What is CPU Its Type

What is CPU and what does it do (Central processing unit)

In this article you will know what is CPU and what does it do? Whenever we talk about computer, the word CPU comes mostly in hearing. If you are interested in the field of Computer Hardware, then you will hear this word often. So what is CPU? CPU, which we call the brain of the computer, is a type of processing device. Which processes the information you input into the computer and gives you its result.

The CPU works just like a human brain. Just as we cannot do anything without the brain, similarly a computer or any gadgets cannot do a single process without the CPU. That is, the CPU has an important contribution in whatever work the computer does. That is why it is considered the most important part of the computer. Nowadays CPU is known more by names like Processor or Microprocessor.

These processors are of many types, if you hear, dual-core or quad-core then these are the names of different types of CPU. Apart from this, the processor is also responsible for the better performance of the computer. The capacity of a computer completely depends on the CPU. If you want a fast computer, then it is important to know about CPU for that.

In this post we will tell you what is called processor or CPU? Where is it located in the computer and what is the function of CPU? So let’s first know without wasting time, what is CPU, then we will talk about other aspects of it.

Topics

• What is CPU? (What is CPU)
• Components of CPU and their functions
• Types of CPU
• CPU Models
• How to Check Your CPU Model
• What is CPU Cores and Threads
• How Does a CPU Work
• Where is the CPU located in the computer
• how cpu is made
• Importance of Central Processing Unit
• Conclusion

What is CPU

The full form of CPU is Central Processing Unit which is also called Processor or Microprocessor. It is a primary component of the computer and is often called the “brain of the computer” of the computer. Its main function is to process the instructions given to the computer. That is, the tasks and processes performed on the computer are done by the CPU in some form or the other. In the language of technology, CPU is the hardware of the computer, which controls all the arithmetical, logical and input/output operations.

Every operation or task that we do in our computer is processed by the CPU. Let us take a simple example to understand. Suppose you use a calculator in a computer to add two numbers. So for this you will first enter those numbers through the keyboard. Now the keyboard controller will convert that information or data into binary code (0 – 1). That’s because the computer works on the binary system.

When this data reaches the CPU, the ALU (Arithmetical Logical Unit) present in it is responsible for all mathematical and logical operations. By adding this number the result is displayed on your computer screen. So overall the processor or CPU is responsible for executing all the processes. Now when so much load is on the CPU, it often gets hot. To avoid this heat, a cooling fan is installed above the CPU.

In a computer, you will see the CPU installed in the CPU socket present in the motherboard. In appearance, it is a square shaped chip. Which is made up of a thin layer of thousands of transistors. With the help of these transistors, the processor receives input from a peripheral device (Keyboard, Mouse etc.) or computer program and after processing it sends the result to the output device.

The world’s first CPU was made by Intel in the 1970s. Since then, many changes have taken place in its design and implementation. But there has not been much change in its fundamental operation i.e. the way of working. CPU is the most important element of a computer system in terms of computing power. Its components have a huge contribution in making the processor important. So let’s know about them.

Components of CPU and their functions

Below are the major components of the CPU, which perform various tasks for the CPU. The various components of CPU are as follows.

• Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
• Control Unit (CU)
• Registers or memory unit
• Buses

Arithmetic Logic Unit

The ALU is responsible for performing all the arithmetic and logical operations within the CPU. The arithmetic logic unit is used to process all the calculations done by the CPU such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and comparison. It is considered an important part of the CPU.

ALU is also called Core of the CPU. How fast a computer will complete a process depends on the CPU core itself. Often you must have heard while buying a computer that a processor ie CPU is of single core or dual core. So here core means ALU.

Control Unit

The CU is also a major component of the CPU. It works to control and direct all the operations happening in the computer. In easy language, the control unit is responsible for transferring the instructions or data you have input to another unit of the computer system.

For this, it first receives the instructions from the memory register, then after interpreting them, ie after interpreting them, sends them to different units according to the instructions. This system works in the direction of the clock, due to which it is ensured that the data reaches its right place.

Registers or Memory Unit

The memory unit is the temporary storage of the CPU, where the data or instructions for processing are stored. It keeps the information in the form of bits. These registers are of different capacity in CPU. Like – 2-bit register, 4-bit register or 8-bit register etc. The control unit takes the data kept in this memory unit to the ALU for processing. This memory is not a computer memory, but it is called the local storage of the CPU, which holds the data being processed.

