section 5-2 Microprocessor and Memory资料.pptVIP

* Chapter 5 Computer Section 2 Microprocessor and Memory Text New Words and Expressions Exercises End Addition or Omission of Chinese words Section 2 Microprocessor and Memory Microprocessor A microprocessor (sometimes simply referred to as a processor) is an integrated circuit designed to process instructions. It is the most important component of a computer, and usually the most expensive single component, containing as 50 million miniaturized electronic components. The miniaturized circuitry in a microprocessor is grouped into important functional areas, such as the ALU and the control unit. Section 2 Microprocessor and Memory The ALU (arithmetic logic unit) performs arithmetic operations, such as addition and subtraction. It also performs logical operations, such as comparing two numbers to see if they are the same. The ALU uses registers to hold data that is being processed. The microprocessors control unit fetches each instruction. The computer loads data into the ALUs registers. Finally, the control unit gives the ALU the green light to begin processing. Section 2 Microprocessor and Memory The performance of a microprocessor is affected by several factors, including clock speed, word size, cache size, instruction set, and processing techniques. The speed specifications that you see in a computer ad indicate the speed of the microprocessor clock—a timing device that sets the pace for executing instructions. Most computer ads specify the speed of a microprocessor in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). Megahertz means a million cycles per second. Gigahertz means a billion cycles per second. Section 2 Microprocessor and Memory A cycle is the smallest unit of time in a microprocessors universe. Every action that a processor performs is measured by these cycles. It is important, however, to understand that the clock speed is not equal to the number of instructions that a processor can execute in one second. In many computers, som