CPU, Memory, Cache, Virtual Memory, Bus, Disk, other I/O

Ability to understand technical literature on new computer systems

Understanding all components of a computer system affect performance

Ability to use benchmarks and performance metrics

Understanding of the tradeoffs between RISC and CISC computers

Understanding the relationship between Machine Code, Assembly Code, and High-level Languages

Ability to program moderately-complex programs in assembly language

Ability to hand assemble and dis-assemble code

Ability to design integer ALUs at the gate level

Understanding of integer multiplication and division algorithms

Understanding of floating-point formats and simple operations

Understanding of the relationship between assembly language and CPU design

Ability to design and analyze simple integer CPUs

Ability to design and analyze multi-cycle integer CPUs

Ability to design and analyze multi-stage pipelined CPUs

Ability to design hazard detection logic

Ability to design register-forwarding hazard prevention systems

Understanding of the purpose of cache memory systems

Ability to design simple cache memory systems

Understanding of multi-level cache memory systems

Ability to analyze the performance of a cache memory system

Ability to design and analyze associative caches

Understanding of the purposes of virtual memory systems

Ability to design and analyze simple demand-based virtual memory systems