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Processor Central Processor Microprocessor CPU Central Processing Unit

The CPU, or central processing unit, is the core component of a computer that processes instructions from hardware and software. Often referred to as the brain of the computer, it functions primarily as a highly efficient calculator, requiring software to perform tasks beyond calculations. The CPU was first developed by Intel in the early 1970s, with the initial model being the 4004 processor.

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6 views3 pages

Processor Central Processor Microprocessor CPU Central Processing Unit

The CPU, or central processing unit, is the core component of a computer that processes instructions from hardware and software. Often referred to as the brain of the computer, it functions primarily as a highly efficient calculator, requiring software to perform tasks beyond calculations. The CPU was first developed by Intel in the early 1970s, with the initial model being the 4004 processor.

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CPU

Alternately referred to as a processor, central processor, or


microprocessor, the CPU (pronounced sea-pea-you) is the
central processing unit of the computer. A computer's CPU
handles all instructions it receives from hardware and software
running on the computer. For example, the CPU processed the
instructions to use a web browser to open and display this web
page on your computer.1

Tip

The CPU is often referred to as the brain of the computer


because many believe it thinks like a human brain. However, it's
more appropriate to refer to software as the "brain" and the CPU
as a very efficient calculator. A CPU is really good with numbers,
but if it wasn't for software, it couldn't do anything more than
calculate.

1 https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/c/cpu.htm
Note
Many new computer users may
improperly call their computer
and sometimes their monitor the
CPU. When referring to your
computer or monitor, it's proper
to refer to them as either the
"computer" or "monitor" and not
a CPU. The CPU is a chip inside the computer.

CPU overview
The picture below is an example of what the bottom and top of an
AMD RYZEN processor may look. The processor is placed and
secured into a compatible CPU socket found on the motherboard.
Processors produce heat, so they are covered with a heat sink to
keep them cool and running smoothly. To help transfer the heat
between the CPU and the heat sink2

As seen in the picture on the left side,


the CPU chip is usually square with one
notched corner to help make sure it's
properly inserted into the CPU socket.
On the bottom of the chip are hundreds
of connector pins that correspond to the
socket holes.

However, Intel and AMD have also


experimented with slot processors. They were much larger and
slid into a slot on the motherboard. Also, over the years, there
were several types of sockets on motherboards. Each socket only
supports specific types of processors and each has its own pin
layout.

What does the CPU do?


2 https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/c/cpu.htm
The CPU's main function is to take input from a peripheral
(keyboard, mouse, printer, etc) or computer program, and
interpret what it needs. The CPU then either outputs information
to your monitor or performs the peripheral's requested task.

CPU history
The CPU was first invented and developed at Intel with the help of
Ted Hoff and others in the early 1970s. The first processor
released by Intel was the 4004 processor, shown in the picture.

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