(block 07) systems architecture
Uncover the secrets of your computer's brain! Explore how a CPU works, from the classic Von Neumann architecture and the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle to the key factors that determine its speed, including clock speed, cache memory, and multi-core processors.
At the heart of every smartphone, gaming console, and supercomputer lies the Central Processing Unit (CPU) - the electronic brain responsible for executing every line of code you write. In this unit, you will look inside the CPU to explore the Von Neumann architecture. You will discover how the Control Unit and Arithmetic Logic Unit work together, trace how special high-speed memory registers store binary data during the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle, and investigate the physical factors (clock speed, cache memory, and multi-core processing) that determine how fast a computer can run. Finally, you will investigate embedded systems - specialised microcontrollers built into everyday appliances from washing machines to medical monitors.
The Von Neumann architecture and the stored program concept, uniting instructions and data in memory.
This page is mainly about 07-02_control_unit_(cu)_&_arithmetic_logic_unit_(alu)
Explore core CPU registers in the Von Neumann architecture: PC, MAR, MDR, CIR, and Accumulator.
This page is mainly about 07-04_bus_architecture_&_system_interconnects
This page is mainly about 07-05_the_fetch-decode-execute_(f-d-e)_cycle
This page is mainly about 07-06_cpu_clock_speed_&_instruction_timing
This page is mainly about 07-07_cache_memory_hierarchy_&_hit_miss_dynamics
This page is mainly about 07-08_multi-core_processing_&_parallel_execution
This page is mainly about 07-09_embedded_systems_architecture_&_microcontrollers
Last modified: September 24th, 2026
