Topic 2a
Computer Architecture
The CPU and Mass Storage

Learning Objectives

By the end of this topic students should be able to:

• Define the purpose of the [ ALU | Control Unit | registers | program counter | instruction register] and the role it plays in the CPU.
  • Talk through Figure 2.1
• Explain how general-purpose registers, main memory, and secondary memory (mass storage) work together and their role in fetching/storing data.
  • As part of this, explain the differences between mass storage, main memory, and general-purpose registers.
• Identify and/or explain the following vocabulary related to Mass Storage
  • Magnetic Storage
    • magnetic disks (aka HDD)
    • track
    • cylinder
    • seek time
    • rotational delay
    • transfer rate
  • Optical Storage (aka, Compact Disks, DVDs, and Blue-ray)
  • Flash Storage (aka, Flash drives, Solid State Drives (SSD), SD cards)
• Explain why we still have three broad classes of secondary/mass storage
• Consider which media type is more appropriate for a particular scenario

Learning Materials

• Readings
• Section 2.1, pp 96-101 in your book
• Sections 1.2-1.3 (pp 34-43) [Yes, this is repetition and regression back to chapter 1. But we feel this material fits better here than it did with the main outcomes from chapter 1.]
• Videos
  • Dr. Diesburg introduces the basics of Computer Architecture
  • An outside produced video on how hard drives work.

 

Checking for Understanding

Answer the following questions from your textbook. The answers to all Q&E questions are in the back of your book in Appendix F.

• p 101, #1
• p 101, #2
• p 101, #3
• Main Memory and Mass Storage Activity

Additional Guidance

The answers to the CFU questions above are provided in the back of the book. We do not feel that additional video explanations are helpful for these questions. However, if you are still confused or have additional questions, please feel free to reach out to us.

• Written answers to the CFU activity
• Video answers to the CFU activity