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A Level Computer Science Paper 1: 1.1.2 Types of Processor

Architecture18 CardsCreated 12 days ago

This set of flashcards compares the Von Neumann and Harvard architectures, highlighting their structure, advantages, and key differences in memory usage and processing. It emphasizes Von Neumann's simplicity and shared memory, setting the stage for contrasting it with the Harvard model.

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Von Neumann Architecture

One memory for both instructions and data
Shared bus for instructions and data, slower as only one can be transferred at once
One ALU, control unit and set of registers

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Key Terms

Term
Definition

Von Neumann Architecture

One memory for both instructions and data
Shared bus for instructions and data, slower as only one can be transferred at once
One ALU, contro...

Von Neumann Advantages

Cheaper
Simpler - no software needed to understand
More efficient use of memory (one can’t be full up when one has lots of space)

Harvard Architecture

Separate memories and buses for instructions and data


Harvard Advantages

Can have different sized memory/words for each

Gets data and instruction in one clock cycle...

Contemporary Processor Architecture

Uses elements of both Von Neumann and Harvard architecture

Uses von Neumann when accessing ...

CISC

Complex Instruction Set Computers
Use a large instruction set to accomplish tasks in as few lines of assembly language as possible
Each instr...

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A Level Computer Science Paper 1: 1.1.2 Types of Processor
TermDefinition

Von Neumann Architecture

One memory for both instructions and data
Shared bus for instructions and data, slower as only one can be transferred at once
One ALU, control unit and set of registers

Von Neumann Advantages

Cheaper
Simpler - no software needed to understand
More efficient use of memory (one can’t be full up when one has lots of space)

Harvard Architecture

Separate memories and buses for instructions and data


Harvard Advantages

Can have different sized memory/words for each

Gets data and instruction in one clock cycle

Contemporary Processor Architecture

Uses elements of both Von Neumann and Harvard architecture

Uses von Neumann when accessing main memory but Harvard for cache

CISC

Complex Instruction Set Computers
Use a large instruction set to accomplish tasks in as few lines of assembly language as possible
Each instruction combines a load/store with the actual calculation
Often used in desktop computers

CISC advantages

+Easier to code- doesn’t need code to load and store
+Requires less RAM - reads and writes less often
+Less work for a compiler to translate

RISC

Reduced Instruction Set Computers
Uses a minimal number of very simple instructions, each take one clock cycle to complete
Often used in mobile phones - smaller/cooler

RISC advantages

+Acquire each instruction quickly
+Less instructions so smaller and cheaper
+Simpler hardware
+Lower energy consumption

Multi-core and parallel systems

Distribute workload across multiple processor cores- several tasks in parallel
Known as parallel systems
We have dual/quad core, supercomputers thousands
Needs software that allows for multiple cores to be used

Co-processor systems

An extra processor is added to supplement the main processor (CPU)
Usually has a limited range of specialised functions

GPU

Graphical Processing Unit
Very efficient at manipulating computer graphics - thousands of small cores
Used to accelerate functions

Parallel processing

When a computer carries out multiple operations at once

SIMD

Single instruction multiple data
One operation carried out on many pieces of data at once
Commonly used to improve multimedia performance

MIMD

Multiple instruction multiple data
Different instructions carried out on different pieces of data simultaneously
Well-known for use in supercomputers

Threading

Breaking a process down into threads of tasks that will be run on different processors


CISC disadvantages

  • Higher clock speed needed (overlocking risk)

  • Greater energy consumption

  • Larger, needs more silicon (more transistors)

RISC disadvantages

  • Fewer ways to address memory

- Uses more RAM