Computer Architecture Basics

Computer Architecture

Definition: Computer Architecture refers to the design and organization of a computer's internal components, including the way they interact to perform tasks.

Key Components:

• Central Processing Unit (CPU): Executes instructions and performs calculations
• Memory (RAM): Temporary storage for data and program instructions
• Input/Output (I/O) Devices: Allow users to interact with the computer
• Bus: A communication pathway for data transfer between components

CPU Architecture:

• Von Neumann Architecture: Most common architecture, uses a single bus for data and instructions
• Harvard Architecture: Separate buses for data and instructions, faster performance
• RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing): Simplified instruction set, improved performance and power efficiency
• CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing): More complex instructions, better code density

Memory Hierarchy:

• Main Memory (RAM): Volatile, temporary storage
• Cache Memory: Small, fast memory for frequently accessed data
• Virtual Memory: Combination of RAM and disk storage for efficient memory use

Performance Metrics:

• Clock Speed (GHz): Measures CPU processing speed
• Instructions Per Clock (IPC): Measures CPU efficiency
• ** MIPS (Millions of Instructions Per Second)**: Measures CPU performance

Parallelism:

• Multithreading: Multiple threads share CPU resources
• Multiprocessing: Multiple CPUs or cores for improved performance
• Distributed Computing: Multiple computers work together on a task

Computer Architecture

• Refers to the design and organization of a computer's internal components, including the way they interact to perform tasks.

Key Components

• The Central Processing Unit (CPU) executes instructions and performs calculations.
• Memory (RAM) provides temporary storage for data and program instructions.
• Input/Output (I/O) Devices allow users to interact with the computer.
• The Bus is a communication pathway for data transfer between components.

CPU Architecture

Von Neumann vs. Harvard Architecture

• The Von Neumann Architecture is the most common architecture, using a single bus for data and instructions.
• The Harvard Architecture uses separate buses for data and instructions, resulting in faster performance.

RISC vs. CISC

• RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) uses a simplified instruction set, resulting in improved performance and power efficiency.
• CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing) uses more complex instructions, resulting in better code density.

Memory Hierarchy

• Main Memory (RAM) is volatile, temporary storage.
• Cache Memory is a small, fast memory for frequently accessed data.
• Virtual Memory is a combination of RAM and disk storage for efficient memory use.

Performance Metrics

• Clock Speed (GHz) measures CPU processing speed.
• Instructions Per Clock (IPC) measures CPU efficiency.
• MIPS (Millions of Instructions Per Second) measures CPU performance.

Parallelism

• Multithreading allows multiple threads to share CPU resources.
• Multiprocessing uses multiple CPUs or cores for improved performance.
• Distributed Computing involves multiple computers working together on a task.