Instructions:
- Answer all questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided.
- The number of marks available is shown in brackets for each question.
- Suggested time: 30 minutes.
1 CPU Performance[3 marks]
Give three characteristics of a CPU that can affect its performance.
2 Clock Speed[3 marks]
The specification of two computers is shown below.
Computer XClock speed: 3.2 GHz
Cores: 2
Cache: 4 MB
Computer YClock speed: 1.6 GHz
Cores: 2
Cache: 4 MB
(a) Explain why Computer X is likely to run programs faster than Computer Y.[2 marks]
(b) State what is meant by a clock speed of 3.2 GHz.[1 mark]
3 Cache Memory[2 marks]
Explain how the size of the cache can affect the performance of the CPU.
4 Multi-core[3 marks]
A student says: "My computer has a quad-core processor, so it will always run programs exactly four times faster than a single-core processor."
Explain why this statement is not always correct.
5 RAM & ROM[4 marks]
Describe two differences between RAM and ROM.
6 Virtual Memory[3 marks]
A user opens many applications at the same time and notices their computer has become very slow.
Explain what virtual memory is and why it can cause a reduction in performance.
7 Secondary Storage[4 marks]
Describe two differences between a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and a Solid State Drive (SSD).
8 Storage Types[4 marks]
Identify a suitable type of storage for each use case below and explain your choice.
(a) A surgeon needs a device to store patient X-ray images for long-term archiving. The images are large files and must not be lost if power fails.[2 marks]
(b) A laptop needs to store data that must be accessible instantly while programs are running, but the data does not need to be kept after the computer is switched off.[2 marks]