Name: Linus Victory Chiedozie
Department: Statistics
Reg No: 2025/292164
1. Between Register and Cache memory, which one is bigger and why?
Cache memory is bigger than registers.
Registers are very small memory locations located inside the CPU (processor). They
store only the data or instructions that the processor is currently working on. Because
they operate at the same speed as the CPU, they are designed to be extremely small
but very fast.
Cache memory, on the other hand, is slightly larger and stores frequently used data and
instructions so that the CPU can access them faster than retrieving them from RAM.
Because it must store more temporary information, cache memory is larger than
registers.
Summary:
Registers → smallest and fastest memory
Cache memory → larger than registers but still very fast
2. How does a computer system convert input data to binary?
A computer system converts input data into binary through electronic signal processing
and encoding.
When a user provides input through devices such as a keyboard, mouse, or
microphone, the device first converts the physical action into electrical signals. These
signals are then sent to the computer’s input interface.
The system then encodes these signals into binary digits (0s and 1s) because
computers operate using two electrical states:
ON (1)
OFF (0)
For example:
Pressing a keyboard key is translated into a binary code using a character
encoding system such as ASCII.
Images are converted into pixels represented in binary form.
Sound is converted into digital samples stored in binary.
This binary form allows the CPU to process, store, and transmit the data.
3. How does an interface work with output devices?
An interface acts as a communication bridge between the computer system and output
devices such as monitors, printers, and speakers.
After the CPU processes information, the result is still in binary form. The interface
performs the following functions:
Data transfer: It sends the processed data from the computer to the output
device.
Signal conversion: It converts binary signals into a format the output device can
interpret.
Control coordination: It ensures the device receives instructions at the correct
time.
For example, when displaying information on a monitor, the interface converts binary
data into visual signals that create text or images on the screen.
4. Between Register and RAM which one is closest to the processor and how?
Registers are closest to the processor.
Registers are located inside the CPU itself, which means the processor can access
them instantly. RAM (Random Access Memory) is located outside the CPU on the
motherboard, so the processor must use buses to access it.
Because registers are inside the CPU, they provide the fastest possible data access
during processing.
5. Between RAM and ROM which one is more volatile?
RAM is more volatile than ROM.
Volatile memory means that the stored data is lost when power is turned off.
RAM (Random Access Memory) loses its data when the computer shuts down.
ROM (Read Only Memory) keeps its data even when the power is turned off.
Therefore, RAM is considered volatile while ROM is non-volatile.
6. Write and explain the main types of ROM
1. PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory)
PROM is a type of ROM that can be programmed only once after it is manufactured.
Once data is written to it, it cannot be changed.
2. EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory)
EPROM can be erased and reprogrammed using ultraviolet light. After erasing, new
data can be written to it again.
3. EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory)
EEPROM can be erased and rewritten electrically without removing it from the
computer. It allows data to be updated more easily than EPROM.
7. Differentiate between Flash Drive and USB Drive
Flash drive and USB drive are often used interchangeably, but technically:
Flash Drive
USB Drive
A storage device that uses flash memory
to store data
A device that connects through the USB
port
Used for storing and transferring files
The USB interface is the connection
technology
USB can also connect keyboards,
printers, etc.
Portable storage device
In practice, most people refer to the same device as a USB flash drive.
8. A Word contains how many bits?
A word typically contains 16 bits, 32 bits, or 64 bits, depending on the computer
architecture.
For many basic computer systems, a word is commonly defined as 16 bits or 32 bits.
9. Show how to convert Kilobytes to Megabytes
1 Megabyte (MB) = 1024 Kilobytes (KB)
Example conversion:
2048 KB ÷ 1024 = 2 MB
Therefore:
Kilobytes ÷ 1024 = Megabytes
10. Show how to convert Kilobytes to Bytes
1 Kilobyte (KB) = 1024 Bytes
Example:
5 KB = 5 × 1024
= 5120 Bytes
Formula:
Kilobytes × 1024 = Bytes
11. Show how to convert Gigabytes to Megabytes
1 Gigabyte (GB) = 1024 Megabytes (MB)
Example:
3 GB = 3 × 1024
= 3072 MB
Formula:
Gigabytes × 1024 = Megabytes
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