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Computing Hardware - CPU and Memory
- Processing
- Computers require
an input hardware,
processing
hardware and
output hardware.
- CPU
- executes programs
using the
fetch-decode-execute
cycle
- Memory
- Stores program
operations and data
while the program is
being executed.
Types: Registers,
cache, RAM, ROM and
Virtual Memory
- Stores program
operations and data
while the program is
being executed.
Types: Registers,
cache, RAM, ROM and
Virtual Memory
- Storage
- Stores
programs and
files long term,
even when not
in use. Types
include: USB,
SD Cards,
Hard-Drives
and SSDs
- Stores
programs and
files long term,
even when not
in use. Types
include: USB,
SD Cards,
Hard-Drives
and SSDs
- executes programs
using the
fetch-decode-execute
cycle
- Graphics
- Most computers have
a separate GPU and
CPU
- Using the GPU to render
images, frees up the CPU for
other tasks
- Most computers have
a separate GPU and
CPU
- Performance
- Benchmarking
- A test used to access
the performance of a
computer. Different
types of software are
used depending on the
computers purpose.
- A test used to access
the performance of a
computer. Different
types of software are
used depending on the
computers purpose.
- CPU speed (cycles per second) measured in Hertz
- GHz
- MHz
- KHz
- Hz
- GHz
- Benchmarking
- Computers require
an input hardware,
processing
hardware and
output hardware.
- CPU and Memory
- Factors that affect performance
- Cores
- CPU can contain one or
more processing units
(cores). A core contains a
ALU, Control Unit and
Registers.
- Cores communicate
through channels
therefore doubling cores
does not double speed
- CPU can contain one or
more processing units
(cores). A core contains a
ALU, Control Unit and
Registers.
- Clock Speed
- The clock speed - also known as clock
rate - indicates how fast the CPU can
run. This is measured in megahertz
(mHz) or gigahertz (gHz) and
corresponds with how many
instruction cycles the CPU can deal
with in a second.
- The clock speed - also known as clock
rate - indicates how fast the CPU can
run. This is measured in megahertz
(mHz) or gigahertz (gHz) and
corresponds with how many
instruction cycles the CPU can deal
with in a second.
- Cache Size
- Cache is a small amount of
memory which is a part of
the CPU - closer to the CPU
than RAM. It is used to
temporarily hold
instructions and data that
the CPU is likely to reuse.
- The CPU control unit
checks the cache for
instructions before the
RAM.
- Larger the Cache = the
more data can be stored
closer to the CPU
- L! - part of the
CPU chip, smallest
and fastest to
access (between
8KB and 64KB
- L2/3 - larger, extra
cache built between
the CPU and RAM.
More L2/3 = faster a
computer can run
- L! - part of the
CPU chip, smallest
and fastest to
access (between
8KB and 64KB
- Cache is a small amount of
memory which is a part of
the CPU - closer to the CPU
than RAM. It is used to
temporarily hold
instructions and data that
the CPU is likely to reuse.
- Processor Type
- CISC
- Complex Instruction Set Computing
- Used by most
laptops/desktops - made by
Intel/AMD
- Complex Instruction Set Computing
- RISC
- Reduced
Instruction Set
Computing
- Used in tablets/smartphones
- Reduced
Instruction Set
Computing
- Differences
- RISC have less
instructions. RISC
more efficient at
simpler tasks
- Physical Size -
CISC are larger
and require
more silicon
- Speed - RISC
run at a lower
clock speed
- Energy Consumption - CISC
are larger and therefore
use more energy
- Design - RISC combines
architecture onto one chip
(SOC), whereas CISC are
built seperatly a system
with heat sinks and fans
- RISC do not.
- Cost - RISC use less
power and are
cheaper to make
- RISC have less
instructions. RISC
more efficient at
simpler tasks
- CISC
- Cores
- Factors that affect performance
- Bridges
- Bridges manage how data and
instructions are transferred between
devices
- Bridges manage how data and
instructions are transferred between
devices
- Memory
- Memory is the area where the
computer stores or remembers data.
Memory provides the CPU with its
instructions. AKA Primary Storage
- Closer to CPU = quicker the CPU can access instructions
- Closer to CPU = quicker the CPU can access instructions
- VOLATILE
- Only stores information to run programs
while the PC is on. Reset when the PC is
turned off. Requires electricity to store data
using transistors and capacitors
- Only stores information to run programs
while the PC is on. Reset when the PC is
turned off. Requires electricity to store data
using transistors and capacitors
- NON-VOLITILE
- Retains data even when the computer is off.
Examples in old computers: paper, punched tape
and floppy disks
- Retains data even when the computer is off.
Examples in old computers: paper, punched tape
and floppy disks
- Latency is the time
for components to
respond to a request
- Memory is the area where the
computer stores or remembers data.
Memory provides the CPU with its
instructions. AKA Primary Storage
