embedded systems such as digital signal processing.
What is a disadvantage of von Neumann architecture?
It often performs worse due to shared buses for fetching instructions and data.
Where is von Neumann architecture typically used?
In everyday general-purpose computer systems like laptops and smartphones.
Fill in the blank: A computer’s _______ executes program instructions.
[processor]
Fill in the blank: The _______ is used to transport memory addresses.
[address bus]
True or False: The data bus is responsible for sending control signals.
False
True or False: In Harvard architecture, instructions and data share the same memory.
False
