Return to CPU Manufacturers, Hardware Topics, CPU-Z

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the primary component of a computer system responsible for executing instructions and performing computations. Often referred to as the “brain” of the computer, the CPU handles a wide range of tasks that allow a computer to function and run applications.

• Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): The ALU is responsible for performing arithmetic operations (such as addition and subtraction) and logic operations (such as comparisons). It is a crucial component that executes most of the computations within the CPU.
• Control Unit (CU): The CU directs the operation of the processor by fetching instructions from memory, decoding them, and then executing them. It controls the flow of data between the CPU, memory, and peripheral devices.
• Registers: Registers are small, fast storage locations within the CPU that hold data and instructions temporarily while they are being processed. They provide quick access to frequently used values and are essential for the CPU's operation.

• Clock Speed: The clock speed, measured in Hertz (Hz), indicates how many cycles per second the CPU can execute. Higher clock speeds generally mean faster processing, though overall performance also depends on other factors such as core count and architecture.
• Core Count: Modern CPUs often have multiple cores, allowing them to perform parallel processing. Each core can execute its own set of instructions, improving multitasking and overall performance for multi-threaded applications.
• Cache Memory: Cache memory is a small, high-speed memory located within the CPU that stores frequently accessed data and instructions. It reduces the time needed to access data from the main memory, enhancing processing speed.

• Historical Evolution: The CPU has evolved from simple, single-core processors to complex, multi-core systems with advanced features. Early CPUs were based on simple architectures, while modern processors incorporate sophisticated technologies to improve performance and efficiency.
• Current Trends: Contemporary CPUs feature enhancements such as Hyper-Threading, which allows each core to handle multiple threads simultaneously, and Turbo Boost, which increases the clock speed dynamically based on workload. These advancements aim to address the growing demands for processing power and efficiency.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPU
• https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/processors/processor-basics.html

Snippet from Wikipedia: Central processing unit

A central processing unit (CPU), also called a central processor, main processor, or just processor, is the primary processor in a given computer. Its electronic circuitry executes instructions of a computer program, such as arithmetic, logic, controlling, and input/output (I/O) operations. This role contrasts with that of external components, such as main memory and I/O circuitry, and specialized coprocessors such as graphics processing units (GPUs).

The form, design, and implementation of CPUs have changed over time, but their fundamental operation remains almost unchanged. Principal components of a CPU include the arithmetic–logic unit (ALU) that performs arithmetic and logic operations, processor registers that supply operands to the ALU and store the results of ALU operations, and a control unit that orchestrates the fetching (from memory), decoding and execution (of instructions) by directing the coordinated operations of the ALU, registers, and other components. Modern CPUs devote a lot of semiconductor area to caches and instruction-level parallelism to increase performance and to CPU modes to support operating systems and virtualization.

Most modern CPUs are implemented on integrated circuit microprocessors, with one or more CPUs on a single IC chip. Microprocessor chips with multiple CPUs are called multi-core processors (MCP). The individual physical CPUs, called processor cores, can also be multithreaded to support CPU-level multithreading.

An IC that contains a CPU may also contain memory, peripheral interfaces, and other components of a computer; such integrated devices are variously called microcontrollers or systems on a chip (SoC).

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0