Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Computer Science: KS3, topic 3.1.2
Central Processing Units
All modern Central Processing Units (CPUs) are based on the Von Neumann architecture. The components of this architecture are:
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Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
- The ALU performs all of the arithmetic and logical operations of the CPU, including:
- Addition and subtraction, multiplication and division.
- Comparisons such as whether numbers are equal or if one is greater than another.
- Boolean operations such as AND, OR and NOT.
Control Unit (CU)
- Sends out control signals to other parts of the CPU.
- Executes program instructions by following the fetch-decode-execute cycle.
- Made up of two key parts:
- The clock - coordinates the CPU's activity.
- The decoder - decodes program instructions.
Registers and Cache
- Registers and cache are tiny amounts of super-quick memory within the CPU.
- Used to hold information needed for the CPU to work.
- Each register holds a specific piece of information.
Test yourself on Central Processing Unit (CPU)
This is the common architecture for what feature of computers?
Modern CPUs are based on the Von Neumann architecture. What does CPU stand for?
Which of the following are components of a central processing unit?