Computer Architecture Overview

Study Notes

Random Access Memory (RAM) is typically used for general storage.
- Allows for reading and writing of data.
- Generally volatile, meaning the stored data is lost when power is turned off.
- An example is Dynamic RAM (DRAM).
Read Only Memory (ROM) stores data permanently, even when power is off.
- Can only be read from, not written to.
- Used for special-purpose storage, such as storing boot instructions.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) controls the instruction execution cycle, coordinating the activities of the computer's other components.
PC (Program Counter) holds the address of the next instruction to be executed.
MAR (Memory Address Register) holds the address of the memory location to be accessed.
MDR (Memory Data Register) holds the data that is being transferred to or from memory.
IR (Instruction Register) holds the current instruction being executed.
ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) performs arithmetic and logical operations on data.
ACC (Accumulator) holds the result of operations.

Data Movement Operations: Moving data between memory and the CPU, or within memory itself. Includes input and output operations.
Arithmetic and Logical Operations: Performing mathematical operations and comparing values.
Program Control Operations:
- Start and halt programs.
- Skip to other instructions.
- Test data to decide whether to skip certain instructions.

Modern CPUs are fabricated using Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI).
This allows for complex designs and a higher density of transistors on a single chip.
Intel® Core i9 processor-14900KS offers up to 6.2 GHz max turbo frequency, 24 cores, 32 threads, 150 watt processor base power, 36MB Intel Smart Cache, and 20 PCIe lanes.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X offers a base clock speed of 4.3 GHz, a max boost clock speed of 5.7 GHz, support for PCIe Gen 5 technology, and 5600 MHz ECC DDR5 RAM.

Intel is a leading semiconductor manufacturer, known for its integrated electronics.
AMD (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.) is a global company that specializes in manufacturing semiconductor devices used in computer processing.
Both Intel and AMD are major suppliers of microprocessors.

Overclocking involves increasing the clock speed of a CPU beyond its default settings.
This can improve performance, but can also generate more heat and potentially reduce the lifespan of the CPU.