Computer Architecture Basic Questions for Interview

1.) What is Virtual Memory?

This Memory is used extending the capability of physical memory. This memory is simulated by the hard drive.When all the RAM is being used the computer will swap data to the hard drive and back to give the impression that there is more memory

2.) What are the five stages in a DLX pipeline?

Instruction Fetch Stage Instruction Decode Stage Instruction Execution Stage Memory Stage Write Back

3.) What is MESI?

MESI is a Cache Coherency protocol used in multi-processor systems to indicate the state in which the data in the cache of a particular processor is. It stands of Modified, Exclusive, Shared and Invalid

4.) What is cache memory?

Cache memory is random access memory (RAM) that a computer microprocessor can access more quickly than it can access regular RAM. As the microprocessor processes data, it looks first in the cache memory and if it finds the data there (from a previous reading of data), it does not have to do the more time-consuming reading of data from larger memory.(cache memory is used between the c.p.u and the ram to access dta fastly)

5.) What is hard disk and what is its purpose?

Hard disk is the secondary storage device, which holds the data in bulk, and it holds the data on the magnetic medium of the disk.Hard disks have a hard platter that holds the magnetic medium, the magnetic medium can be easily erased and rewritten, and a typical desktop machine will have a hard disk with a capacity of between 10 and 40 gigabytes. Data is stored onto the disk in the form of files.

6.) What’s the speed and device maximum specs for Firewire?

EEE 1394 (Firewire) supports the maximum of 63 connected devices with speeds up to 400 Mbps.

7.) What’s the difference between L1 and L2 cache?

Level 1 cache is internal to the chip, L2 is external. L1 Cache is of Higher speed than that of L2 Cache.

8.) What is the difference between primary & secondary storage device?

In primary storage device the storage capacity is limited. It has a volatile memory. In secondary storage device the storage capacity is larger. It is a nonvolatile memory. Primary devices are: RAM / ROM. Secondary devices are: Floppy disc / Hard disk.