Central Processing Unit (CPU) Basics

Front

What is the function of the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)?

Back

The ALU is a digital circuit used to perform arithmetic and logic operations. It is a fundamental building block of the CPU.

Front

What role does the Control Unit (CU) play in a CPU?

Back

The Control Unit coordinates how data moves around a CPU. It directs the operation of the processor, telling the memory, ALU, and input/output devices how to respond to program instructions.

Front

What are registers in a CPU?

Back

Registers are small, quickly accessible storage locations within a CPU. They are used to load data for arithmetic operations and are manipulated or tested by machine instructions.

Front

What is cache memory and why is it important?

Back

Cache memory is a chip-based component that makes retrieving data from the computer's memory more efficient. It acts as a temporary storage area that is more readily available to the processor than the main memory, increasing efficiency.

Front

Describe the Fetch-Execute Cycle.

Back

The Fetch-Execute Cycle is the process by which a CPU executes programs. It involves fetching an instruction from memory, decoding it, executing it, and then repeating the cycle until a STOP instruction is reached.

Front

What is benchmarking in the context of CPUs?

Back

Benchmarking is a test used to assess the performance of a computer. Different types of benchmark software are used for different applications to evaluate how well a CPU performs specific tasks.

Front

What are CPU cores and how do they affect performance?

Back

A CPU can have multiple cores, each containing an ALU, control unit, and registers. More cores allow a CPU to run multiple programs simultaneously, but communication between cores can affect speed.

Front

What does clock speed indicate in a CPU?

Back

Clock speed, measured in MHz or GHz, indicates how fast a CPU can run. It corresponds to how many instruction cycles the CPU can handle in a second. A higher clock speed means a faster CPU, but it also uses more energy and generates more heat.