What is a CPU or Central Processing Unit?
Many terms rule the big world of computing and electronics, and it can be confusing at times. Motherboard, hard drive, RAM or GPU, each has its own functions and many variations. The processor or CPU is arguably the most important of all. But what exactly?
CPU: what is it?
The term CPU means Central processor and translates as “Central Generating Unit”. As the name suggests, it is the main component that defines a computing device. The CPU can be found almost everywhere: in a computer, a smart watch, a thermostat or even a smartphone. It is especially responsible process and follow the instructions programs. When working with instructional software, both present themselves the brain of the device.
CPU performs billions microscopic transistors on a single computer chip. Consequently, they use these transistors to perform calculations that are essential for running various applications. They are actually little doors that open or close. The latter thus transmits ones or zeros that translate to all actions on the device, whether it’s watching videos or writing e-mails.
What exactly does the CPU do?
Basically, the CPU interpret the signals binaries to execute later actions, calculations and finally to realize apps and programs. After that, the process takes place in three stages: recovery, decoding and execution.
Recovery
The CPU first fetches instructions from the device’s memory (RAM). It then stores them in a part of the control unit called the IR or instruction register.
Decipher
After this memory, the CPU sends the instruction from the IR to its decoder. In this second step, the instructions are converted into signals.
Execution
The decoded signals are then routed to the appropriate destinations in the CPU. This is especially true for the implementation phase.
How do you know if your CPU is good?
Here are some features that make a CPU good.
clock speed
The clock speed usually indicates the speed of the processor. It shows especially exact number of instructions that the CPU can handle in one second. By the way, with each new generation, processor clock speeds have improved a lot. However, the speed of this progress gradually began to decline. This is partly due to additional heat production and higher energy consumption. Manufacturers later found it more profitableupgrade processors in many other ways. This allowed a modern processor to outperform a decade-old processor, even if it had a higher clock speed.
nuclei
Starting with dual-core and quad-core, multi-core processors they made a considerable revolution and easily took their place. Therefore, manufacturers prefer to install several processors on one chip instead of increasing the clock speed. Moreover, premium processors are arriving today 32 hearts, 64 cores and more. For the average user, these are quite exaggerated. On the other hand, they are ideal for video editors, game streamers and users of demanding applications.
Hyper Threading
Hyper-threading is a technological innovation of Intel. It allows only one processor core to run like two division of workloads for parallel processing.
The importance of the processor
Undoubtedly, today, when it comes to the overall performance of a system, the CPU is no more important than ever. Nevertheless, it still plays a radical role device response and speed.
Moreover, CPU performance depends on the user. For example, for gamers, higher clock speeds will be more beneficial to them. On the other hand, for more serious work like CAD and video editing, a higher CPU core will keep them happy. However, you should always keep in mind that the CPU is part of the system. Thus, providing enough RAM and fast memory is essential to provide the necessary data to the CPU.
And the role in the games?
If the GPU of the graphics card or motherboard renders the game’s graphics, such as landscape and animation, the CPU manages calculations for game mechanics, artificial intelligence (AI), and mouse and keyboard inputs.
Previously, games did not use multi-core operation. But that is no longer the case today. Instead, it works more efficiently based on modern game titles more than four cores. This means that the best CPU, especially for gaming, is multi-threaded. And it’s clearly within the planned budget, with at least four, or even six, cores.
CPU is slow, what are the reasons?
There can be various reasons behind CPU slowdown. There are several of them, but we can mention a few of them aging, overheating, insufficient power or poor ventilation. In addition, there are malware can negatively affect or even destroy system resources. So, there are ways to protect yourself from it.
How to properly care for your CPU
Indeed, there are ways to keep the processor in good condition. First of all, the fans of the device (for example, a computer) should be clean. As explained above, poor ventilation can cause a slow CPU. Therefore, the device must be in one place well ventilated.
Here is also a solution to protect the system from excessive CPU usage by malware. you will have to use a antivirus/anti-malware software reliable. This will prevent or at least protect resource thieves like cryptojackers. You can also remove some pre-installed software that consumes resources unnecessarily.
Therefore, it is also important to replace the thermal blade every few years. This helps identify hardware issues and troubleshoot problems more deeply when they occur.
