Functions and Characteristics of CPU

Which of the following is NOT a factor that directly affects CPU performance?

• Cores

• Cache size

• Processor type

• Hard drive capacity

Answer explanation

The hard drive capacity does not directly influence CPU performance. Factors like cores, cache size, and processor type do.

Match the components of a CPU to their functions.

• • Data Bus

• • Temporarily store frequently used data.

• Cache

• • Determine memory locations.

• Core

• • Transmit instructions and data between components.

• • Address Bus

• • Fetch and execute instructions.

Answer explanation

Core fetches and executes instructions, Cache temporarily stores data, the Data Bus transmits information, and the Address Bus determines memory locations.

What is the most likely outcome of increasing a CPU’s clock rate beyond its limit?

• Data corruption

• Overheating

• Increased efficiency

• Data corruption and Overheating

Answer explanation

Both data corruption and overheating can occur when clock rates exceed the CPU’s designed limits.

Arrange the stages of the fetch-decode-execute cycle in the reverse order.

• Decode

• Execute

• Fetch

Answer explanation

The CPU fetches the instruction first, decodes it to understand it, and then executes the instruction.

Have you learnt from your mistake in the last quiz?

Drag and drop the components into their respective categories.

Groups:

(a) Memory

,

(b) Storage

• SSD

• RAM

• Virtual memory

• Cache

• HDD

Answer explanation

RAM, Cache, and Virtual Memory fall under Memory, while Hard Drive is categorized under Storage.

Explain the role of pipelining in CPU performance and mention one of its limitations.

Answer explanation

Pipelining improves performance by overlapping instruction stages but suffers in scenarios involving branching, causing the pipeline to reset.

A CPU has a data bus width of 16 bits. How many values can be transmitted at once?

Mathematical Equivalence

ON

Answer explanation

A 16-bit data bus can hold values ranging from 0 to 65535, allowing 65536 different values to be transmitted.

Categorise the following into either Embedded or General-purpose systems.

Groups:

(a) Embedded

,

(b) General-Purpose

• Washing Machine Controller

• Desktop PC

• Gaming Laptop

• Smartwatch

Answer explanation

Smartwatch and Washing Machine Controller are Embedded systems, while Desktop PC and Gaming Laptop are General-purpose systems.

The three levels of cache in a CPU are L1, L2, and _.

Answer explanation

The third level of cache is L3, which is shared between multiple cores.

Label the following diagram of a CPU’s cache system with the appropriate levels of cache (L1, L2, L3).

a

b

c

L3

L1

L2

Answer explanation

L1 and L2 caches are tied to individual cores, while L3 cache is shared between cores.