How the CPU Interacts with Memory and Storage
During Data Processing
1. Fetching Instructions and Data: - The CPU executes programs stored in memory. - It fetches
instructions from RAM (main memory) into its Control Unit (CU). - If data required for processing is
in RAM, the CPU fetches it through the system bus (address bus, data bus, control bus). 2.
Processing in the CPU: - The Control Unit (CU) decodes the instruction. - The Arithmetic Logic Unit
(ALU) or Floating-Point Unit (FPU) performs calculations or logical operations on the data. -
Intermediate results may be stored temporarily in CPU registers (very fast, small storage inside the
CPU). 3. Using Memory Hierarchy: - If data is not in registers, the CPU looks in cache memory (L1,
L2, L3). - Cache is faster than RAM and stores frequently used data/instructions. - If it’s not in
cache (a cache miss), the CPU requests it from RAM. - If RAM doesn’t have it (for example, when
loading a file), it comes from secondary storage (SSD/HDD). 4. Interaction with Storage: - RAM ↔
Storage (SSD/HDD): When a program or file is needed, the OS loads it from storage into RAM. -
The CPU cannot directly access the SSD/HDD; it instructs the I/O controller and the operating
system to handle data transfers. - Once the required data is in RAM, the CPU can process it
quickly. 5. Storing Results: - After processing, results may be: - Sent back to RAM for temporary
use. - Written to storage (HDD/SSD) for long-term saving. - Sent to an output device (like the
monitor or printer) via output controllers. Summary: The CPU works at the center of data
processing. It fetches instructions and data from RAM, uses registers and cache for speed, and
relies on storage (SSD/HDD) for permanent data. RAM acts as the bridge between the ultra-fast
CPU and the slower storage devices.
