The CPU

Question 1

What is the purpose of the CPU?

Answer 1

• To process data and instructions by constantly repeating the fetch-execute cycle.

Question 2

What does the Control Unit do?

Answer 2

• Sends control signals to direct the operation of the CPU.
• Decodes instructions in the F-E cycle.
• Control signals and timing signals are sent to the ALU and other components such as RAM.

Question 3

What is a register?

Answer 3

• A temporary storage space for one instruction or address.

Question 4

What does the ALU do?

Answer 4

• Performs simple calculations and logical operations.

Question 5

What does cache do?

Answer 5

• Cache memory is used to temporarily store data that is frequently accessed.
• Split into different levels.
• Slower to access than the registers but faster than RAM.

Question 6

What is an architecture of a computer?

Answer 6

The way a computer is designed and structured

Question 7

What is the von Neumann architecture?

Answer 7

• A computer with a Von Neumann architecture stores both program instructions and data in the same memory (RAM).
• Data is transferred between components on pathways called buses.