Tan, Zandriex Rae

BSCE 1 – CMPE 20012

Computer Fundamentals and Programming

Module 3: ACTIVITIES/ASSESSMENT
Activity 3.2 – Define or describe the following using your own words and understanding.

1. Explain why the computer is a system.

a. A system is made up of pieces that each execute a distinct, well-defined function.
The pieces of a system can always be easily identified, and these pieces are
interchangeable (as long as they perform the same job, it doesn't matter how they
operate inside). A computer, for example, has a CPU, memory, bus controller,
peripheral devices, and so on. Each has a defined purpose, and each may be
replaced by a component with the same specifications (though from a different
manufacturer, and possibly performing quite differently “under the hood”).
2. What are the different categories of computer hardware? Provide 3 examples for each.
a. Input Devices
i. Mouse
ii. Joystick
iii. Microphone
b. Output Devices
i. Monitor
ii. Speakers
iii. Ethernet cables
c. Processing Devices
i. Central Processing Unit
ii. Motherboard
iii. Graphics Processing Unit
d. Storage Devices
i. DRAM
ii. SRAM
iii. ROM
3. Differentiate RAM and ROM. List at least 3 characteristics for each memory.
a. RAM is volatile memory, which means that when you restart or shut down your
computer, the information temporarily held in the module is deleted. Because the
data is stored electrically on transistors, it vanishes when there is no electric
current. When you request a file or piece of information, it is either fetched from
the computer's hard drive or from the internet. Because the information is saved in
RAM, it is instantaneously available when you transition from one application or
page to another. The memory is wiped when the machine is turned off until the
process is restarted. Users can quickly update, update, or extend volatile memory.
Otherwise, Non-volatile memory (ROM) is information that is permanently stored
on a chip. The memory does not rely on an electric current to preserve data;
instead, binary code is used to write data to individual cells. Non-volatile memory
is used for elements of the computer that do not change, such as the software's
initial boot-up phase or the firmware instructions that allow your printer to
 function. The ROM is unaffected by turning off the machine. Users are unable to
alter non-volatile memory.
4. What is the fastest CPU that we have today? Provide specifications and details.
a. AMD Ryzen 9 5950X DirectX 12.00
i. The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is a high-end 16-core, hyper threaded (SMT)
Vermeer Series desktop processor. With 32 threads, the new flagship
offers as many threads as the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X. Introduced on
October 8, 2020, the Ryzen 9 5950X is the fastest 16-core processor and is
specified at 105 watts TDP.
The Ryzen 9 5950X clocks at 3.4 GHz base clock rate and reaches
up to 4.9 GHz in turbo mode on a single core. However, when all 16 cores
are loaded, up to 4.5 GHz is still possible.
The performance of the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is consistently very
high in all applications and has been significantly improved over the AMD
Ryzen 9 3950X. AMD was able to improve especially the single thread
performance and even beats the Intel Core i9-10900K in this discipline.
The multi-thread performance is excellent due to the 16 cores.
The internal structure of the processor has not changed
fundamentally at first glance. The CCX structure has changed a bit
compared to Zen2, because now a CCX consists of up to 8 CPU cores. So
each individual core can access the complete L3 cache (32 MByte).
Furthermore the CCX modules are connected to each other via the same
I/O die, which we already know from Zen2. According to AMD, the
Infinity fabric should now reach clock rates of up to 2 Ghz, which in turn
allows a RAM clock of 4,000 MHz without performance loss.
For the manufacturing processes, AMD also relies on TSCM for
the Vermeer processors for the 7nm production of the CPU cores,
although the I/O die is still supplied in 12nm by Global foundries. 
In gaming, the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is consistently impressive
thanks to the significantly improved IPC, and easily outperforms the AMD
Ryzen 9 5900X. The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is the perfect CPU for content
creators, because in addition to gaming, the new flagship also masters
simultaneous streaming. However, if you only want to play games, you are
well advised to take a closer look at the cheaper AMD Ryzen 7 5800X or
the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X.
5. Explain the different tasks of the Arithmetic Logic Unit and Control Unit.
a. Difference between ALU and CU is that arithmetic logic unit is another
component of the processor which performs arithmetic, comparison, and other
operations. While control unit is the component of the processor that directs and
coordinates most of the operations in the computer.
i. ALU - The arithmetic logic unit (ALU), another component of the
processor, performs arithmetic, comparison, and other operations.
Arithmetic operations include basic calculations such as addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division. Comparison operations involve
comparing one data item with another to determine whether the first item
 is greater than, equal to, or less than the other item. Depending on the
result of the comparison, different actions may occur.

ii. CU - The control unit is the component of the processor that directs and
coordinates most of the operations in the computer. The control unit has a
role much like a traffic cop: it interprets each instruction issued by a
program and then initiates the appropriate action to carry out the
instruction. Types of internal components that the control unit directs
include the arithmetic/logic unit and buses.