4. Execute then Reset

STAGE: Execute

The instruction within the instruction register is carried out (executed) by the CPU. The part that executes instructions is called the 'execute unit'.

STAGE: Reset

Now that the CPU is executing an instruction, the Program Counter can now be reset to point to the next instruction.

This is the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle that is present in every sequential processing computer.

To remind you how it works, have a look at this movie, it will cycle around by itself with a few seconds between stages (the 'exit' button is on the bottom right)