CPU AS A MICROPROCESSOR

CPU as MICROPROCESSOR

Central Processing Unit (CPU) is a microscopic circuitry that serves as the main information processor in a computer or computer device. It is the heart of the computer and responsible for the processing of data into information. A CPU is generally a single microprocessor made from a wafer of semiconducting material, usually silicon, with millions of electrical components on its surface. On a higher level, the CPU is actually a number of interconnected processing units that are each responsible for one aspect of the CPU’s function. Standard CPUs contain processing units that interpret and implement software instructions, perform calculations and comparisons, make logical decisions (determining if a statement is true or false based on the rules of Boolean algebra), temporarily store information for use by another of the CPU’s processing units, keep track of the current step in the execution of the program, and allow the CPU to communicate with the rest of the computer.

The C.P.U is divided into three components. These are:

1.       Control Unit – This is like a power house to the CPU. It is the control section which times regulates all elements of the computer system. It also translates patterns in the registers into computer activities such as instructions to add, move or compare data. The control unit reads and interprets the program instructions, transforming them into control signals that activate other parts of the computer. The CU is the unit or section which controls, plans, coordinates, manages the activities and functions of the computer system.

2.      ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) – The ALU performs arithmetic operations (such as addition and subtraction) and logic operations (such as testing a value to see if it is true or false).logic operations involve Boolean logic such as AND, OR, XOR and NOT. They are useful for creating complicated conditional statements and processing Boolean Logic.

3.     Main Memory – This can be viewed as a list of cells into which numbers can be placed or read. Each cell has a number “address” and can store a single number. The memory cell is set up to store binary numbers in groups of eight bits (byte). A computer writes and read data to and from the memory cell which is also known as registers (A register is used to quickly accept, store and transfer data and instructions that are being used immediately by the CPU). The main memory is the primary memory inside a PC. It is where data and information are stored temporarily on the computer while it is on. The main memory is responsible for the booting or starting up of the computer and the running of programs.

Functions of the CPU

1.      A CPU is similar to a calculator as it performs all calculating and manipulating functions of the computer system.

2.       The CPU is to perform arithmetic and logical operations on data taken from memory or on information entered through some device, such as a keyboard, scanner, or joystick.

3.       The CPU is controlled by a list of software instructions, called a computer program. It reads, decodes and executes program instructions.

The C.P.U comes in different variety of shapes, speed, sizes. C.P.U generates a lot of heat and thus requires a cooling fan and heat sink in order to run cool.

The most common C.P.Us in the market today are:

1.       Intel

2.       AMD - Advanced Micro Devices

3.       Cytrix and IDT (outdated)

There have been different C.P.U manufacturers of hundreds of models of C.P.Us. Some are 8088, 80286, 80386, 80486, Pentium, Pentium Pro, K5, K6, 686, Pentium II or III or IV, Celeron, AMD Athlon, AMD Turion, AMD Vision, AMD Fusion, Intel core duo, quad, i3, i5 and i7 etc.

Through competition some of the manufacturers make the exact model. For instance, you could get an AMD 486 or an Intel 486. Both are different in work areas although some models function similarly, such as the Intel Pentium and AMD K6.

The C.P.U also range in speed, this is referred to as CLOCK SPEED and it is measured in Megahertz (MHz) or Gigahertz (GHz).

So, what is your C.P.U make, model, speed, memory capacity etc? This is what makes up your system.  

You can check yours now to know the fate of your computer.

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Check out for the List of INTEL and AMD microprocessor