Computer Systems Architecture Quiz
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Questions and Answers

Which variable is NOT considered a part of design goals in computer system architecture?

  • User Interface Design (correct)
  • Latency
  • Power Consumption
  • Memory space
  • What does latency refer to in the context of computer speed?

  • The number of cycles per second the CPU operates at
  • The total work completed per unit of time
  • The total processing power of the CPU
  • The interval between the start of a process and its completion (correct)
  • Which of the following factors is least likely to affect the speed of a computer?

  • Network bandwidth (correct)
  • Number of functional units in the system
  • Usable memory
  • Bus speed
  • Which factor plays a crucial role in determining the performance of a computer system?

    <p>Clock speed of the CPU</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In designing a computer system for real-time operations, which aspect is most critical?

    <p>Low interrupt latencies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes throughput in a computer system?

    <p>The total quantity of work done in a specific period of time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When optimizing for performance, which design decision would likely reduce latency?

    <p>Using parallel processing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which parameter is NOT usually traded off in computer architectures?

    <p>User Satisfaction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does it mean for a device to be I/O bound?

    <p>The device is limited by its input/output operations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential drawback of benchmarking?

    <p>It may not help select the right computer for all applications.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might a manufacturer include special features for benchmarking?

    <p>To optimize performance for specific benchmarks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of CPU bound performance?

    <p>Limited by the processing speed of the CPU.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What background knowledge is recommended for students aiming to learn assembly language programming?

    <p>Confident programming skills in a high-level language.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what way has power consumption become increasingly significant?

    <p>It is notable for servers and portable devices like laptops.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of assembly language programming?

    <p>To understand the interaction between programming languages and hardware.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can be a limitation of a device's performance when considering benchmarks?

    <p>Performance can vary significantly across different applications.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes machine language from assembly language?

    <p>Machine language consists of binary code, while assembly language uses symbolic names.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of an assembler?

    <p>To translate assembly language into machine code.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about assembly language is true?

    <p>It is more efficient than high-level languages in execution speed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What constitutes the instruction set of a computer?

    <p>All instructions available in binary format for that machine.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might a programmer choose to learn assembly language?

    <p>To achieve better performance through optimization at a low level.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are high-level languages related to assembly language and machine language?

    <p>High-level languages must be translated into assembly language or machine language.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What format do computers use to process instructions?

    <p>Binary format consisting of 1s and 0s.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which feature is shared between assembly language and machine language?

    <p>Both have a one-to-one correspondence in their instructions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relative performance of machine A compared to machine B, if machine A executes a task in 105 seconds and machine B in 125 seconds?

    <p>1.19</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If a reference machine takes 100 seconds to run a program and the test machine takes 50 seconds, what is the speedup ratio?

    <p>2</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant limitation of using clock rate as a metric for CPU performance?

    <p>It fails to account for different operational efficiencies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the goal of a computer designer when improving a system?

    <p>To maximize throughput over the previous system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a performance comparison of machines A, B, and C that execute a task in 12 minutes 30 seconds, 8 minutes 5 seconds, and 10 minutes 5 seconds respectively, how is the performance of machine B relative to machine A calculated?

    <p>As a percentage of A's execution time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    From the information provided, if machine A executes a task in 750 seconds and machine B in 600 seconds, what would be the performance ratio of machine A to machine B?

    <p>1.25</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might a designer opt for performance metrics other than clock rate when assessing computer systems?

    <p>The relationship between clock rate and overall performance is complex.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What execution time indicates that machine A is faster than machine B?

    <p>When A's execution time is shorter than B's.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the MIPS rating for the first case scenario with 2 million one-cycle instructions and 1 million two-cycle instructions?

    <p>75 MIPS</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How much time does it take for the program with 1.5 million one-cycle instructions and 1.2 million two-cycle instructions to execute?

    <p>3.9 x 10^-2 s</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of instructions are one-cycle instructions if 70% of the total instructions fall into this category?

    <p>70%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the total number of instructions if a program has 4 x 10^6 instructions with 70% as one-cycle instructions?

    <p>4 x 10^6</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'Architecture' refer to in computer science?

    <p>The design of both hardware and software systems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If the cycle time is 10 ns, what is the MIPS rating for the second case scenario with 1.5 million one-cycle and 1.2 million two-cycle instructions?

    <p>69 MIPS</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is MIPS calculated based on the clock cycle time and instructions?

    <p>MIPS = $t_{cycle} imes ext{Σni} imes ext{ci} imes 10^6$</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factors are considered when determining the cost of a computer over time?

    <p>Implementation technology and distribution of power</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Computer Systems Architecture

    • Computer architecture involves the design and structure of a computer system, encompassing both hardware and software aspects.
    • It encompasses the design of the system software, such as the operating system, responsible for controlling the computer's operations.
    • It also refers to the combination of hardware and basic software that connects machines on a computer network.
    • Computer architecture signifies the overall structure and the specifics required for its functionality.
    • It covers computer systems, microprocessors, circuits, and system programs.
    • It emphasizes the structure and how the components of a computer fit together.
    • Computer architecture implies how the different components of a computer system are interconnected and designed to function as a cohesive unit.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge on the fundamentals of computer architecture, including both hardware and software components. This quiz covers essential topics such as microprocessors, operating systems, and network structures. Challenge yourself to understand how these elements work together to form a functional computer system.

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