Sulaimani Polytechnic University
Technical College of Informatics
Department of Computer networks
Computer Architecture
Introduction to Computer Architecture
3rd Stage, 6th Semester, Lec2, 2024-2025
Lecturer: Warmn Faiq Ahmed
MSc. in Information Technology
Warmn.faiq.a@spu.edu.iq
Learning Outcome
Upon the completion of this lecture, students will be able to:
• Understand the basic concept of computer architecture.
• Identify key components like CPU, memory, and I/O.
Lecturer: Warmn Faiq Ahmed warmn.faiq.a@spu.edu.iq 2
Outline
• What is Computer Architecture?
• Computer Organization vs Computer Architecture
• Key Components of Computer Architecture
• Von Neumann Architecture
• Modern Enhancements
• Instruction Set Architecture (ISA)
• Summary
• Next Lecture?
Lecturer: Warmn Faiq Ahmed warmn.faiq.a@spu.edu.iq 3
What is Computer Architecture?
• Computer architecture refers to the design and structure of a computer's system.
• It defines how the hardware and software interact.
• Includes instruction sets, hardware components, data paths, and memory architecture.
Lecturer: Warmn Faiq Ahmed warmn.faiq.a@spu.edu.iq 4
Computer Organization vs Computer Architecture
Aspect Computer Architecture Computer Organization
Definition Functional behavior and Physical implementation of a
system design computer system
Focus What the system does (e.g., How the system works (e.g.,
instruction set, logic design) hardware components)
Concerned With Instruction sets, data types, Control signals, memory,
addressing modes buses, ALU, and other
hardware
Level of Abstraction High-level (software- Low-level (hardware-
oriented) oriented)
Example Topics RISC vs CISC, Instruction Set Control unit, data path,
Architecture (ISA) timing, and signal
transmission
Audience System architects, software Hardware engineers, system
developers implementers
Dependency Independent of Dependent on architectural
implementation design
Lecturer: Warmn Faiq Ahmed warmn.faiq.a@spu.edu.iq 5
Key Components of Computer Architecture
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Executes instructions
• Composed of ALU, Control Unit, and Registers
Memory
• Stores data and instructions
• Types: RAM, ROM, Cache
Input/Output (I/O) Devices
• Interface with the external world
Bus Systems
• Data transfer pathways between components.
Lecturer: Warmn Faiq Ahmed warmn.faiq.a@spu.edu.iq 6
Von Neumann Architecture
A traditional computer architecture model:
• Single memory for data and instructions
• Instructions executed sequentially
• Includes: CPU, Memory, Input/Output
Limitation:
Von Neumann bottleneck John Von Neumann was a
mathematician, physicist and
(slow data transfer between CPU and memory) inventor. He proposed a model to
create a computer system that carry
out one kind of task that would be
much easier to re-program in 1945.
Lecturer: Warmn Faiq Ahmed warmn.faiq.a@spu.edu.iq 7
Modern Enhancements
• Pipelining: Multiple instruction phases executed simultaneously
• Multi-core Processors: Multiple CPUs in one chip for parallel execution
• Cache Memory: High-speed memory closer to the CPU
Lecturer: Warmn Faiq Ahmed warmn.faiq.a@spu.edu.iq 8
Instruction Set Architecture (ISA)
What is ISA?
• ISA is basically the interface between your hardware and the software. The only way that you can
interact with the hardware is the instruction set of the processor.
Two major types:
• CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer)
• RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer)
Lecturer: Warmn Faiq Ahmed warmn.faiq.a@spu.edu.iq 9
Summary
• Computer architecture is the blueprint of a computer system.
• Involves both hardware and instruction design.
• Understanding it helps optimize software performance and system design
• Computer Architecture defines what a computer system does whereas computer
Organization explains how it does it.
• Both CO and CA are essential to understanding how computers operate efficiently.
Lecturer: Warmn Faiq Ahmed warmn.faiq.a@spu.edu.iq 10
Next Lecture?
We will learn about Computer Systems:
Architecture
Components
Functionality
Lecturer: Warmn Faiq Ahmed warmn.faiq.a@spu.edu.iq 11
THANK YOU
For your attention
