Computer Architecture Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary difference between the 80286 and earlier processors?

It has a higher transistor count than the 8086.

It operates on a 32-bit data bus.

It introduces multitasking and memory protection. (correct)

It is the first 64-bit processor.

Which of the following features was introduced with the 80486?

128-bit address bus

Expanded 16-bit registers

Real mode and protected mode

On-chip floating point unit (FPU) (correct)

What significant advancement did the 80386 introduce compared to previous models?

Increased clock speed beyond 25 MHz

32-bit computing with extended registers (correct)

Support for multiple interrupt lines

Support for external cache memory

Which processor first implemented a superscalar architecture?

Pentium Signup and view all the answers

The external data bus size of the Pentium processor is:

64-bit Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary target market for the Apple II?

Businesses and home users Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors significantly contributed to the success of the IBM PC architecture?

Open design Signup and view all the answers

What was the maximum main memory capacity of the IBM PC?

640kb Signup and view all the answers

Which CPU was utilized in the first IBM PC?

8088 Signup and view all the answers

What year did the UNIVAC-I, the first commercially successful electronic computer, launch?

1951 Signup and view all the answers

What technology replaced vacuum tubes in the second generation of computers?

Transistors Signup and view all the answers

Which programming languages were primarily used in the second generation of computers?

Assembly language, COBOL, and FORTAN Signup and view all the answers

How many calculations per second could the UNIVAC-I perform?

100,000 Signup and view all the answers

Which computer architecture allowed the running of multiple application programs simultaneously?

Third Generation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a major limitation mentioned by Bill Gates regarding memory in 1981?

640k ought to be enough for anybody. Signup and view all the answers

Which component of a PC binds the CPU, memory subsystem, and I/O subsystem together?

Controller Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant characteristic of the fourth generation of computers?

Transition to GUI-based operating systems Signup and view all the answers

What was a characteristic of the Altair PC upon its release?

I/O through front panel switch and LEDs Signup and view all the answers

Which generation of computers first utilized VLSI circuits and microprocessors?

Fourth Generation Signup and view all the answers

What device technology characterized the first generation of computers?

Electromechanical relays and vacuum tubes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is NOT true regarding computer generations?

The third generation introduced GUI-based systems. Signup and view all the answers

What function is assigned to interrupt vector 00h?

Divide By Zero Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following addresses is used for Video Memory (Graphics)?

AFFFF-A0000 Signup and view all the answers

What does DMA channel 2 primarily control?

Floppy disk controller Signup and view all the answers

Which component typically handles communications among the CPU, RAM, and PCI Express video cards?

Northbridge Signup and view all the answers

Which timer channel is used for the internal system clock?

Channel 0 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of interrupt vector 07h?

Math Coprocessor Not Present Signup and view all the answers

What type of memory is described as being 8-bit wide in a typical system based on 8088?

Working RAM Signup and view all the answers

DMA channels 5 to 7 are categorized as?

16 bit channels Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the UART in a typical system based on 8088?

Communication Interface Signup and view all the answers

Which type of interrupt is categorized as Nonmaskable Interrupt (NMI)?

Interrupt vector 02h Signup and view all the answers

What type of processors is the i875 chipset compatible with?

Pentium 4 and Celeron processors with clock > 1.3 GHZ Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the computer integrates signals from the I/O units to the CPU?

Southbridge Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of moving the memory controller onto the processor die, as done by AMD and Intel?

Reduced latency from CPU to memory Signup and view all the answers

What feature does Nvidia's nForce3 chipset offer that is distinct for AMD64 systems?

Single-chip design combining Southbridge features with an AGP port Signup and view all the answers

Which processor architecture first integrated the memory controller on the chip?

AMD64 processors Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following trends describes the goals of modern processor design?

Better performance and lower cost Signup and view all the answers

What significant advancement does Moore's Law refer to in relation to computer hardware?

Growth in the number of transistors on a microchip Signup and view all the answers

What effect do submicron features in VLSI technology have on CPUs?

Improved performance and reduced energy consumption Signup and view all the answers

Which component manages power and battery-backed memory in a computer?

Southbridge Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of the full integration of Northbridge functions in Intel's Sandy Bridge processors?

Reduced manufacturing costs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

System Architecture - PC Architecture Part 1

The presentation covers PC architecture, focusing on the history, evolution, and key components.
PC architecture is highly popular due to its open design, readily available details, and a comprehensive understanding of the x86 architecture.
The presentation will explore the evolution of system architecture, memory technologies, chipsets, and buses.
Topics covered include a history of computing, IBM PC architecture, CPU generations, and fundamental microprocessor design principles.

Prerequisites

Students need a firm understanding of microprocessor fundamentals.
Familiarity with microprocessor-based system design is essential.
Knowledge of various components and memory types is required.
Programming skills in assembly language are also beneficial.

