Computer Architecture Basics

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What is the primary function of a memory cell in a computer?

To control data movement

To execute instructions

To store one bit of data (correct)

To perform arithmetic operations

What is the main consequence of Moore's Law on the development of computer technology?

Increased size of computers

Increased power consumption

Reduced operating speed

Dramatic reduction in the cost of computer logic and memory circuitry (correct)

What is the term for the process of integrating many transistors on a single chip of silicon?

Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI)

Micro Scale Integration (MSI)

Large Scale Integration (LSI) (correct)

Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI)

What was the significance of the Intel 4004 microprocessor, developed in 1971?

It was the first microprocessor to contain all the components of a CPU on a single chip Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of reducing the electrical path length on a microprocessor?

Increased operating speed Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process of moving data between different components of a computer system?

Data movement Signup and view all the answers

What microprocessor speed technique enables the processor to look ahead in the instruction code and predict which branches are likely to be processed next?

Branch prediction Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following technologies is designed specifically to process video, audio, and graphics data?

MMX technology Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a cache?

To reduce the frequency of memory access Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a processor organization and architecture technique?

Change the DRAM interface to make it more efficient Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of the superscalar organization technique?

Execute multiple instructions in parallel Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of multitasking?

To enable the processor to execute multiple tasks simultaneously Signup and view all the answers

What is the instruction set architecture (ISA) of the x86 microprocessor?

CISC Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a challenge associated with increasing clock speed?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of pipelining?

Increase the effective speed of instruction execution Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a cache technology?

Instruction cache Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) in the IAS computer?

To operate on binary data Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Memory Buffer Register (MBR) in the IAS computer?

To contain a word to be stored in memory or sent to the I/O unit Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary application of the UNIVAC I computer?

Both scientific and commercial applications Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the invention of the transistor in 1947?

It led to the development of smaller and cheaper computers Signup and view all the answers

What was a major feature of the second generation of computers?

The use of high-level programming languages Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in 1957?

It began the mini-computer phenomenon Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a gate in microelectronics?

To implement simple Boolean or logical functions Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary characteristic of the integrated circuit (IC) invented in 1958?

It was a single, self-contained transistor Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the IBM System/360 in the third generation of computers?

It was a major member of the third generation of computers Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation in the development of commercial computers?

It introduced the first commercial computer Signup and view all the answers