The CPU

• What does 'CPU' stand for?

  Central Processing Unit
• What is the purpose of the CPU?

  To process data and instructions
• What are the main components of the CPU?

  • Control Unit (CU)
  • Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
  • Registers
  • Cache memory
• What does the Control Unit (CU) do?

  It sends control signals to direct CPU operations
• What is the function of the ALU?

  It performs simple calculations and logical operations
• What is a register?

  A temporary storage space for instructions
• What is the purpose of cache memory?

  To temporarily store frequently accessed data
• How does cache memory compare to registers and RAM?

  Cache is slower than registers but faster than RAM
• What is computer architecture?

  • The design and structure of a computer
  • Determines how components interact
  • Influences performance and capabilities
• What is the most common type of computer architecture?

  Von Neumann architecture
• Who developed the concept of stored program computers?

  John von Neumann
• What is a key feature of Von Neumann architecture?

  Stores both program instructions and data in RAM
• How does Harvard architecture differ from Von Neumann architecture?

  Harvard has separate memories for instructions and data
• What are buses in computer architecture?

  Pathways for data transfer between components
• What are the components of the fetch-execute cycle?

  1. Fetch the instruction from memory
  2. Decode the instruction
  3. Execute the instruction
  4. Store the result
• What is the purpose of the fetch-execute cycle?

  To process data and instructions
• What role do control signals play in the CPU?

  They direct the operation of the CPU
• What is the relationship between cache memory and RAM?

  Cache is faster but smaller than RAM
• What is the function of the ALU in the CPU?

  Performs arithmetic and logic operations
• What is the significance of registers in the CPU?

  They provide temporary storage for instructions
• How does the Control Unit interact with other CPU components?

  It sends control signals to the ALU and RAM
• What is the role of cache memory in improving CPU performance?

  It speeds up access to frequently used data
• What is the main difference between Von Neumann and Harvard architectures?

  Von Neumann uses one memory, Harvard uses two
• What is the purpose of buses in a computer system?

  To transfer data between components