Computer Architecture Basics
48 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the role of the CPU in a computer?

  • Interconnecting all components via the motherboard.
  • Storing programs for execution.
  • Handling input and output operations.
  • Performing arithmetic and logical operations. (correct)

    • Which component is responsible for storing programs to be executed by the computer?

  • Motherboard
  • Central Processing Unit (CPU)
  • Peripherals
  • Central Memory (correct)

    • How are the three main components of a computer interconnected?

  • Through communication lines on the motherboard. (correct)
  • Through encrypted data connections.
  • Using external hard drives.
  • Via a communications network.

    • What is a key characteristic of the Von Neumann architectural model?

    <p>It uses a single memory space for both programs and data.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of peripherals in a computer system?

    <p>To input or output information to and from a computer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which operation does not belong to the basic functions performed by the CPU?

    <p>Network communication.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the central memory do with regards to the CPU and its operations?

    <p>It temporarily holds programs that the CPU executes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement is true regarding the execution of programs in a computer?

    <p>Logical and arithmetic operations form the basis of programming.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What component is primarily responsible for executing machine instructions?

    <p>Central Processing Unit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes a feature of processors?

    <p>Frequency in MHz or GHz</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does IPC stand for in relation to CPU performance?

    <p>Instructions Per Clock</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following components connects to the motherboard through the CPU socket?

    <p>Central Processing Unit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU) within a CPU?

    <p>Performing arithmetic and logical operations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The term 'word size' in processors refers to what?

    <p>Data processed in one go, measured in bits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is a fan required for the CPU?

    <p>To keep its temperature cool</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the Von Neumann model relate to computer architecture?

    <p>It provides a conceptual structure for general-purpose computers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the Control Unit (CU) in a CPU?

    <p>It fetches and decodes instructions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following registers are considered special-purpose registers?

    <p>SP and BP</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes multicore CPUs from single-core CPUs?

    <p>They include multiple computing cores on a single chip.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which command is used in GNU/Linux to display CPU features?

    <p>lscpu</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are cache memory levels in CPUs typically organized?

    <p>In hierarchical levels: L1, L2, and L3.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the Processor Instruction Set?

    <p>To define the set of machine instructions a processor can execute.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes RISC architecture?

    <p>It simplifies instructions for faster execution and reduced cycles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a type of communication bus in CPUs?

    <p>System bus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does RISC stand for in computer architecture?

    <p>Reduced Instruction Set Computer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of CISC processors?

    <p>Execute several low-level operations per instruction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which processor architecture is commonly used today for most personal computers?

    <p>x86</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one advantage of RISC architecture over CISC?

    <p>Less expensive due to smaller chips</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which instruction set architecture is associated with supercomputers like Fugaku?

    <p>RISC</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes ARM architecture in modern computing from historical architectures?

    <p>It is primarily used in mobile devices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary disadvantage of CISC processors?

    <p>They produce less efficient code than RISC</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following families is NOT an example of RISC architecture?

    <p>Intel 8080</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the final value of the register Ax after executing the provided x86-assembly program?

    <p>0x0078</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which operation does the instruction 'JBE T' perform in the assembly program?

    <p>Jump if Cx is below or equal to 5</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the instruction 'INC Cx' achieve?

    <p>Increases the value of Cx by 1</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic is typical of RISC processors?

    <p>Most instructions are executed in one clock cycle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary distinction between single-processor and multi-processor systems?

    <p>Single-processor systems execute instructions without parallel execution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'Instruction Per Clock Cycle' refer to?

    <p>The average number of instructions a CPU can perform simultaneously in a cycle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do modern superscalar CPUs enhance performance?

    <p>By executing multiple instructions per clock cycle using instruction-level parallelism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What may cause certain complex instructions to take multiple clock cycles?

    <p>The size of the operand being processed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a defining feature of a TPU?

    <p>It includes both special-purpose processors and one general-purpose processor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the benefits of multiprocessor systems?

    <p>Improved throughput and response time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes multicore CPUs?

    <p>They contain multiple processing units on a single chip.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes clustered systems?

    <p>Consist of independent systems connected via a local area network.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of multiprocessor systems?

    <p>Utilizes a single processing core per chip.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one advantage of clustered systems?

    <p>They can scale easily for high-performance computing applications.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main function of a general-purpose processor in a TPU?

    <p>To handle basic computing tasks in AI systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might multicore processors be advantageous in modern computing?

    <p>They can perform multiple tasks simultaneously.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Information Technology Essentials - Lecture 4

    • Computer Architecture: Computers have evolved in structure, size, and performance. However, generally computers have three main components.
    • CPU (Central Processing Unit): Also known as a Processor or Microprocessor. It performs arithmetic and logical operations.
    • Central Memory: Stores programs to be executed by the computer.
    • Peripherals (I/O Devices): Input/output devices used to exchange information to and from the computer.
    • Motherboard: Interconnects the CPU, central memory, and peripherals via communication lines (system bus).

    Von Neumann Architectural Model

    • Represents a computer with a Central Processing Unit, Central Memory Unit, and Input/Output Units.
    • Components are connected via System Bus (Control Bus, Address Bus, Data Bus).
    • This model illustrates how components interact for basic functionality.

