Understanding the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and Its Components, Study notes of Computer Science

An in-depth look into the central processing unit (cpu), its components, and related technologies such as multi-core, cpu sockets, chipsets, and various types of processors from intel and amd. Learn about the functions of a cpu, including fetching instructions, decoding instructions, executing instructions, managing registers, controlling program flow, handling interrupts, managing caches, and coordinating with other system components.

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CPU(Central Processing Unit)
Central Processing Unit (CPU) consists of the following features
CPU is considered as the brain of the computer.
CPU performs all types of data processing operations.
It stores data, intermediate results, and instructions (program).
It controls the operation of all parts of the computer.
CPU itself has following three components.
Memory or Storage Unit
Control Unit
ALU(Arithmetic Logic Unit)
Memory or Storage Unit
It stores all the data and the instructions required for processing.
It stores intermediate results of processing.
It stores the final results of processing before these results are released to an output
device.
All inputs and outputs are transmitted through the main memory.
Control Unit
It is responsible for controlling the transfer of data and instructions among other units
of a computer.
It manages and coordinates all the units of the computer.
It obtains the instructions from the memory, interprets them, and directs the operation
of the computer.
It communicates with Input/Output devices for transfer of data or results from storage.
It does not process or store data.
ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
This unit consists of two subsections namely,
Arithmetic Section
Logic Section
Arithmetic Section
Function of arithmetic section is to perform arithmetic operations like addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division. All complex operations are done by making
repetitive use of the above operations.
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CPU(Central Processing Unit)

Central Processing Unit (CPU) consists of the following features −

 CPU is considered as the brain of the computer.

 CPU performs all types of data processing operations.

 It stores data, intermediate results, and instructions (program).

 It controls the operation of all parts of the computer.

CPU itself has following three components.

 Memory or Storage Unit

 Control Unit

 ALU(Arithmetic Logic Unit)

Memory or Storage Unit

 It stores all the data and the instructions required for processing.

 It stores intermediate results of processing.

 It stores the final results of processing before these results are released to an output

device.

 All inputs and outputs are transmitted through the main memory.

Control Unit

 It is responsible for controlling the transfer of data and instructions among other units

of a computer.

 It manages and coordinates all the units of the computer.

 It obtains the instructions from the memory, interprets them, and directs the operation

of the computer.

 It communicates with Input/Output devices for transfer of data or results from storage.

 It does not process or store data.

ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

This unit consists of two subsections namely,

 Arithmetic Section

 Logic Section

Arithmetic Section

Function of arithmetic section is to perform arithmetic operations like addition,

subtraction, multiplication, and division. All complex operations are done by making

repetitive use of the above operations.

Logic Section Function of logic section is to perform logic operations such as comparing, selecting, matching, and merging of data.

Functions of a CPU

1. Fetching Instructions:

The CPU normally retrieves instructions from the computer’s memory in a

specific order set by the programme counter

2. Decoding Instructions:

The control unit of the CPU decodes the instructions after they have been

fetched

3. Executing Instructions:

After decoding, the CPU carries out the required calculations, data

manipulations, or control flow activities to carry out the instructions. The

actual processing happens in this area. Addition, subtraction, comparisons,

and Boolean operations are only a few of the mathematical and logical

operations that the arithmetic logic unit (ALU) is in charge of doing.

4. Managing Registers: The CPU features a number of registers that are used

to store data and interim findings

5. Controlling Program Flow: The control portion of the CPU directs the flow

of instructions and regulates the order of operations.

6. Handling Interrupts: The CPU manages interrupts, which are signals that

momentarily stop a programme from running normally.

7. Managing Caches: Caches, which are compact and quick memory modules

placed closer to the CPU than the main memory, may be present in the CPU.

8. Coordinating with Other System Components:

Through interfaces and buses, the CPU communicates with various system

parts, including memory, input/output devices, and peripheral devices. It

manages the transmission of information and commands between various

parts, guaranteeing proper synchronisation and communication.

9. Arithmetic and Logic Operations: The CPU performs basic arithmetic

operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It also

handles logical operations such as comparisons, bitwise operations, and

boolean operations.

10. Control Unit: The CPU includes a control unit that coordinates and

manages the execution of instructions.

11. Virtual Memory Management: The CPU works in conjunction with the

operating system to manage virtual memory, which allows processes to use

more memory than physically available. It handles memory addressing, page

table lookups, and swapping data between RAM and disk storage.

