OCR A Level Computing CPU
CPU - answer The Central Processing Unit fetches, decodes and executes instructions.
It is the brain of the computer.
hertz - answer A scientific measure of a single wave. This is used to count the
fluctuations in the CPU quartz timer. In each fluctuation (beat) the computer performs
one fetch, decode or execute.
cache - answer Cache memory is used to speed up processing of data. It is faster than
the main memory. Ram cache is used to store data that is frequently needed by the
CPU
multi core - answer When A CPU has multiple processors within the CPU. They can
work simultaneously and can perform multiple tasks
clock speed - answer measured in hertz (Hz). The CPU clock speed defines the
frequency of the fetch, decode, execute cycle. The faster the cycle, the more processing
can be achieved over a given period.
ALU - answerPart of the CPU that performs mathematical and logical compuations.
registers - answerStorage locations in the CPU (even faster than cache and RAM)
program counter - answerA register that contains the memory address of the next
instruction to execute (depending on what part of the fetch decode execute cycle it is
in).
bus - answera wire(s) communication system inside a computer for transferring data
between components inside a computer.
control unit - answerA component of the CPU, it manages the execution of instructions.
MAR - answerHolds the location of the memory that needs to be accessed, and whether
it is to be read from or written to
MDR - answerHolds data read from, or ready to be written to memory
CIR - answerUsed to hold a copy of the instruction that is currently being executed
Accumulator - answerHolds the results of the calculations performed by the Arithmetic
Logic Unit (ALU)
CPU - answer The Central Processing Unit fetches, decodes and executes instructions.
It is the brain of the computer.
hertz - answer A scientific measure of a single wave. This is used to count the
fluctuations in the CPU quartz timer. In each fluctuation (beat) the computer performs
one fetch, decode or execute.
cache - answer Cache memory is used to speed up processing of data. It is faster than
the main memory. Ram cache is used to store data that is frequently needed by the
CPU
multi core - answer When A CPU has multiple processors within the CPU. They can
work simultaneously and can perform multiple tasks
clock speed - answer measured in hertz (Hz). The CPU clock speed defines the
frequency of the fetch, decode, execute cycle. The faster the cycle, the more processing
can be achieved over a given period.
ALU - answerPart of the CPU that performs mathematical and logical compuations.
registers - answerStorage locations in the CPU (even faster than cache and RAM)
program counter - answerA register that contains the memory address of the next
instruction to execute (depending on what part of the fetch decode execute cycle it is
in).
bus - answera wire(s) communication system inside a computer for transferring data
between components inside a computer.
control unit - answerA component of the CPU, it manages the execution of instructions.
MAR - answerHolds the location of the memory that needs to be accessed, and whether
it is to be read from or written to
MDR - answerHolds data read from, or ready to be written to memory
CIR - answerUsed to hold a copy of the instruction that is currently being executed
Accumulator - answerHolds the results of the calculations performed by the Arithmetic
Logic Unit (ALU)
