What is a CPU?
A CPU, or central processing unit, is the brains of the electronic system it controls. The most familiar CPUs –also called microprocessors — are found in desktop and laptop personal computers, yet millions of CPUs are also used in what we call “embedded applications”. CPUs are programmable. In other words they can be programmed to execute a range of instructions, to perform arithmetic and logical operations on data, and control input/output of data. This makes CPU’s very versatile. They may – as we see in the familiar example of PCs – run lots of different programs. They may also be programmed to perform the specific functions required in a range of different types of electronic equipment, ranging from consumer electronics for the home to mobile devices to enterprise IT equipment for the data center. Embedded CPUs may be combined with other circuitry to create a “System-on-a-Chip” (SoC) solution. For example the chips used to power mobile phones, network switching equipment and hard d
Today’s digital devices and the digital lifestyle are rapidly changing. The demand for power-intensive applications, and smaller and smaller form factors, require innovative hardware that can manage and process the heavy-duty tasks. Not so long ago, if you wanted to watch a streaming video while sending e-mails, you needed a desktop PC that was plugged into a wall, with a high-performance CPU and a lot of memory. Now you expect to have the same multimedia experiences—the same ability to multitask—in the palm of your hand, inside your car, or from the comfort of your couch. And with increasingly demanding applications come increasing demands on the infrastructure that drives the network. In turn we need more storage capacity, faster access to files, better battery life, etc. All of these requirements illustrate the need for innovative, scalable, processing technologies. A CPU, or central processing unit, is effectively the brains of the device it occupies. The most familiar CPUs are fou
If you’re in the market for a new computer, it’s necessary to understand the function of a CPU. Also known as the Central Processing Unit or processor, the CPU is essentially the “brains” of your computer. Without the CPU, you wouldn’t be able to play games, type research papers, or surf the Internet. Your computer would basically be a very expensive paperweight. Sometimes people mistakenly believe the case or chassis of a computer is the CPU. However, a CPU is an internal component of the computer. You can’t see it from the outside of the system; you’d have to peek inside and remove both the CPU heatsink and fan to get a good look. The first CPUs were used in the early 1960s. They were custom designed as part of a larger computer, making them prohibitively expensive. Once engineers figured out how to mass produce the CPU, personal computers became more affordable for the average American. With the introduction of the integrated circuit in the late 1970s, it became possible for smaller
CPU is an acronym that stands for central processing unit. The central processing unit is responsible for performing all of the mathematical calculations that are required for a computer to function properly. Because a computer cannot function without the CPU (which may also be referred to as the central processor or just the processor), it is not uncommon to hear people refer to the CPU as the “brains” of a computer.