    CPU (Recap)

    • CPU operations: Executing programs involve performing arithmetic and logical operations.
    • CPU Memory: The central memory temporarily stores programs for execution, as well as input and output.
    • Input/Output peripherals: Input peripherals receive user input; output peripherals display results to the user.
    • Communication: The motherboard connects components through the system bus for communication.
    • Modern computers: The Von Neumann architectural model represents general-purpose computers.

    Central Processing Unit (CPU)

    • Processors (Microprocessors): Complex electronic circuits for fast machine instruction execution.
    • Processor Features: Frequency (MHz/GHz), internal memory (cache/registers), word size (8-64 bit), and number of cores.
    • CPU Socket: Connects processor to motherboard.
    • Cooling: CPUs require cooling (fan) to regulate temperature.

    CPU (Structural Components)

    • Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Performs arithmetic and logical operations.
    • Control Unit (CU): Fetches and decodes instructions.
    • Registers: Small, high-speed storage locations, general and special use purpose (like MAR, MBR, PC etc.).
    • Cache Memory: Small, fast memory organized in levels (L1, L2, L3).
    • Communication Buses: Address, data, and control buses for communication.

    Modern CPU Design

    • Multicore: Modern CPUs have multiple computing cores on a single chip, for example, Intel Pentium D, Core i3/i5/i9, AMD Ryzen 3 etc.
    • Multicore Operation: Each core has its own ALU and CU in most cases, and shared cache.
    • CPU Feature Query (Windows): Windows PCs display CPU information in System > About.

    Modern CPU Design (GNU/Linux)

    • Command: The GNU/Linux lscpu command displays CPU details (architecture, cores, threads, cache size, etc.).

    Processor Instruction Set

    • Set of Machine Instructions: Defines instructions a processor can decode and execute.

    • CISC and RISC: Two major instruction set architectures.

    • CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computers): Single instructions to handle multiple low-level operations (e.g., PDP-11).

      • Fewer instructions are required for complex operations.
      • Easier to implement with microprogramming.
      • Typically uses more transistors as instructions have more complex operations.

    • RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computers): One instruction per low-level operation.

      • More instructions are needed for complex operations.
      • More efficient because the instructions are simpler.
      • Generally less expensive as the chip designs are simpler and use fewer transistors.

    • x86 architecture: Common in personal computers.

    • ARM architecture: Common in mobile devices, embedded systems.

    • Specific Example: (x86) MOV, INC, CMP, JE, HLT

    • Machine Instructions and Opcodes: The transformation of assembly instructions into machine instructions (OPcodes) handled by assembler programs (like NASM).

    • Instruction Byte Sizes: Instruction sets have multiple byte sizes for different instructions (Intel, 1-14 bytes).

    • Clock Cycle and Execution: Different instructions may use different clock cycle times for execution.

    • Instruction per Clock Cycle: Earlier processors executed only one simple instruction per clock cycle; newer processors (pipelined/superscalar) execute multiple instructions per clock cycle (Instruction-Level Parallelism (ILP)).

    Single Processor Systems

    • Single CPU: Only one CPU capable of general-purpose tasks.
    • Special Processors: Systems may include other special-purpose processors for tasks like device control or on mainframes.
    • Example: A computer with only one general-purpose processor, and multiple other special-purpose processors is still considered a single-processor system.
    • Graphical Processing Unit (GPU): Specialized for visual and graphical tasks, often used for scientific simulations or cryptanalysis.
    • Tensor Processing Unit (TPU): Specialized for high-speed, low-latency machine learning tasks using deep learning algorithms.

    Multiprocessor Systems

    • Multiple CPUs: Two or more CPUs executing a general-purpose instruction set, share memory and peripherals, etc.
    • Applications: Multiprocessor systems, such as those seen in servers, eventually became available on desktops, laptops and smartphones.
    • Improvements: Provide higher throughput, response time, turn-around time, greater reliability, compared to single-core systems.

    Clustered Systems

    • Connected Multiprocessing: Several interconnected computer systems (hosts).
    • Functionalities: Hosts are connected via local area networks; share storage and resources; provide high availability.
    • Specific applications: Used in high-performance computing (HPC) environments.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Information Technology Essentials Lecture 04 PDF

    Description

    This quiz explores fundamental concepts of computer architecture, including the roles of the CPU, memory, and peripherals. Test your understanding of the Von Neumann architecture and the basic functions of a computer system's components. Perfect for beginners looking to grasp the essential workings of computers.

    More Like This

    Systems Architecture Quiz
    10 questions

    Systems Architecture Quiz

    RespectableRetinalite8384 avatar
    RespectableRetinalite8384
    Computer Components Overview
    12 questions

    Computer Components Overview

    ElegantSetting avatar
    ElegantSetting
    Computer Architecture: Memory Management and CPU Components
    18 questions

    Computer Architecture: Memory Management and CPU Components

    GreatPreRaphaelites avatar
    GreatPreRaphaelites
    Composantes d'un Microprocesseur
    13 questions

    Composantes d'un Microprocesseur

    RomanticParticle avatar
    RomanticParticle
    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser