System Architecture Flashcards
Explain the purpose of the CPU?
processes data and instructions stored in memory, by repeating the FE cycle.
What does the CU do?
Send signals to manage the FE cycle and coordinates the flow of data though the CPU.
Define a register
A section of high-speed memory within the CPU that stores data to be processed,
What is the function of the ALU?
Performs calculations and logic operations.
Explain the Von Neumann architecture.
Program instructions and data are both stored in the same memory that transfers data between two components
Describe what happens in Fetch during the FE.
The address of the instruction is fetched(pc) and placed into the MAR from memory, and transferred to the MDR.
Describe what happens in Decode during the FE cycle
The instruction is decoded meaning it’s read and understood
Describe what happens in Execute during the FE cycle
The instruction is executed by following and acting on the data so that the cpu can repeat the cycle. And the pc is incremented.
What is the function of the PC?
Points to the address of the next instruction to be run
What is the function of the MAR?
Stores the address of the fetched instruction. And holds the address in memory where the data is going to be transferred to.
What is the function of the MDR?
Holds the data of the instruction to be processed.
What is the function of the accumulator?
Stores the results of boolean calculations and processes.
What is a hardware
The physical components that make up a computer system e.g motherboard
What is a software
The programs and applications that a computer system runs e.g OS
What is the function of cache inside the CPU
Cache is very fast memory in the CPU that stores frequently used data. It’s slower then registers but faster then RAM.
When data is requested by the CPU it checks the cache first if data is not there it will fetch it from RAM.
Cache have a very low capacity and are expensive compared to RAM and secondary storage.