General Guidelines

Slides are provided, so detailed note-taking isn't necessary.
If a concept is unclear, students should ask the instructor, not a classmate.
Lab assignments need to apply theoretical knowledge effectively.
Time is limited, and students must adhere to the scheduled deadlines.

Generations of Computers

Computer generations are determined by device technology, system architecture, processing mode, and programming languages used.
The first generation used electromechanical relays and vacuum tubes (1940s-1950s) including ENIAC and UNIVAC.
The second generation used transistors, core memory and used assembly language, COBOL and FORTRAN. Examples include TRADIC (Bell Labs) and IBM 1620.
The third generation used LSI and MSI circuits, core memory and allowed multiple applications to run simultaneously. Examples include CDC-6600 and IBM 360 series.
The fourth generation used VLSI circuits and microprocessors, solid state memories, and GUI-based operating systems. Examples include Cray-1, Cray X-MP, IBM 370, and Macintosh.

History of Computing

In 1943, Thomas Watson, the IBM chairman, predicted a market for only five computers in total.
The ENIAC, weighing 30 tonnes and containing 18,000 valves, consumed 25kW of power and could perform 100,000 calculations per second.
UNIVAC-I launched in 1951, became the first commercially successful electronic computer.

History of the PC

Altair released the first PC (personal computer) in 1975.
I/O used front panel switches and LEDs and were mostly for hobbies and hackers.
Apple II was a commercially successful PC, targeted at home and business markets
Other manufacturers such as Tandy, Commodore, and TI, also introduced PCs and often had their own proprietary architecture, bus, and OS standards.

IBM PC Architecture

IBM PC architecture dates back to 1978.
IBM launched the PC in 1981.
Open design documentation made IBM PC a successful product.
The open design allowed different hardware vendors to standardize hardware and software to improve interoperability, making standardization common.
It is important to compare it with Apple's Macintosh systems.

PC Specifications

The original IBM PC had an 8088 CPU operating at 4.77 MHz.
Optional 8087 coprocessor.
16K to 640K RAM expandable.
160KB floppy disk drives.
CGA (Color Graphics Adapter) display adapter.
84-key keyboard

PC Architecture in Hardware

The PC architecture's design differs from the microprocessor.
Firmware abstracts system software (operating system).
Software (such as Windows APIs) adapts to future hardware demands.
Peripherals are covered here also.

Input/Output Systems of PC

The slides explain the components like memory, CPU, input devices (keyboard, mouse, etc.), output devices (monitor, printers), and controllers.
Details on buses and how they connect these components.

Block diagrams of PCs (XT and AT)

A block diagram details the internal structure of CPUs, memories, and other essential components such as graphics cards, controllers, and buses.

PC I/O Map

A table listing the addresses for various hardware devices and functions such as timers, DMA controllers, and communications controllers.

PC Interrupt Usage

Provides a table listing interrupts (IRQs), their associated numbers (IRQ#) and functions (what the interrupt handles).
A note on the interrupt vector table assignment.

Processor Interrupt Usage

Listing of different interrupt functions and their corresponding hexadecimal code.

Memory Map

Maps different memory addresses to component types for locating data in RAM and BIOS.

Timer Channels

Enumerates the different timer channels and their associated tasks.

DMA Channels

Describes various DMA channels and their associated usage.

PC Chipset

Diagrams showing the components of chipsets (northbridge and southbridge), their functions, and connections to other parts of the system.

Northbridge

Describes functions of the Northbridge, its connections to the CPU, RAM, and PCI Express bus.

Southbridge

Describes functions of the Southbridge, its connections to peripherals, PCI, ISA and other devices, and power management.

Intel Chipset

A visual representation of a particular Intel chipset with its interconnected components.

Recent Trends

Processors design integrates more functions.
Reduced cost, better performance chip design.
Memory controller is combined with processor die.
New designs like nForce3 use a single chip for both north and southbridge functions.
Sandy Bridge integrates northbridge functions onto the CPU.

Transformation

Diagrams show how integrated components result in a better design.
Shows how CPU, graphics, memory, and networking functions and other interconnected components are integrated into the chipset.

Three Directions

High integration drives better performance and lower cost.

Contributing Factors

Advances in VLSI (Moore's Law) are discussed, alongside their effect on CPU speed, memory, peripherals, and bandwidth.

Advances in VLSI

The era of submicron features (0.09 micro) for more processing power and performance.

Processors

List of earlier and newer versions of PC Processors covered.

CPU

Components affecting CPU performance such as ALU width, clock speed, core efficiency, and system interfaces are discussed.
PC processors incorporate microarchitectural features for parallelism and speed, enabling them to process a greater number of instructions simultaneously, all because of the advancement in transistor budget.

