Comparison: PC vs ACC
Part of Program Counter & Accumulator · GCSE GCSE Computer Science revision
This comparison covers Comparison: PC vs ACC within Program Counter & Accumulator for GCSE Computer Science. Revise Program Counter & Accumulator in 3.4 Computer Systems for GCSE Computer Science with 15 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 6 of 8 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 8
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) |
Keep building this topic
Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Program Counter & Accumulator. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.
Practice Questions for Program Counter & Accumulator
What does the Program Counter (PC) store?
Explain what happens to the Program Counter during the fetch stage of the FDE cycle.
Quick Recall Flashcards
15 questions on Program Counter & Accumulator — practise free
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