Computer architecture

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/computer-architecture

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the architectural layers?Encompasses Instruction Set Architecture (ISA), microarchitecture, and system design
2. What is the performance optimization techniques?Includes pipelining, out-of-order execution, and multi-level cache hierarchies
3. What is the difference between ISA and microarchitecture?ISA is the set of instructions a programmer sees, while microarchitecture is the actual hardware that runs those instructions.
4. Why are GPUs good for graphics and science?GPUs have many small cores that can work at the same time, making them great for tasks that need lots of parallel work.

Instruction Set Architecture (ISA): Defines the programmer-visible interface to a processor, including instructions and data types.
Microarchitecture: The specific hardware implementation of an ISA, detailing pipeline stages and execution units.
Cache Memory: A small, fast memory used to store frequently accessed data, reducing latency to main memory.