MODERN COMPUTER ARCHITECTURES SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF DIFFERENT COMPONENTS

Modern Computer Architectures Solve the Problem of Different Components

Abstract

The heart and core of this paper is to identify that in which ways do modern computer architectures solve the problem of different components (such as memory, input/output, processors, graphics cards) operating at different speeds? The paper will start with the discussion in brief of the computer architecture and different elements of computer architecture. In the end this paper will provide conclusion based on finding of the ways in which modern architecture increase the performance of the over all computing architecture.

Table of Content

ABSTRACT2

INTRODUCTION4

DISCUSSION5

RESULTS11

CONCLUSION19

REFERENCES22

Computer Architecture

Introduction

A computer system comprises of a processor, memory, and I/O devices. I/O is used for interfacing with the external world, while memory is the processor's internal world. Processor is the core in this picture and is responsible for performing operations. The operation of a computer can be fairly described with processor and memory only. I/O will be discussed in a later part of the course. Now the whole working of the computer is performing an operation by the processor on data, which resides in memory. (Federal Reserve System, 2004, 65-78)

The scenario that the processor executes operations and the memory contains data elements requires a mechanism for the processor to read that data from the memory. "That data" in the previous sentence much be rigorously explained to the memory which is a dumb device. Just like a postman, who must be told the precise address on the letter, to inform him where the destination is located. Another significant point is that if we only want to read the data and not write it, then there must be a mechanism to inform the memory that we are interested in reading data and not writing it. Key points in the above discussion are: (Federal Reserve System, 2004, 65-78)

There must be a mechanism to inform memory that we want to do the read operation

There must be a mechanism to inform memory that we want to read precisely which element

There must be a mechanism to transfer that data element from memory to processor

The group of bits that the processor uses to inform the memory about which element to read or write is collectively known as the address bus. Another important bus called the data bus is used to move the data from the memory to the processor in a read operation and from the processor to the memory in a write operation. The third group consists of miscellaneous independent lines used for control purposes. For example, one line of the bus is used to inform the memory about whether to do the read operation or the write operation. These lines are collectively known as the control bus. (Federal Reserve System, 2004, 65-78)

Discussion

These three buses are the eyes, nose, and ears of the processor. It uses them in a synchronized manner to perform a meaningful operation. Although the programmer specifies the meaningful operation, but to fulfill it the processor needs the collaboration of other units and ...