Systems ArchitectureComparison
Comparison: PC vs ACC
Part of Program Counter & Accumulator — GCSE Computer Science
This comparison covers Comparison: PC vs ACC within Program Counter & Accumulator for GCSE Computer Science. Revise Program Counter & Accumulator in Systems Architecture for GCSE Computer Science with 15 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 6 of 7 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 6 of 7
Practice
15 questions
Recall
12 flashcards
Comparison: PC vs ACC
| Aspect | Program Counter (PC) | Accumulator (ACC) |
|---|---|---|
| What it holds | Memory address (of next instruction) | Data value (result of calculation) |
| When it changes | During FETCH stage (increments) | During EXECUTE stage (result stored) |
| Change type | Usually +1 (sequential) or jump to new address | Overwritten with new result |
| Purpose | Track program flow / which instruction is next | Store intermediate calculation results |
| Controlled by | Control Unit (increments) or branch instructions | ALU (writes results) |