GATE 2016 CS – Question 19
A processor can support a maximum memory of 4 GB, where the memory is word-addressable (a word consists of two bytes). The size of the address bus of the processor is at least ________ bits.
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Correct answer: 31
Explanation
4 GB is $2^{32}$ bytes. With 2 bytes per word that is $2^{31}$ words, and each word needs its own address, so the address bus needs at least 31 bits.