Computer Architecture MCQs

1. Question: Which of the following components is responsible for temporarily storing data and instructions that the CPU needs to access quickly?

A) Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
B) Random Access Memory (RAM)
C) Central Processing Unit (CPU)
D) Solid State Drive (SSD)

Answer: B) Random Access Memory (RAM)

2. Question: What is the purpose of the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) in a CPU?

A) To manage the flow of data between the CPU and memory
B) To perform mathematical and logical operations on data
C) To store frequently accessed data for quick retrieval
D) To control the overall operation of the computer system

Answer: B) To perform mathematical and logical operations on data

3. Question: Which of the following is NOT typically a function of the Control Unit (CU) in a CPU?

A) Fetching instructions from memory
B) Decoding instructions to determine what operation to perform
C) Performing arithmetic operations on data
D) Executing instructions in the correct sequence

Answer: C) Performing arithmetic operations on data

4. Question: What is the purpose of a cache memory in a computer system?

A) To permanently store data and programs
B) To provide additional storage space for the CPU
C) To temporarily store frequently accessed data and instructions
D) To manage the communication between different components of the computer

Answer: C) To temporarily store frequently accessed data and instructions

5. Question: Which computer architecture feature allows a CPU to execute multiple instruction streams concurrently?

A) SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data)
B) MIMD (Multiple Instruction, Multiple Data)
C) SISD (Single Instruction, Single Data)
D) MISD (Multiple Instruction, Single Data)

Answer: B) MIMD (Multiple Instruction, Multiple Data)

6. Question: Which of the following components is responsible for permanently storing data and programs even when the computer is turned off?

A) Cache memory
B) Random Access Memory (RAM)
C) Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
D) Optical Disk Drive (ODD)

Answer: C) Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

7. Question: The bus in a computer system is used for:

A) Storing data temporarily
B) Communicating between different components
C) Performing arithmetic operations
D) Executing program instructions

Answer: B) Communicating between different components

8. Question: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) architecture?

A) Large number of instructions
B) Few addressing modes
C) Simple instructions
D) Register-based operations

Answer: A) Large number of instructions

9. Question: What does the term “pipeline” refer to in computer architecture?

A) A series of steps through which data and instructions pass in a CPU
B) A storage device for long-term data retention
C) A network protocol for data transmission
D) A type of memory module used for high-speed data access

Answer: A) A series of steps through which data and instructions pass in a CPU

10. Question: Which of the following memory types has the fastest access speed?

A) Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
B) Solid State Drive (SSD)
C) Cache memory
D) Optical Disk Drive (ODD)

Answer: C) Cache memory

11. Question: What is the primary function of the motherboard in a computer system?

A) To provide power to all components
B) To house the CPU and memory modules
C) To connect and facilitate communication between all components
D) To store data permanently

Answer: C) To connect and facilitate communication between all components

12. Question: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of von Neumann architecture?

A) Separate memory and processing units
B) Use of stored-program concept
C) Instruction and data reside in the same memory
D) Parallel processing capabilities

Answer: D) Parallel processing capabilities

13. Question: What role does the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) play in a computer system?

A) It manages the interaction between the CPU and GPU
B) It initializes hardware components during startup
C) It controls the allocation of memory resources
D) It manages the file system on storage devices

Answer: B) It initializes hardware components during startup

14. Question: Which of the following is an example of a volatile memory?

A) Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
B) Flash memory
C) Random Access Memory (RAM)
D) Optical Disk Drive (ODD)

Answer: C) Random Access Memory (RAM)

15. Question: In a pipelined CPU architecture, which stage is responsible for fetching instructions from memory?

A) Decode
B) Execute
C) Fetch
D) Writeback

Answer: C) Fetch

16. Question: Which of the following is an advantage of parallel processing in computer architecture?

A) Increased complexity of software development
B) Reduced power consumption
C) Slower overall performance
D) Higher cost of hardware implementation

Answer: B) Reduced power consumption

17. Question: Which component is responsible for storing the firmware of a computer system?

A) CPU
B) GPU
C) SSD
D) BIOS/UEFI

Answer: D) BIOS/UEFI

18. Question: What is the purpose of the Address Bus in a computer system?

A) To carry data signals between CPU and memory
B) To transmit control signals between CPU and peripherals
C) To carry memory addresses for read and write operations
D) To manage interrupt requests from external devices

Answer: C) To carry memory addresses for read and write operations

19. Question: In a computer system, what does the term “bit-width” refer to?

A) The number of bits that can be processed by the CPU in a single instruction
B) The size of each memory address used by the CPU
C) The width of the data bus connecting CPU and memory
D) The number of bits that can be processed by the CPU in parallel

