5/24/24, 9:47 AM The CPU & Microprocessor | CIE IGCSE Computer Science Revision Notes 2023 | Save My Exams
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IGCSE Computer Science CIE Revision Notes 3. Hardware
3.1 Computer Architecture The CPU & Microprocessor
The CPU &
Microprocessor (CIE
IGCSE Computer Science)
Revision Note
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Amy Fellows Computer Science
The CPU & Microprocessor
What is the role of the central processing
unit (CPU) in a computer?
A computer system consists of hardware and software
The main hardware components of a computer system are
input devices, the central processing unit, primary
memory, secondary storage and output devices
Examples of input devices - keyboard, mouse, game
controller, sensors, microphone and webcam
Examples of output devices - monitor, phone screen,
speakers, printer, and motors
Data and commands are inputted by the user using an
input device, the central processing unit (CPU) processes
data by executing instructions and the results are
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5/24/24, 9:47 AM The CPU & Microprocessor | CIE IGCSE Computer Science Revision Notes 2023 | Save My Exams
outputted to an output device
A diagram showing the input, process, output sequence
followed by computer systems
Below is an example of data being inputted, processed
and the results being outputted
Step Example
Input A keyboard is used to input a
number
Process If the instruction being
executed is ADD, the inputted
value is added to an existing
value
Output The result of the calculation is
outputted to the user via the
monitor
What is a microprocessor?
A microprocessor is a type of integrated circuit on a
single chip
An integrated circuit is a small electronic circuit made up
of transistors, capacitors, resistors and other electronic
components
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5/24/24, 9:47 AM The CPU & Microprocessor | CIE IGCSE Computer Science Revision Notes 2023 | Save My Exams
The integrated circuit contains a central processor
designed to perform arithmetic and logic operations,
which include adding, subtracting, transferring numbers
from one memory location to another, and comparing two
numbers
The single chip also contains input/output interfaces, and
memory
Microprocessors are a compact way of processing data
and can be used in a wide range of electronic devices,
including general-purpose computer system and
Embedded system
Worked example
What is the purpose of a microprocessor?
A It is the brain of the computer
B It processes data
C It executes instructions
It is where data is stored
D
permanently
B or C [1]
The microprocessor is sometimes described as the
brain of the computer system but this is not an
acceptable exam answer. The purpose of a
microprocessor is to process data and execute
instructions
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