There are many other classes of these registers, which are shown below:

Memory Address Register (MAR): When the computer comes to the CPU for processing data from memory, it has an address. MAR is used to store those addresses.
Memory Data Register (MDR): It holds the data or instructions received from memory.
Program Counter (PC): This register holds the next instructions to come.
Current Instructions Register (CIR): Holds the current instructions being decoded and executed by the processor.
Accumulator Register (AR): When a program or instruction is executed by the CPU, that is, when the result of that process comes out. So this AR keeps him on hold.

System Buses

These system buses are used to carry data between processor and memory. It is a pathway made up of cables and connectors. These buses act as a communication path so that data and control signals can be exchanged between different components of the computer system.

There are three main types of system bus in computer system:

• Address bus: Carries the addresses of instructions or data.
• Data bus: Carries data between memory and processor.
• Control bus: Used to carry control signals.

Types of CPU

When you buy a new computer or think of building it yourself. So for that the selection of processor is most important. Because you know, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) ie processor handles all the important components of a computer. The performance of a computer system depends on its processor. By reading the different types of CPU mentioned below, you will be able to know which processor will be better for your computer.

Single Core CPUs

These types of CPUs are able to execute or execute only one single process at a time. Core determines the capacity of a processor. This is the oldest type of CPU chips. Which were used in earlier computers. The computing devices which have single-core CPUs, their performance is not very good. Especially in multi-tasking.

On running more than one program or application, you will see that their processing capacity will start slowing down. Due to being a single core in the processor, the number of the other comes only after the completion of one operation. Due to this the second operation has to wait for processing. The performance of these types of CPUs depends on their clock speed, which is a measurement of their power.

Dual Core CPUs

As the name suggests, these CPUs have two cores. That is, we can say that these types of CPUs have the capability of two processors. Now because Dual Core CPUs have the capacity of two CPUs, they are able to perform more than one operation in comparison to a single core. Their processing speed is also higher than a single core CPU.

The technology that these CPUs use to perform the processes is called dual-core technology. One thing to keep in mind is that CPU can execute only one process at a time. But through this technology, two processor cores are combined into a single silicone chip.

Quad Core CPUs

This means, a processor with four cores. That is, each core can process and execute a program with independence. You can say that the workload of a computer system gets split near four CPUs. These types of CPUs are more commonly seen in today’s multi-tasking environment.

In order for the programs and operating systems running on the computer to be able to use the capabilities of the quad-core CPU, they contain a special type of code, which is known as SMT Code (simultaneous multi-threading technology). These types of CPUs work on multiprocessor architecture. It is a better processor in terms of capabilities than the single and dual-core CPUs mentioned above.

CPU Models

The CPU or Central Processing Unit, called the brain of the computer, is available in many different models nowadays. These models are specially made by well known companies like Intel and AMD. In which the following are some CPU models.

Core Class (i3, i5, i7 and i9)

Intel introduced the Core “i” series in 2008. This model replaced the earlier Core Duo and Solo CPUs. All these processor models are made for different performance systems. If you want to use these models of Intel. So you should know the difference between them.

Core i3: This processor model from Intel is designed for the casual user and budget gamer. The i3 processor is usually based on 4 cores and 4 thread.

Core i5: This CPU is based on 6 cores and 6 thread, which is designed keeping in mind the needs of a heavy user.

Core i7: This CPU model has 6 cores like Core i5, but the number of threads is 12. Due to which it helps a lot in heavy cpu uses or multitasking. If you want a high-end computer system, then Core i7 is a great option.

Core i9: This is the latest Core processor right now, which has 10 cores and 20 threads. The recently launched Core i9 is the best processor ever.

Pentium Class (Pentium, Celeron, Xeon)

The first Pentium CPU model was introduced by Intel in 1993. These were the most commonly used CPU models in general purpose computers. However, when the core line processors were introduced in 2006, their use was reduced to a great extent. But even today Pentium 4 dual core is used in many PCs.

AMD (Athlon, Duron, Sempron, Opteron, Phenom, Ryzen)

AMD is the second largest CPU manufacturer company in the world. It introduced its first Pentium-compatible CPU (K5) in 1994. After this, AMD launched the rest of its processor models in the market one after the other. The names given above are the models offered by it.

Apart from this, many other CPU models are also available. But the above mentioned models are used the most. So if you want to make a computer system, for that you have to choose the processor according to your need. Apart from this, also check that the processor you have chosen supports your motherboard.

How to Check Your CPU Model

If you want to check your PC’s CPU model and its details, then for that you have to follow the method given by us. In this way not only will you be able to get information about your CPU but also the overall technical specifications of a computer system. There are many ways to know about CPU models.