Answer: A) The number of bits that can be processed by the CPU in a single instruction

20. Question: Which type of memory is typically the smallest in size but also the fastest in terms of access speed?

A) Cache memory
B) RAM
C) Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
D) Optical Disk Drive (ODD)

Answer: A) Cache memory

21. Question: Which of the following is a characteristic of Harvard architecture?

A) Single memory space for data and instructions
B) Separate memory spaces for data and instructions
C) Use of a single bus for data and instructions
D) Limited instruction set

Answer: B) Separate memory spaces for data and instructions

22. Question: What is the purpose of the Floating Point Unit (FPU) in a CPU?

A) To perform arithmetic operations on integers
B) To handle floating-point arithmetic operations
C) To manage memory allocation
D) To control input/output operations

Answer: B) To handle floating-point arithmetic operations

23. Question: Which computer architecture feature allows multiple processors to work together on a single problem?

A) SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data)
B) MIMD (Multiple Instruction, Multiple Data)
C) SISD (Single Instruction, Single Data)
D) MISD (Multiple Instruction, Single Data)

Answer: B) MIMD (Multiple Instruction, Multiple Data)

24. Question: What is the role of the Northbridge chipset on a motherboard?

A) To handle communication between the CPU and RAM
B) To manage power distribution to various components
C) To control the input/output devices
D) To provide security features for data encryption

Answer: A) To handle communication between the CPU and RAM

25. Question: Which of the following memory types is non-volatile and used for long-term storage of data and programs?

A) Cache memory
B) RAM
C) SSD
D) Registers

Answer: C) SSD

26. Question: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a superscalar processor?

A) Ability to execute multiple instructions simultaneously
B) Support for out-of-order execution
C) Increased complexity of instruction set
D) Utilization of multiple execution units

Answer: C) Increased complexity of instruction set

27. Question: What is the primary function of the Cache Coherence Protocol in a multi-core processor system?

A) To maintain data consistency across different levels of cache
B) To manage power consumption in each core
C) To synchronize clock signals between cores
D) To allocate cache space efficiently

Answer: A) To maintain data consistency across different levels of cache

28. Question: Which of the following is an advantage of using a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configuration?

A) Decreased data redundancy
B) Increased data transfer rates
C) Reduced storage capacity
D) Limited fault tolerance

Answer: B) Increased data transfer rates

29. Question: What does the term “clock cycle” refer to in the context of CPU operation?

A) The speed at which data travels along the data bus
B) The frequency at which the CPU fetches and executes instructions
C) The size of each memory address used by the CPU
D) The number of cores in the CPU

Answer: B) The frequency at which the CPU fetches and executes instructions

30. Question: Which of the following technologies is used to improve the performance of memory access by predicting future memory accesses?

A) Cache memory
B) Virtual memory
C) Memory interleaving
D) Memory prefetching

Answer: D) Memory prefetching

31. Question: What is the function of the Interrupt Request (IRQ) line in a computer system?

A) To handle requests from external devices for CPU attention
B) To manage the flow of data between the CPU and memory
C) To control the execution of instructions in the CPU
D) To synchronize the clock signals between various components

Answer: A) To handle requests from external devices for CPU attention

32. Question: Which of the following describes a computer’s “bus” in architecture?

A) A storage device used for long-term data retention
B) A communication system that transfers data between components
C) A software application for managing system resources
D) A unit of measure for processing speed

Answer: B) A communication system that transfers data between components

33. Question: Which type of memory is typically used to store firmware and is not easily modified?

A) RAM
B) ROM
C) Cache memory
D) Flash memory

Answer: B) ROM

34. Question: Which of the following is a key advantage of using a solid-state drive (SSD) over a traditional hard disk drive (HDD)?

A) Higher storage capacity
B) Lower cost per gigabyte
C) Faster data access speeds
D) Greater durability

Answer: C) Faster data access speeds

35. Question: What is the primary role of the system’s Power Supply Unit (PSU)?

A) To manage the CPU’s clock speed
B) To convert electrical power from the wall outlet into usable power for the computer components
C) To handle data storage and retrieval operations
D) To manage network communications

Answer: B) To convert electrical power from the wall outlet into usable power for the computer components

36. Question: In computer architecture, what does the term “latency” refer to?

A) The time it takes for data to be written to storage
B) The time delay between initiating a request and receiving the response
C) The frequency at which the CPU performs calculations
D) The speed of the system clock

Answer: B) The time delay between initiating a request and receiving the response

37. Question: What is the purpose of a bus in a computer system?

A) To increase the processing power of the CPU
B) To enable communication between different components of the computer
C) To provide additional storage space
D) To manage the cooling system