PC Processor Features

PC processors feature superscalar execution, deep pipelining, out-of-order execution, and speculative instruction execution for better performance.

Path to Performance

Designers must meet performance targets within limitations of cost, power, and size.
Application performance should ideally be the primary measure to evaluate performance.
Speed is sometimes mistakenly viewed as a primary measure of processor performance, rather than application performance.

Path to Performance (continued)

Advanced semiconductors enable faster operations and signal travel.
More transistors lead to less execution latency, and parallelizing functions often help.

Intel x86 Architecture

History and characteristics of the x86 architecture are explored.
Segmenting memory is important for maintaining compatibility with older systems.
CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing): A key architecture characteristics including a large number of instructions, variable lengths, and multiple addressing modes.

8086/88

Key characteristics of Intel 8086/88 CPU.

80286: Multi-user Configuration

Key architectural aspects of the 80286 CPU highlighting memory and data characteristics.
Multitasking, memory protection, and virtual memory features are discussed.

80386: 32-bit Computing

Key features of the 32-bit architecture.
Improved architecture and features are explored, including extended registers.
Support for paging and switching between protected mode.

80486: Functional Integration

Features of 80486, including its on-chip FPU (floating-point unit) and enhanced caching.
Simplification and improvement in bus interface.

486 Variants

Different versions of the 486 processor with variations in clock speeds and cost considerations.

Pentium

Key characteristics of the Pentium processor including its transistors, external address bus width, and external data bus width, as well as speed grades and bus functionality.

Processor Design - Instruction Set Processors

Instruction Set Processors (ISPs) execute commands from a predefined set of instructions.
This functionality depends on the instruction set.

Instruction Set Architecture

ISA serves as an interface between hardware and software, programming with a standard set.
ISA specifications for designs and implementation.
Migration to a different ISA is typically difficult.
Includes examples like IBM 360/370 and Intel IA32.

Dynamic Static Interface

Highlights the differences between compile-time and runtime actions and the placement of the interface logic within the software and hardware.

Possible Placements of DSI

Diagram showing the various levels of abstraction and locations for the dynamic static interface (DSI-1, DSI-2, DSI-3) within the processor architecture.

Instruction Execution

A visual representation of the steps involved in executing instructions within a processor, including fetching, decoding, and executing, with labels representing the different components' functions.

Features of CISC

CISC processors support a diverse range of instructions for handling various needs; this allows for more flexibility in software and programming languages.

RISC

Key aspects of RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) architecture; focusing on speed optimization, instruction set simplification and use of pipelining

RISC (continued)

Key features highlighted in brief form.

Performance Equation

Shows the calculation of the total time needed to run a program, including time per cycle and cycles per instruction, based on the processor's nature (CISC or RISC).

ILP Processors

Description of different Instruction Level Parallelism (ILP) processing types, including pipelined and superscaler instructions execution capabilities.

Superscaler approach

Diagram showcasing the execution and steps in a superscaler processor where multiple instructions are handled at the same time.

VLIW approach

Diagram of a VLIW (Very Long Instruction Word) processor architecture where multiple instructions are packed into a single instruction word.

History of Superscalar

Historical context of the development and introduction of superscalar processors; detailing different projects and commercial products that use the concept for higher processing speed.

CISC superscalar

Discusses the complexities unique to incorporating superscalar methodology into CISC architectures compared to RISC.
Highlights the steps in implementation and design differences related to instruction sets and memory architectures.

Superscalar processing

Five specific tasks involved in proper superscalar operation, including parallel tasks for speed, data, and exception handling.

Parallel decoding

Describes, in parallel decoding context, the factors and considerations involved in designing, implementing, and comparing scalar vs. superscalar methods.

Decoding and Issue

Diagram showing the typical flow of decoding instructions and issuing them using scalar issue vs. superscalar instructions issue, highlighting how prefetching and instruction buffering increase processing speed.

Predecoding

Explains pre-decoding and its advantages in various instruction execution scenarios.
Describes how predecoding enhances the instruction processing pipeline efficiency.

Superscaler Instruction Issue

Emphasizes the different aspects of efficient instruction issue for superscalar processors.

Issue Policy

Different methods to manage and handle data and control dependencies when issuing instructions.

Data Dependencies

Describes scenarios where instructions are dependent on the results of other instructions, and highlights the Read After Write (RAW) dependency.

False Data Dependencies

Discusses the Write After Read (WAR) and Write After Write (WAW) data dependency issues; focusing on ways to properly handle conflicts and ordering within a processor without performance hit.

Register Renaming

Describing how register renaming helps resolve potential conflicts and improves the execution efficiency when potential issues (WAR or WAW) are found in a processor.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the evolution of computer processors with this quiz. Questions cover the key differences and advancements introduced by the 80286, 80386, 80486, and Pentium processors. Challenge yourself to recall significant features and architectural changes.