A processor (CPU) is the logic circuitry that responds to and processes the basic instructions that drive a computer. The CPU is seen as the main and most crucial integrated circuitry (IC) chip in a computer, as it is responsible for interpreting most of computers commands. CPUs will perform most basic arithmetic, logic and I/O operations, as well as allocate commands for other chips and components running in a computer.
The term processor is used interchangeably with the term central processing unit (CPU), although strictly speaking, the CPU is not the only processor in a computer. The GPU (graphics processing unit) is the most notable example, but the hard drive and other devices within a computer also perform some processing independently. Nevertheless, the term processor is generally understood to mean the CPU.
Processors can be found in PCs, smartphones, tablets and other computers. The two main competitors in the processor market are Intel and AMD.
The basic elements of a processor
The basic elements of a processor include:
- The arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which carries out arithmetic and logic operationson the operands in instructions.
- The floating point unit (FPU), also known as a math coprocessor or numeric coprocessor, a specialized coprocessorthat manipulates numbers more quickly than the basic microprocessor circuitry can.
- Registers, which hold instructions and other data. Registers supply operands to the ALU and store the results of operations.
- L1 and L2cache memory. Their inclusion in the CPU saves time compared to having to get data from random access memory (RAM).
The four primary Functions of a processor are fetch, decode, execute and write back.
- Fetch- is the operation which receives instructions from program memory from a systems RAM.
- Decode- is where the instruction is converted to understand which other parts of the CPU are needed to continue the operation. This is performed by the instruction decoder
- Execute- is where the operation is performed. Each part of the CPU that is needed is activated to carry out the instructions.
Components and how CPUs work
The main components of a CPU are the ALU, registers and control unit. The basic functions of the ALU and register are labeled in the above “basic elements of a processor section.” The control unit is what operates the fetching and execution of instructions.
The processor in a personal computer or embedded in small devices is often called a microprocessor. That term means that the processor's elements are contained in a single IC chip. Some computers will operate using a multi-core processor—a chip containing more than one CPU. A CPU is typically a small device with pins on it facing down in a motherboard. CPUs can also be attached to a motherboard with a heat sink and a fan to dissipate heat.
Most processors today are multi-core, which means that the IC contains two or more processors for enhanced performance, reduced power consumption and more efficient simultaneous processing of multiple tasks (see: parallel processing). Multi-core set-ups are similar to having multiple, separate processors installed in the same computer, but because the processors are actually plugged into the same socket, the connection between them is faster.
Most computers may have up to two-four cores; however, this number can increase up to 12 cores, for example. If a CPU can only process a single set of instructions at one time, then it is considered as a single-core processor. If a CPU can process two sets of instructions at a time it is called a dual-core processor; four sets would be considered a quad-core processor. The more cores, the more instructions at a time a computer can handle.
Some processors use multi-threading, which uses virtualized processor cores. Virtualized processor cores are called vCPUs. These are not as powerful as physical cores but can be used to improve performance in virtual machines (VMs). However, adding unnecessary vCPUs can hurt consolidation ratios, so there should be about four-six vCPUs per physical core.
