What is the primary purpose of cache memory in a computer system?
A Store large files
B Manage data transfers
C Store frequently used data
D Control CPU operations
Cache memory stores frequently accessed data or instructions, allowing the CPU to quickly retrieve them. This reduces the time it takes to access data from slower memory, improving system performance.
Which of the following is the slowest memory type in the memory hierarchy?
A Registers
B RAM
C Cache memory
D Hard Drive
Hard drives are the slowest in the memory hierarchy, as they involve mechanical components and disk read/write operations, making them significantly slower than RAM, cache, and registers in accessing data.
What does the Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) define?
A Available machine instructions
B Memory size
C Processor clock speed
D Type of CPU components
The Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) defines the set of instructions that the processor can execute. It specifies the operation, format, and the addressing modes, directly influencing how software interacts with hardware.
Which of these is NOT a part of the memory hierarchy?
A RAM
B Cache
C Hard Drive
D ALU
The ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) is a CPU component responsible for performing calculations and logical operations, but it is not part of the memory hierarchy, which includes cache, RAM, and storage devices like hard drives.
In the context of memory, what does the term “hierarchy” refer to?
A The physical location of data
B The order of memory speeds
C Different types of processors
D The number of processors
Memory hierarchy refers to the arrangement of different memory types (e.g., cache, RAM, hard drive) in terms of speed and size. Faster memory is typically smaller and more expensive, while slower memory is larger and cheaper.
Which of the following is a characteristic of RISC processors?
A High memory usage
B Large instruction set
C Single instruction cycle
D Complex instructions
RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) processors use simple instructions that are designed to execute in a single cycle. This allows faster processing and efficient use of CPU resources, unlike CISC processors, which use complex instructions.
What is the main advantage of a multi-level cache memory?
A Faster access to data
B Reduced memory size
C Decreased CPU processing speed
D Increased storage capacity
Multi-level cache memory improves data access speed by storing copies of frequently used data in smaller, faster caches closer to the CPU. This reduces the latency of accessing data from slower levels of the memory hierarchy.
What does “pipelining” improve in CPU performance?
A Data transfer speed
B Instruction throughput
C Memory size
D Power consumption
Pipelining improves instruction throughput by overlapping the execution of multiple instructions. It breaks down instruction processing into stages, allowing the CPU to work on several instructions at once, thus increasing overall processing speed.
Which of the following is a characteristic of CISC architecture?
A Small instruction set
B Fast execution speed
C Complex instructions
D Large number of registers
CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing) architecture uses a large set of complex instructions that can perform multiple operations in one instruction. This contrasts with RISC, which uses a small set of simple instructions for faster execution.
In a system with virtual memory, what is used to map virtual addresses to physical addresses?
A Cache memory
B CPU registers
C Control Unit
D Memory Management Unit
The Memory Management Unit (MMU) maps virtual addresses used by programs to physical addresses in the computer’s memory. This allows the system to use virtual memory to run programs that require more memory than physically available.
What is the primary role of the ALU in a computer?
A Perform calculations
B Fetch instructions
C Store data
D Control data flow
The ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) performs all arithmetic and logical operations required by a program, such as addition, subtraction, AND, OR, and comparisons, making it essential for processing data in the CPU.
What is a characteristic of the Harvard architecture?
A Simple instruction set
B Single CPU core
C Separate memory for data and instructions
D Shared memory for data and instructions
In Harvard architecture, program instructions and data are stored in separate memory units. This allows simultaneous access to both, improving processing speed compared to Von Neumann architecture, which uses a single memory space.
What is the function of a bus in computer architecture?
A Execute program instructions
B Transfer data between components
C Perform arithmetic operations
D Store data temporarily
A bus is a communication pathway that transfers data, addresses, and control signals between the CPU, memory, and other peripheral devices. It facilitates the movement of data within the computer system.
Which of the following is used for handling high-priority tasks in a CPU?
A Interrupts
B ALU
C Control Unit
D Cache
Interrupts are used to temporarily pause the CPU’s current task and handle higher-priority tasks. Once the interrupt is serviced, the CPU returns to its previous task, improving the system’s responsiveness to urgent tasks.
What is the role of a register in the CPU?
A Store data permanently
B Execute instructions
C Temporarily hold data
D Control data flow
Registers are small, fast storage locations within the CPU that hold temporary data during instruction execution. They provide quick access to frequently used values during computation, making processing more efficient.