The processor, pictured below as a gray square surrounded by metal, is the "brain" of the computer. The CPU, as it's often referred to, does more than crunch data and tell the computer what to do, it controls virtually everything you can do on your monitor, and either limits or expands your capabilities as a user.
The processor is a silicon chip containing circuitry that's main job is to carry out commands. Some manufacturers of computer processors you might know are Intel or AMD. A processors speed is measured in GHz (gigahertz) and MHz (megahertz). GHz measures the billions (and MHz the millions) of instructions a processor can carry out per second. However, the PC's speed is not totally dependent upon the processor's speed.
The circuitry inside the processor contains several important factors that limit or can expand the user's capabilities on the PC.
Architecture: Measured in units called bits, often you'll find processors that have 16, 32, 64, or 86 bit processors. My processor is a 64-bit processor. A bit is the amount of data processed in one processing cycle (input, processing, storage, and output). The more bits your processor can handle, the better it is for your PC, but this also means that the heat sink needs to be better as well (more on the heat sink in another entry). The processor architecture directly relates to the amount of RAM (random access memory) a processor can access. RAM is the storage that your computer saves your Word documents to before you save them to a file and have the document saved permanently on your hard drive.
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| - Inside of the computer processor |
Each processor contains one or more cores. Their function is simple: more cores equals more speed. But since the processor is faster than the RAM, there is a backflow of data waiting around to be processed. To solve this issue, there's something called a CPU cache. The cache holds between 2-3 MB of data on most mid-range processors and up to 6 or more on high-end ones. The data collect there for the processor to process and send back to either the RAM or the hard drive.
Lastly, there's thermal design power (TDP). The TDP represents the average power in watts the processor dissipates while operating and processing. The lower it is, the better for your PC it is. A lower TDP not only uses better power but it also generates less heat so your PC can operate more efficiently. Most desktop PCs usually have a TDP of about 40 while mobile laptops use about 3 times less power.
That's everything I've learned about processors all this week. Stay tuned for the upcoming post on...the motherboard!!!
Hey Andrew! Your topic seems very interesting and complicated. I'm not well versed in the computer world, but your blog makes it fairly simple to understand even for me. It seems like you've really done your research well enough to be able to translate it for someone who knows nothing about computers. Nice job and good luck!
ReplyDeleteYo Andrew, this seems super complicated and way beyond me but good for you. I don't really understand anything pertaining to computers but it seems like you have everything under control. This is a very interesting topic and honestly really impressive
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ReplyDeleteWow, a lot of that went over my head, but a fair portion of I think I actually learned. I like how you are clearly putting a large amount of research and then basically teaching others through your blog. I think it may benefit you to include metaphors or some other kind of thing to better convey complex ideas in a short amount of text.
Ben Bercich
Hi Andrew or "Andy_D"!
ReplyDeleteIt definitely shows that you're getting pretty knowledgeable about computers and their parts. I personally don't have much of an interest in computers, but your interest in it comes through and makes your blog a fun read. I think some videos explaining the parts and their functions would also be a great way to add a different way of engagement to your blog.
Hi Andrew, your project looks pretty cool. I’m glad your blog is understandable for everyone. Personally, computer specs have intrigued me. I never had clue what RAM was but now, I do. I’ll check periodically to learn even more computer terminology. Also I had one question, what type of computer are you making? One for generic work? Or for something more specific like gaming? Also, there is a good opportunity to fit in a Cyberchase reference somewhere.
ReplyDelete-Sidh
Comment by Eric
ReplyDeleteComputers are on of those things I look at, use every day, and not think about too much. I didn't realize that the processor has that many working parts. I think it's interesting that the designer of computers realize issues and made work-arounds like CPU cache.