Processor (CPU) ni mfumo wa kiakili ambao unahusika na kuendesha programu ya kompyuta. CPU ni muhimu zaidi integrated circuitry (IC) chip katika kompyuta, kama ni wajibu wa kutafsiri amri nyingi za kompyuta. CPUs hufanya kazi za msingi za hesabu, mantiki na I O, na pia kutoa amri kwa chips na vipengele vingine vinavyoendesha kompyuta. "Jina ""processor"" linatumiwa kwa kubadilishana na neno ""Central Processing Unit"" (CPU), ingawa kwa kweli, CPU sio processor pekee katika kompyuta." GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) ni mfano maarufu zaidi, lakini diski ngumu na vifaa vingine ndani ya kompyuta pia hufanya baadhi ya usindikaji kwa kujitegemea. Hata hivyo, neno processor ni kwa ujumla kueleweka maana CPU. Vipimo vya kompyuta vinaweza kupatikana katika kompyuta za kibinafsi, simu mahiri, vidonge na kompyuta nyingine. Washindani wawili kuu katika soko la processor ni Intel na AMD. Vipengele vya msingi vya processor ni pamoja na: - Arithmetic logic unit (ALU), ambayo hufanya arithmetic na mantiki shughuli juu ya operands katika maelekezo. "Floating point unit (FPU) ni ""mfano wa ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano wa"" ""mfano"" ""mfano"" ""mfano"" ""mfano"" ""mfano"" ""mfano"" ""mfano"" ""mfano""""""""""" - Usajili, ambayo kuweka maelekezo na data nyingine. Registers usambazaji operands kwa ALU na kuhifadhi matokeo ya shughuli. L1 na L2 cache kumbukumbu Kuingizwa kwao katika CPU huokoa muda ikilinganishwa na kuwa na kupata data kutoka kumbukumbu ya upatikanaji wa nasibu (RAM). Kazi nne za msingi za processor ni kupata, decode, kutekeleza na kuandika nyuma. -Fetch- ni operesheni ambayo hupokea maelekezo kutoka kumbukumbu ya programu kutoka RAM ya mifumo. - Decode- ni ambapo maagizo ni kubadilishwa kuelewa ambayo sehemu nyingine ya CPU zinahitajika kuendelea na operesheni. Hii ni kufanyika na amri decoder - Execute- ni ambapo operesheni ni kufanyika. Kila sehemu ya CPU inayohitajika huanzishwa ili kutekeleza maagizo. Vipengele vya CPU ni: Vipengele vya msingi vya CPU ni ALU, rejista na kitengo cha kudhibiti. Kazi za msingi za ALU na usajili zimeorodheshwa katika sehemu ya juu ya "vitu vya msingi vya sehemu ya processor". Kitengo cha kudhibiti ni kile kinachoendesha kupata na kutekeleza maagizo. Processor katika kompyuta binafsi au iliyoingizwa katika vifaa vidogo mara nyingi huitwa microprocessor. Neno hilo linamaanisha kwamba vipengele vya processor viko katika chip moja ya IC. Baadhi ya kompyuta itafanya kazi kwa kutumia processor multi-core <unk> chip yenye zaidi ya moja CPU. CPU ni kifaa kidogo na pini juu yake inakabiliwa chini katika motherboard. CPU inaweza pia kuunganishwa na bodi ya mama na sink ya joto na shabiki ili kuondoa joto. Processors nyingi leo ni multi-core, ambayo ina maana kwamba IC ina processors mbili au zaidi kwa ajili ya utendaji bora, kupunguza matumizi ya nishati na ufanisi zaidi wakati huo huo usindikaji wa kazi nyingi (tazama: usindikaji sambamba). Multi-core ni sawa na kuwa na processors nyingi tofauti zilizowekwa katika kompyuta moja, lakini kwa sababu processors ni kweli plugged katika soketi moja, uhusiano kati yao ni haraka. Kompyuta nyingi zinaweza kuwa na nyuklia mbili hadi nne, lakini idadi hii inaweza kuongezeka hadi nyuklia 12, kwa mfano. CPU inaweza tu kusindika seti moja ya maelekezo kwa wakati mmoja, basi ni kuchukuliwa kama single-core processor. CPU inaweza kusindika seti mbili za maagizo kwa wakati mmoja, inaitwa processor ya msingi mbili, na seti nne zinaweza kuonwa kuwa processor ya msingi nne. Kadiri nyuklia zilivyo nyingi, ndivyo kompyuta inavyoweza kushughulikia maagizo mengi zaidi kwa wakati mmoja. Baadhi ya wasindikaji kutumia multi-threading, ambayo hutumia virtualized processor cores. Virtualized processor cores ni aitwaye vCPUs. Hizi si nguvu kama cores kimwili lakini inaweza kutumika kuboresha utendaji katika mashine virtual (VMs). Hata hivyo, kuongeza vCPUs zisizohitajika inaweza kuumiza uwiano wa kuunganisha, hivyo lazima kuwe na kuhusu vCPUs nne hadi sita kwa kila kiini cha kimwili.