Answer: B) To enable communication between different components of the computer

38. Question: Which of the following is an example of a volatile storage device?

A) Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
B) Flash Drive
C) Cache Memory
D) ROM

Answer: C) Cache Memory

39. Question: What does the acronym “BIOS” stand for?

A) Basic Integrated Operating System
B) Binary Input Output System
C) Basic Input Output System
D) Binary Integrated Operating System

Answer: C) Basic Input Output System

40. Question: In which type of memory is data typically lost when power is removed?

A) ROM
B) Flash memory
C) DRAM
D) Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Answer: C) DRAM

41. Question: Which of the following features is typical of CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing) architecture?

A) A small number of instructions
B) A large number of addressing modes
C) Simple instructions executed in one clock cycle
D) Use of microcode for instruction execution

Answer: D) Use of microcode for instruction execution

42. Question: What is the role of the memory management unit (MMU) in a computer system?

A) To manage the CPU’s cache memory
B) To handle data transfer between the CPU and storage devices
C) To translate virtual addresses to physical addresses
D) To control the system clock

Answer: C) To translate virtual addresses to physical addresses

43. Question: Which type of cache memory is closest to the CPU and typically the fastest?

A) Level 1 (L1) cache
B) Level 2 (L2) cache
C) Level 3 (L3) cache
D) Main memory

Answer: A) Level 1 (L1) cache

44. Question: What does the term “virtual memory” refer to in computer systems?

A) Memory that is physically located on a hard drive
B) An abstraction of physical memory provided by the operating system
C) Memory that is used only during system boot-up
D) A type of cache memory

Answer: B) An abstraction of physical memory provided by the operating system

45. Question: Which of the following best describes a “multi-core” processor?

A) A single CPU that can handle multiple tasks simultaneously
B) A single CPU divided into separate execution units
C) A CPU with multiple processing units on the same chip
D) A CPU that connects to multiple external processors

Answer: C) A CPU with multiple processing units on the same chip

46. Question: What is the purpose of the CPU’s instruction register?

A) To store the address of the next instruction to be executed
B) To hold the currently executing instruction
C) To manage data transfers between memory and CPU
D) To keep track of the program’s execution state

Answer: B) To hold the currently executing instruction

47. Question: In computer architecture, what is the function of an “interrupt”?

A) To pause the current instruction execution
B) To request the CPU’s attention for an urgent task
C) To initiate a memory cleanup process
D) To manage system power usage

Answer: B) To request the CPU’s attention for an urgent task

48. Question: Which of the following is a benefit of using pipelining in CPU design?

A) Increased instruction execution time
B) Enhanced sequential processing
C) Improved instruction throughput
D) Simplified CPU design

Answer: C) Improved instruction throughput

49. Question: Which of the following memory types is typically used to store data that needs to be accessed quickly but does not need to be retained when the computer is turned off?

A) ROM
B) Flash memory
C) DRAM
D) HDD

Answer: C) DRAM

50. Question: What does the term “overclocking” refer to in the context of CPU operation?

A) Running the CPU at a higher clock speed than its rated specification
B) Increasing the CPU’s cache size
C) Upgrading the CPU to a newer model
D) Reducing the CPU’s power consumption

Answer: A) Running the CPU at a higher clock speed than its rated specification

51. Question: Which of the following describes the purpose of the “fetch-decode-execute” cycle in a CPU?

A) To manage memory allocation and deallocation
B) To process instructions from memory and perform tasks
C) To handle input and output operations
D) To control the flow of data between different components

Answer: B) To process instructions from memory and perform tasks

52. Question: What does “DMA” stand for in computer architecture?

A) Direct Memory Access
B) Data Management Application
C) Dynamic Memory Allocation
D) Digital Media Adapter

Answer: A) Direct Memory Access

53. Question: What type of memory is used for quick access to frequently used data and instructions by the CPU?

A) Virtual memory
B) Secondary storage
C) Cache memory
D) ROM

Answer: C) Cache memory

54. Question: In a computer system, what does “bus width” refer to?

A) The amount of memory available to the CPU
B) The speed at which the CPU operates
C) The number of bits that can be transferred simultaneously on a bus
D) The size of the CPU’s instruction register

Answer: C) The number of bits that can be transferred simultaneously on a bus

55. Question: Which of the following is a characteristic of a “cache hit”?

A) The requested data is found in the cache memory
B) The requested data must be retrieved from the main memory
C) The cache memory is too full to store additional data
D) The CPU experiences a delay in accessing the requested data

Answer: A) The requested data is found in the cache memory

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