Computer Architecture Components Quiz

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In the context of interrupts, what occurs when an I/O device completes an operation?

The Interrupt Service Routine is bypassed.

The General Registers are cleared.

The Program Counter starts from the beginning.

The Program Status Word is updated with the current state of the interrupted program. (correct)

How does a multiple interrupt situation affect the interrupt processing?

It can lead to nested interrupts. (correct)

It reduces the need for an Interrupt Service Routine.

It prevents the updating of General Registers.

It speeds up the processing of each interrupt.

What is the purpose of an Interrupt Handler in the context of interrupt-driven I/O?

To execute the I/O operation immediately.

To clear all General Registers.

To handle the interruption caused by I/O devices. (correct)

To stop the user program abruptly.

How does interrupts relate to Performance Scaling in a computer system?

Interrupts can improve performance by reducing CPU idle time during I/O operations. Signup and view all the answers

What determines which cache location the block will occupy?

Mapping Function Signup and view all the answers

Which I/O technique requires the processor to actively intervene in the data transfer between memory and an I/O module?

Programmed I/O Signup and view all the answers

What is the main drawback of Programmed and Interrupt-Driven I/O methods in terms of transfer rate?

Limited by processor speed Signup and view all the answers

Which I/O technique transfers data directly to and from memory without involving the processor during the transfer?

Direct Memory Access (DMA) Signup and view all the answers

In Symmetric Multiprocessors (SMP), what characteristic describes processors sharing access to I/O devices?

Availability Signup and view all the answers

What system feature allows for the addition of another processor to enhance performance without halting the machine in SMP organization?

Availability Incremental Growth Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of Symmetric Multiprocessors (SMP) regarding performance?

Performance scaling with multiple processors Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic defines a Multicore Computer?

Combining two or more processors on a single die Signup and view all the answers

In what type of I/O operation does the processor repeatedly check the I/O module status until the instruction is complete?

Programmed I/O Signup and view all the answers

Which mechanism allows for efficient data transfer between memory and an I/O module without involving the processor in each transfer?

Direct Memory Access (DMA) Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of a Multicore Computer distinguishes it from traditional single-core systems?

Combining multiple processors on a single chip Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of interrupts in a computer system?

To improve processor utilization Signup and view all the answers

In a Symmetric Multiprocessor (SMP) system, how is the workload typically divided among the processors?

Each processor executes a copy of the same program Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of System Bus in a computer system?

Facilitates communication among processors, main memory, and I/O modules Signup and view all the answers

How do interrupts affect the normal sequencing of a processor?

Interrupts pause the processor's current task to handle another task Signup and view all the answers

What role does Program Counter (PC) play during instruction execution in a computer system?

Holds the address of the next instruction to be executed Signup and view all the answers

How does a multicore computer differ from a single-core computer in terms of performance?

Multicore computers can execute multiple instructions simultaneously Signup and view all the answers