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Processor

A processor is an integrated electronic circuit that performs the calculations that run a computer. Most other processes are dependent on the operations of it.

Most people use the word “processor” interchangeably with the term “CPU” nowadays, it is technically not correct since the CPU is just one of the processors inside a personal computer (PC).

The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is another processor, and even some hard drives are technically capable of performing some processing.

Techopedia Explains

Their purpose is to receive input in the form of program instructions and execute trillions of calculations to provide the output that the user will interface with.

It includes an arithmetical logic and control unit (CU), which measures capability in terms of the following:

Ability to process instructions at a given time.
Maximum number of bits/instructions.
Relative clock speed.

Each processor is constituted of one or more individual processing units called “cores”. Each core processes instructions from a single computing task at a certain speed, defined as “clock speed” and measured in gigahertz (GHz). Since increasing clock speed beyond a certain point became technically too difficult. Modern computers now have several processor cores (dual-core, quad-core, etc.). They work together to process instructions and complete multiple tasks at the same time.

Modern desktop and laptop computers now have a separate processor to handle graphic rendering and send output to the display monitor device.

Caches are small and fast memories that store copies of data for frequent use, and act similarly to a random access memory (RAM).

The CPU carries out his operations through the three main steps of the instruction cycle: fetch, decode, and execute.

Fetch: the CPU retrieves instructions, usually from a RAM.

Decode: a decoder converts the instruction into signals to the other components of the computer.

Execute: the now decoded instructions are sent to each component so that the desired operation can be performed.

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