processor essay Essay Example

processor essay Essay Example processor essay Essay processor essay Essay Every PC has a Central Processing Unit (CPU) this acts as the brain of your system. It connects to the Motherboard and works alongside the other components processing many instructions at the same time between the different hardware and memory systems. Advancements in CPU technology now mean systems typically come with Dual Core, Triple core or Quad Core processors (on one single chip) instead of the traditional one core per chip. Now the total number of Cores can slot into a socket as before and a single heat sink and fan can keep everything to the right temperature. Types of processors: Intel Pentium Dual Core Processors The Intel Pentium processors with Intel dual-core technology deliver great desktop performance, low power enhancements, and multitasking for everyday computing. Intel Dual Core 13 Processors Intel Core 13 dual core processors provide 4-way multitasking capability with built-in performance headroom for software upgrades. Intel Dual Core 15 Processors Intel Core 15 processors deliver the next level of productivity. With Intel Turbo Boost Technology this quad-core processor with 4-way multitasking capability delivers extra speed whenever you need. Intel Dual Core 17 Processors The Intel Core 17 processors deliver best-in-class performance for the most demanding applications. This quad-core processor features 8-way multitasking capability and additional L3 cache. My personal view is there is little difference between using both makes and have run many stable and fast systems using both makes. The AMD processors do tend to run hotter than the Intel versions, but with a suitable fan this is easily kept under control. How processors works: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) Figure 1: The Central Processing Unit The computer does its primary work in a part of the machine we cannot see, a control enter that converts data input to information output. This control center, called the central processing unit (CPL]), is a highly complex, extensive set of electronic circuitry that executes stored program instructions. All computers, large and small, must have a central processing unit. As Figure 1 shows, the central processing unit consists of two parts: The control unit and the arithmetic/logic unit. Each part has a specific function. BeTore we Olscuss tne control unlt ana tne arltnmetlc/loglc unlt In aetall, we need to consider data storage and its relationship to the central processing unit. Computers se two types of storage: Primary storage and secondary storage. The CPU interacts closely with primary storage, or main memory, referring to it for both instructions and data. For this reason this part of the reading will discuss memory in the context of the central processing unit. Technically, however, memory is not part of the CPL]. Recall that a computers memory holds data only temporarily, at the time the computer is executing a program. Secondary storage holds permanent or semi- permanent data on some external magnetic or optical medium. The diskettes and CD-ROM disks that you have seen with personal computers are secondary storage evices, as are hard disks. Since the physical attributes of secondary storage devices determine the way data is organized on them, we will discuss secondary storage and data organization together in another part of our on-line readings. Now let us consider the components of the central processing unit. 0 The Control Unit The control unit of the CPU contains circuitry that uses electrical signals to direct the entire computer system to carry out, or execute, stored program instructions. Like an orchestra leader, the control unit does not execute program instructions; rather, it directs other parts of the system to do so. The control unit must communicate with both the arithmetic/logic unit and memory. The Arithmetic/Logic Unit The arithmetic/logic unit (ALL) contains the electronic circuitry that executes all arithmetic and logical operations. The arithmetic/logic unit can perform four kinds of arithmetic operations, or mathematical calculations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. As its name implies, the arithmetic/logic unit also performs logical operations. A logical operation is usually a comparison. The unit can compare numbers, letters, or special characters. The computer can then take action based on the result of the omparison. This is a very important capability. It is by comparing that a computer is able to tell, for instance, whether there are unfilled seats on airplanes, whether charge- card customers have exceeded their credit limits, and whether one candidate for Congress has more votes than another. Logical operations can test for three conditions: Equal-to condition. In a test for this condition, the arithmetic/logic unit compares two values to determine if they are equal. For example: If the number of tickets sold equals the number of seats in the auditorium, then the concert is declared sold out. Less-than condition. To test for this condition, the computer compares values to determine if one is less than another. For example: If the number of speeding tickets on a arlvers recoro Is less tnan tnree, tnen Insurance rates are $425; otnerwlse, tne rates are $500. Greater-than condition. In this type of comparison, the computer determines if one value is greater than another. For example: If the hours a person worked this week are greater than 40, then multiply every extra hour by 1. 5 times the usual hourly wage to compute overtime pay. A computer can simultaneously test for more than one condition. In fact, a logic unit can usually discern six logical relationships: equal to, less than, greater than, less than or equal to, greater than or equal to, and not equal. The symbols that let you define the type of comparison you want the computer to perform are called relational operators. The most common relational operators are the equal sign(=), the less-than symbol(). Registers: Temporary Storage Areas Registers are temporary storage areas for instructions or data. They are not a part of memory; rather they are special additional storage locations that offer the advantage of speed. Registers work under the direction of the control unit to accept, hold, and transfer instructions or data and perform arithmetic or logical comparisons at high speed. The control unit uses a data storage register the way a store owner uses a cash register-as a temporary, convenient place to store what is used in transactions. Computers usually assign special roles to certain registers, including these registers: An accumulator, which collects the result of computations. An address register, which keeps track of where a given instruction or piece of data is stored in memory. Each storage location in memory is identified by an address, Just as each house on a street has an address. A storage register, which temporarily holds data taken from or about to be sent to memory. A general-purpose register, which is used for several functions. Memory and Storage Memory is also known as primary storage, primary memory, main storage, internal storage, main memory, and RAM (Random Access Memory); all these terms are used interchangeably by people in computer circles. Memory is the part of the computer that holds data and instructions for processing. Although closely associated with the entral processing unit, memory is separate from it. Memory stores program instructions or data for only as long as the program they pertain to is in operation. Keeping these items in memory when the program is not running is not feasible for three reasons: Most types of memory only store items while the computer is turned on; data is destroyed when the machine is turned off. If more than one program is running at once (often the case on large computers and sometimes on small computers), a single program can not lay exclusive claim to memory. There may not be room in memory to hold the processed data.