Unit 3: Hardware - Computer Architecture

Vocabulary flashcards covering Computer Architecture, including CPU functions, processing units, and internal registers.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The component of the computer used to process instructions and data, and to run the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

Microprocessor

A type of integrated circuit on a single chip.

Units

Essential components in a computer to perform specific tasks.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

Executes instructions, performs calculations and logical operations, and stores actual results of calculations.

Control Unit (CU)

Decodes the instructions and directs the relevant parts of the processor.

Registers

Temporarily stores data, instructions, addresses, and other immediate access to data during the FDE cycle.

Program Counter (PC)

Stores the address of the next instruction to be fetched and executed.

Memory Address Register (MAR)

Stores the address of the next instruction to be fetched from memory.

Memory Data Register (MDR)

Stores the data passed to or from the address in the MAR.

Current Instruction Register (CIR)

Stores the instruction currently being executed.

Accumulator (ACC)

Stores the result of each calculation.