Unit 1.1 System Architecture

Unit 1.1 System Architecture

1. Computing Components

   • CPU
     • Executes instructions
   • Motherboard
     • Connects and powers all the components
   • GPU
     • Turns data from CPU into graphics
   • Memory
     • Stores the data the user is currently using and what they have open but it is volatile
   • Secondary Storage
     • Stores permanent data the user has saved as well as the start up sequence
   • Network Card
     • Allows the computer to connect to a network

2. Von Neumann Architecture

   • MDR (Memory Data Register)-Stores the current data being used by the CPU
   • MAR (Memory Address Register)-Stores the address of current instructions that ae being carried out
   • ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)-Does all arithmetic and logic calculations
     • Accumulator-Stores the answers from the calculations done in the ALU

3. Embedded Systems

   • Systems made for one specific purpose
   • Usually in a bigger object

4. CPU & Fetch Decode Execute

   • Fetch-The data bus retrieves the data needed to do the instructions the CPU is doing
   • Decode-Processes the data into a language the computer understands
   • Execute-Carries out the instruction using the data it retrieved