Computing 1.1.1

1. Used to connect the various components in the CPU and also to RAM. Used to send control signals to co-ordinate the timing/workings of the CPU and also to tell RAM whether a read/write operation is needed. (7, 3)
5. A small, fixed width piece of memory inside the CPU. Usually between 16-128 bits wide. Registers are used to hold data or instructions as they are being worked on. Registers can also be used to represent the status of various CPU components. (8)
7. Used to connect the CPU and RAM so that addresses which need to be read from or written to can be sent to the memory controller. (7, 3)
8. Used to hold the data which ahs just been fetched from RAM or is about to be written to RAM (6, 4, 8)
9. The purpose of the CPU – the Fetch, Decode, Execute cycle. Happens continuously whilst power is on. The number of FDE cycles per second is called the “clock speed” and is measured in Ghz (Gigahertz) (3, 5)

2. A register used to hold the address of the next instruction to be executed. It is possible to switch tasks that the CPU is carrying out by changing the address held in the PC (7, 7)
3. Used to coordinate the actions of the CPU during the FDE cycle. Sends signals down the control bus to components. (7, 4)
4. A general purpose register, usually used to hold the result of the last calculation or instruction carried out (11)
6. The connection between the CPU and RAM – literally a collection of wires. Used to send data between CPU and RAM (4, 3)
10. A core is a discrete processing unit inside a CPU – The more cores a CPU has, the more instructions can be executed simultaneously. Has a direct impact on the multitasking ability of a CPU (11, 5)

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