If you press the Windows key and the Pause key simultaneously, then the complete information about the entire system will open in front of you in a new window. In this you will know processor name (eg,Intel, AMD, Pentium), model (eg, Core (TM) i5), model number (eg, 3570), frequency (eg,3.40GHz), number of cores (eg,4 CPU) etc.

There is also another way, in which you go to the window menu and search Run. Now open this software. Now here you have to enter msinfo32 by typing this command. System details window will open in front of you.

What is CPU Cores and Threads

A part of CPU is called CPU Cores, it is responsible for process execution. If a processor has one core. So this means that processor can do only one task at a time. If a CPU has eight cores, then it can do multiple tasks at the same time. The more cores a CPU has, the more efficient and faster it will be.

CPU threads are the logical part of a core. Just as the part of the CPU is called the core, similarly the parts of the core are called threads. The number of threads in a processor depends on the number of cores. If a CPU is of dual core, then it will have 4 threads. That is, there are two threads in each core.

For example CPU is a company, in which two people work. That is, the number of cores is two. In them each person has two hands, that is, the number of threads is four. Overall, how many tasks the CPU will do at a time depends on its cores and threads.

How Does a CPU Work

By now you must have known what the CPU works but it is quite interesting to know how it works. Today we have CPUs with different performances available, but they follow the same method to perform any task. When instructions are given to the CPU through a program or input device. So to execute them, a CPU works in three steps, which includes the process of fetch, decode and execute.

Fetch

In this process the instructions are received by the CPU. These instructions are in a series of binary numbers and are given from RAM to CPU. The CPU does not receive an instruction directly, but in the first memory that instruction is separated into several sets. That is, many small building blocks of a big operation are made. After which the CPU receives those pieces of instruction one by one.

Now when an instruction is divided into many smaller sets, how does the CPU know which will be the next part of the instructions received earlier. To do this, it has a program counter (PC). Which keeps the addresses of the instructions by hold. That is, it will tell the CPU that this is the first part of the instruction and now it has to receive the second part.

These instructions are stored in a register, which is called Instructions Register (IR). Once this is done, the program counter will add one to it to reference the address of its next instructions.

Decode

Once the CPU successfully receives those instructions and stores them in the instructions register. After which the process of decode starts. To do this, it moves the instruction to a special circuit, which is called an instruction decoder. Here that instruction is converted into a signal. After this, that signal is sent to different parts of the CPU so that action can be taken on them.

Execute

Finally the decoded instructions are executed. After which they are stored as output in the CPU register so that other instructions coming after decoded can reference them. After this, according to the demand of the instruction, it is either given to the output device or it is saved on the secondary storage device of the system.

Where is CPU located

Often whenever we hear the name of CPU, the picture of a big box starts spinning in our mind. Especially those who do not know much about computers. They think, that big box is the CPU. But it is not so, that box is a system box, inside which all the internal components of the computer are present.

These internal components also include the CPU, which is a chip of small and square shape. It is fitted in the CPU socket on the motherboard. The CPU often gets hot after running for a while. To avoid this, a cooling fan is installed on it. That is why whenever you open the computer box, you will find the CPU under this fan.

How cpu is made

Understanding how a CPU is made is a bit complicated. But then we will try to explain you in a simple language. Sand is used to make a CPU. Silicon dioxide is found in large quantities in sand, which is a necessary substance for making semiconductors.

In the first step the sand is heated to a high temperature. After that it is purified with the help of various chemicals. As a result of which we get silicone in cylinder shape, it is called ingot. Now that ingot is cut into many slices with a thin saw, we call them wafers.

After that, these slices cut are polished with a photosensitive chemical. In the next step, the design of the transistor is printed on those silicon slices through ultraviolet laser. Once the design of the transistor is printed on those slices, then we connect them together using very tiny wires.

At the end stage they are tested and after that silicon chip is sealed in the metal cover and sent to you. However this process is not so easy. But we have tried to explain you in an easy language, hope you must have understood the information.

Importance of Central Processing Unit

If someone asks you what is the importance of a CPU in a computer or any other computing device. So what would you answer for this? See the answer is very simple, a computer without CPU is like a human without a brain. That is, any task that you give to the system will neither understand them nor you will get any output on it. Although earlier also we told you that all its components play an important role for a computer to function.

Conclusion

You have learned in this article what is CPU and what does it do. Under which we have tried to give you complete information about CPU. If you listen, processor or microprocessor then this is not a separate topic. Rather, there are other names for CPU itself, so do not worry about them. If you read this post with understanding, then there is nothing in the CPU about which you cannot know.

So hopefully you must have got to know a lot from this post What is CPU. But if you feel lack of any information in this post or you have any question related to it. So please tell us by commenting below. Your suggestions are very important to us.

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