Module 3: The CPU
Week of Thu, Aug 27 · module closes Tue, Sep 1
Take Meerk's quiz for Module 3
This module's items
- M3 Discussiondue Tue, Sep 1 · points in Canvas
Exact due times are in Canvas. Late work is not accepted.
Know these cold
- The CPU executes instructions through a fetch-decode-execute cycle at billions of cycles per second.
- Intel uses LGA (pins on motherboard); AMD AM4 uses PGA (pins on CPU); AMD AM5 uses LGA.
- Cache hierarchy: L1 (fastest, ~256 KB per core), L2 (~1-4 MB per core), L3 (shared, 16-64 MB).
- TDP (Thermal Design Power) in watts specifies how much heat the cooler must dissipate continuously.
- Apply thermal paste in a pea-sized dot at the center of the CPU IHS — do not spread it manually.
- SMT (Hyper-Threading on Intel) presents two logical threads per physical core to the OS.
Meerk's quiz — open the Module 3 gate
10 questions, no time limit. 85% on your first attempt in a 24-hour window opens the gate. Retakes inside the window are practice — they help you learn, they don't count. Work alone; the point is to know it, not to have seen it.
Stuck?
Raise your hand. Mr. James gets a message right away and can help you remotely. Nothing else is stored — just your last name, grade, and where you're stuck.
Dinner Table Question
Ask at home: A system freezes under load at 95C. Temperature is normal at idle. What is the most likely cause?
En español: Un sistema se congela bajo carga a 95C pero funciona bien en reposo. Cual es la causa mas probable?