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29 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is the purpose of a CPU? |
To process data and instructions |
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What does MAR stand for? |
Memory Address Register |
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What is the function of the MAR? |
Contents of the CPU or the address of required data are copied here and sent along the address bus |
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What does CIR stand for? |
Current instruction Register |
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What is the function of the CIR? |
The instructions stored in the MDR are copied here |
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What does MDR stand for? |
Memory data register |
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What is the function of the MDR? |
Once data and instructions are brought from or are to be sent to the memory address in the main memory, they are placed here |
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What is the function of the control bus? |
Controls signals sent along the control bus |
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What is cache and what is its purpose? |
-Very fast memory between RAM and CPU -To access data frequently used by the CPU more quickly -MS-data is transferred faster which makes CPU more efficient |
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What does PC stand for? |
Program counter |
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What is the purpose of a PC? |
Holds the location of the next instruction in the main memory |
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What is the function of the address bus? |
Carry addresses from the processor to the main memory for data/instructions that the processor is working with |
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What is the purpose of the main memory? |
Hold data and instructions that are currently in use by the processor |
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What is the function of the processor? |
To fetch, decode and execute instructions |
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What is the function of the arithmetic logic unit? |
To perform arithmetic and logic operations |
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What is the function of the data bus? |
Carries data and instructions from the processor to the main memory and vice versa |
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What is the function of the accumulator? |
Results of calculations are placed here |
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What is clock speed? |
The number of instructions a single processor can carry out at once |
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How does clock speed affect the performance of a CPU? |
Greater the clock speed, the greater number of instructions can be carried out per second |
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How does clock speed affect the performance of a CPU? |
Greater the clock speed, the greater number of instructions can be carried out per second |
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How can you increase clock speed? |
By overclocking |
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What are the disadvantages of overclocking? |
-Can cause CPU to overheat -Causing crashes -Permanent damage to system |
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How do you resolve the problems caused by overclocking? |
Cooling systems |
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How does cache size affect the performance of a CPU? |
Greater the cache size, faster CPU can access data it needs to process |
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How does the number of cores affect the performance of a CPU? |
Greater the number of cores, the more instructions can be carried out at once |
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What is an embedded system? |
A computer that is built into another device |
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What is the purpose of an embedded system? |
To perform specialised tasks |
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Give 3 examples of embedded systems |
-Washing machines -Dishwashers -Smart Thermostats |
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What’s the fetch decode execute cycle? |
(Fetch) 1. Memory address from PC is copied to MAR 2. Instruction is fetched from memory 3. Fetched instruction is copied to MDR 4. Value in PC is changed to point to the address of the next instruction (Decode) 5.Fetched instruction is decided by CU 6. A new value may be loaded to MAR/MDR to prepare for the execute step (Execute) 7. Decoded instruction is executed E.g. a calculation is done 8. Cycle is repeated |
