1.1. ARCHITECTURE OF THE CPU
Basic Computer System Models
● Hardware: physical components that makes up a computer
● Software: any applications or programs that runs on a computer
Computer system examples: mobile phones, cash machines, supermarket
tills.
Basic model of computer system:
Input device examples: keyboard,
mouse, scanner, microphone, web
cam.
-> takes real world data and turns
it into a form which can be stored
on a computer.
Output device examples: monitor,
speaker, printer.
● CPU: it processes data and instructions, and controls the rest of the
computer systems.
● Memory (primary storage): holds instructions currently in use/being
executed, and data being used.
○ Located on motherboard
○ So data can be read from and written to very quickly
○ E.g. RAM, graphic card memory, cache memory
● Secondary storage: non-volatile , long-term storage. It is used to keep
programs and data indefinitely. Without secondary storage, all
programs and data would be lost the moment the computer is switched
off.
○ E.g. ROM, hard disk, CD, magnetic tape drives
Von Neumann architecture:
➔ Neumann developed the concept of the stored program computer
➔ Used the ideas of holding bot programs and data in memory
Basic Computer System Models
● Hardware: physical components that makes up a computer
● Software: any applications or programs that runs on a computer
Computer system examples: mobile phones, cash machines, supermarket
tills.
Basic model of computer system:
Input device examples: keyboard,
mouse, scanner, microphone, web
cam.
-> takes real world data and turns
it into a form which can be stored
on a computer.
Output device examples: monitor,
speaker, printer.
● CPU: it processes data and instructions, and controls the rest of the
computer systems.
● Memory (primary storage): holds instructions currently in use/being
executed, and data being used.
○ Located on motherboard
○ So data can be read from and written to very quickly
○ E.g. RAM, graphic card memory, cache memory
● Secondary storage: non-volatile , long-term storage. It is used to keep
programs and data indefinitely. Without secondary storage, all
programs and data would be lost the moment the computer is switched
off.
○ E.g. ROM, hard disk, CD, magnetic tape drives
Von Neumann architecture:
➔ Neumann developed the concept of the stored program computer
➔ Used the ideas of holding bot programs and data in memory
