Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science
3.1Computer architecture
Computer architecture in Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science: what the syllabus expects you to know, the learning objectives and how to practise.
Subtopic50 practice questions3 lessons
Learning objectives
What the syllabus expects you to be able to do.
- 3.1.1aExplain the role of the CPU.
- 3.1.1bExplain what a microprocessor is.
- 3.1.2aExplain the purpose of the units, registers and buses of a Von Neumann CPU.
- 3.1.2bDescribe the fetch-decode-execute cycle and the part each component plays.
- 3.1.3Explain how cores, cache and the clock affect CPU performance.
- 3.1.4Explain the purpose of an instruction set.
- 3.1.5Describe embedded systems and identify devices that use them.
Lessons
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Embedded systems
25 min
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The central processing unit (CPU)
25 min
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Von Neumann architecture and the fetch-decode-execute cycle
40 min
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Sample question
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