CPU's (3.4)

These flashcards cover key concepts related to CPU architecture, functionalities, performance metrics, and relevant terminologies based on the lecture notes.

Fetch

The operation where the control unit retrieves the next instruction in sequence from system memory to the pipeline.

Decode

The operation where the control unit interprets each instruction and either executes it or sends it to the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) or Floating Point Unit (FPU) for execution.

Execute

The operation where the ALU or FPU actually carries out the instruction.

Write-back

The operation where the result of the executed instruction is saved back to a register, cache, or system memory.

RISC

Reduced Instruction Set Computing, which utilizes a small set of optimized instructions for faster execution, often used in mobile devices. ARM CPUs

CISC

Complex Instruction Set Computing, which employs a larger set of instructions for more complex processing tasks, suitable for general-purpose usage. x86 CPUs

Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT)

A technology allowing a single core to manage multiple threads, enhancing performance in multithreaded applications.

Land Grid Array (LGA)

An Intel CPU socket type where pins are located on the motherboard, used in newer Intel processors.

Pin Grid Array (PGA)

An AMD CPU socket type where pins are located on the CPU itself, used in most AMD processors.

Intel Xeon

A family of Intel server-class CPUs designed for high-performance computing and data center operations.

AMD EPYC

AMD's server-class processors aimed at scalable performance for data centers.

x86 architecture

A 32-bit or 64-bit architecture for CPUs developed by Intel and AMD, mainly used in personal computers. High performance, high power requirements

x64 architecture

The 64-bit extension of the x86 architecture, hardware-based virtualization technologies and Data Execution Prevention (DEP)

Thermal paste

A substance applied between the CPU and its cooler to enhance heat transfer and prevent overheating.

Hyper-Threading

Intel's implementation of simultaneous multithreading, allowing a single core to handle multiple threads.

SMP (Symmetric Multiprocessing)

A system architecture that allows multiple CPUs to operate in parallel on tasks.

Cache

A small, high-speed memory within the CPU that stores frequently accessed data to reduce access time.

Virtualization

A technology that allows multiple operating systems to run on a single machine, often requiring advanced CPU features.

ARM architecture

A CPU architecture known for its power efficiency and used in many mobile devices, implementing a RISC approach.

Driver

Software that allows the operating system to communicate with hardware components.

Mulit-core

A CPU design that combines two or more independent cores into a single processor, enabling improved performance and multitasking capabilities.

System On Chip (SOC)

An integrated circuit that combines various components of a computer or other electronic system onto a single chip, including the CPU, memory, and input/output interfaces. Used on ARM CPUs

Firmware

Software programmed into hardware that provides low-level control.