CPU
By Tyler Downer
2/9/08
What is a CPU?
A CPU is a Central Processing Unit, or just the Processor. It is the part of the computer that does the actual "number-chrunching" and decision making. Almost every request and instruction that a computer processes comes through the CPU. Below is a picture of a Pentium 4 processor.
Many people mistakingly call their entire computer the CPU, when the actual CPU is just a small square located on the Motherboard.
Who makes them?
Most CPUs are made by one of two companies, AMD, or Intel. Intel holds much of the market share and is the manufacturer of the Pentium, Celeron and Dual-Core lines of processors. AMD is rapidly growing and producess several process families, like the x64. Although each company has fans that hold there are major differences between them, each companies processor's are roughly the same. It is a matter of preference what company you choose.
Where are they located?
A CPU is is located on the motherboard in a socket called a Zero-Insertion Forece (ZIF) socket. This socket makes it very easy to insert and remove the fragile processor. Below is a picture of a mother board with the ZIF outlined in yellow.
What are they made of?
A CPU is made of houndreds of thousands, even millions of transistors. Transistors are the actual circuits that process instrucstions and store information being worked on. The more transitors a CPU has, the fastor it should run because it can perform a calculation , the basis for all computer instrucions, faster. Most modern home CPUs run in the 2-3 Gigahertz range. Hertz is a meausre of the speed of a CPU, somewhat like MPH.
What do they Do?
A CPU is the central command station for the computer. Whe you perform an operation, like moving the mouse, the CPU intreprets how far you moved the mouse and where to place the cursor. A CPU also performs instrutions that you send to it from a program. For example, using the Calculator to add two numbers together. Modern CPUs can also perform floating-point mathimatical equations, used in many modern applications and games. It also directs certain computer parts to do things, like telling the CD drive to read a disc at the proper place. Without a CPU your computer is worthless, it is the taskmaster and shepherd of the whole system.
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