Hardware

• What does CPU stand for?

  Central Processing Unit
• What is the main function of the Control Unit in a CPU?

  Directs the flow of instructions and data
• What does the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) do?

  Performs mathematical calculations and logical operations
• What are Registers in a CPU?

  Fast access storage locations for temporary data
• What is the purpose of the Program Counter (PC)?

  Keeps track of the next instruction's memory address
• What does the Memory Address Register (MAR) do?

  Stores the address in main memory being accessed
• What is the function of the Current Instruction Register (CIR)?

  Holds the instruction fetched from memory
• What is the purpose of Memory in a computer?

  Temporary storage of running programs and data
• What is Cache memory?

  Fast, expensive volatile memory in the CPU
• What does clock speed refer to in a CPU?

  Number of FDE cycles per second
• How do cores in a processor affect performance?

  Allow multiple instructions to be processed simultaneously
• What does volatile mean in terms of memory?

  Data is lost when power is interrupted
• What does permanent mean in terms of memory?

  Data is retained when power is interrupted
• What is the typical Von Neumann architecture?

  • Fetch-Decode-Execute (FDE) cycle
  • Components: Input, Output, Memory, Register, Control Unit, ALU, CPU
• What are the steps in the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle?

  1. Fetch: Retrieve instruction from memory
  2. Decode: Interpret the instruction
  3. Execute: Perform the instruction's actions
• What factors affect CPU performance?

  Cache size, clock speed, number of cores
• How does cache size affect CPU performance?

  Stores more data for faster access
• How does clock speed influence CPU performance?

  FDE cycle runs faster, more instructions processed
• What is the impact of having more cores in a CPU?

  More instructions can be processed simultaneously
• What is RISC architecture?

  Processes simpler instructions quickly
• What is CISC architecture?

  Processes complex instructions without breaking them down
• What are the advantages of RISC and CISC processors?

  RISC Advantages:

  • Quick processing of simpler instructions
  • Less circuitry, lower power consumption

  
  

  CISC Advantages:

  • Processes complex instructions directly
  • Fewer instructions needed for complex tasks
• What are the disadvantages of RISC and CISC processors?

  RISC Disadvantages:

  • May require more instructions for complex tasks

  
  

  CISC Disadvantages:

  • More circuitry, higher power consumption, more heat
• What are common input devices?

  • Keyboard
  • Mouse
  • Scanner
  • Graphic tablet
  • Microphone
  • Touch screen
  • Webcam
• What are common output devices?

  • Speakers
  • Headphones
  • Printers
  • Projectors
  • Plotters
  • Video cards
  • Sound cards
• What are the types of primary storage memory?

  • Cache memory: Volatile
  • Read-only Memory (ROM): Permanent
  • Random Access Memory (RAM): Volatile
  • Flash memory: Permanent
• What are the types of secondary storage?

  • Optical: Uses laser beams
  • Magnetic: Uses read-write head
  • Solid state: No moving parts
• What are the functional characteristics of contemporary secondary storage devices?

  • Flash drive: 2 GB – 512 GB, portable, low speed
  • External hard drive: 320 MB – 8 TB, less portable, moderate speed
  • CD/DVD/Blu-ray: 650 MB – 50 GB, portable, low speed
  • Magnetic tape: 200 GB – 400 GB, less portable, low speed
• What is the value of 1 Terabyte (TB) in Gigabytes (GB)?

  1024 GB
• What is the value of 1 Megabyte (MB) in Kilobytes (kB)?

  1024 kB
• What is the value of 1 Byte (B) in bits?

  8 bits
• What are the types of Graphics Processing Units (GPUs)?

  • Integrated GPU: Uses RAM, less power, general use
  • Dedicated GPU: Own video memory, high performance, more power
• What is the function of a sound card?

  Converts analogue signals to digital data
• What is the role of a motherboard?

  Main circuit board of the computer
• What is an embedded system?

  Combination of software and hardware for specific tasks