12. Interrupt Handling: The CPU handles interrupts, which are signals from

hardware devices or software that require immediate attention. It suspends

the current execution, saves the state, and transfers control to the appropriate

interrupt handler.

13. I/O Operations: The CPU communicates with input and output devices,

such as keyboards, mice, displays, and storage devices. It coordinates data

transfers between these devices and the computer’s memory.

Processor performance is usually a number in either MHz (megahertz) or GHz (gigahertz.) That number represents how many times the internal clock inside the CPU ticks in cycles per second. The clock inside a 2.5GHz CPU ticks 2.5 billion times each second. But clock frequency isn’t a complete measure of performance. Efficiency — how much work can be done by the CPU in each clock cycle — is also important. This is measured in terms of instructions per cycle, often abbreviated as IPC. A CPU with a very high clock frequency, but low IPC, may not perform as well as a CPU with a lower clock frequency and high IPC.

  1. Hyper threading Basically, hyperthreading allows the CPU to work on two different threads (sequences of instructions for the CPU to carry out) at the same time. Unlike core technology, hyperthreading doesn’t enable the micro-processor to do multiple things at once. Instead, it allows the processor to work on two different things simultaneously.
  2. Cache Cache is on-board memory for your processor. It’s like RAM, but it offers even quicker access, since it’s located directly on your processor. While it only presents a small fraction of storage space as compared to your RAM and your hard drive, it is extremely fast and is used for the most important data relative to the tasks you are carrying out on your computer.
  3. Thermal Design Power (TDP) Thermal Design Power, or TDP, is the measure of the average maximum power a processor can dissipate while running software in watts. Essentially, it’s an indicator of the quality of cooling system you will need in order to keep your CPU at an acceptable temperature. The lower the TDP of a processor, the less cooling it will need in order to operate at acceptable temperature levels. The higher the TDP of a CPU and the more cooling you will need. Some Types of Processors Intel Celeron Celeron is a brand name given by Intel to a number of different low-end IA-32 and x86-64 computer microprocessor models targeted at low-cost personal computers.Celeron processors are compatible with IA-32 computer programs, but their performance is typically significantly lower when compared to similar CPUs of higher-priced Intel CPU brands. The Celeron brand will often have less cache memory, or have advanced features intentionally disabled. These missing features can have a variable impact on performance, but is often very substantial. Introduced in April 1998, the first Celeron-branded CPU was based on the Pentium II. Subsequent Celeron-branded CPUs were based on the Pentium III, Pentium 4, Pentium M, and Intel Core. P4family Pentium 4 is a brand by Intel for an entire series of single-core CPUs for desktops, laptops and entry- level servers. The processors were shipped from November 20, 2000, until August 8, 2008. They were single core processors originally based on an architecture code-named Willamette and were used in desktop and laptop computers until the late 2000s. These processors were the successor to the Pentium III The first Pentium 4 processor cores were capable of speeds from 1. 3 to 2 GHz. They utilized a 180 nm fabrication process and was the first CPU to use the NetBurst microarchitecture. The highest speed Pentium 4 was a Prescott version, clocked at 3.8 GHz. Laptop versions of the Pentium 4

processor were developed as well, called the Pentium 4-M and Mobile Pentium 4. These processors used less wattage when running and generated less heat, both of which were necessities for use in a laptop. Hyper-threading technology was also introduced with the Pentium 4 processor. Xeon dual core Xeon is a brand of x86 microprocessors designed, manufactured, and marketed by Intel, targeted at the non-consumer workstation, server, and embedded system markets. It was introduced in June 1998. Xeon processors are based on the same architecture as regular desktop-grade CPUs, but have some advanced features such as support for ECC memory, higher core counts, support for larger amounts of RAM, larger cache memory and extra provision for enterprise-grade reliability, availability and serviceability (RAS) features responsible for handling hardware exceptions through the Machine Check Architecture. Quad core A quad-core processor is a type of computer processor architecture that has four processor cores embedded within a single processor dye.Each of the four cores can execute and process instructions independently of the other cores. Quad-core designs by combining two dual-core ones on a single die with a unified cache, hence any two working dual-core dies can be used, as opposed to producing four cores on a single die and requiring all four to work to produce a quad-core CPU. From an architectural point of view, ultimately, single CPU designs may make better use of the silicon surface area than multiprocessing cores, so a development commitment to this architecture may carry the risk of obsolescence. Finally, raw processing power is not the only constraint on system performance. Two processing cores sharing the same system bus and memory bandwidth limits the real-world performance advantage Core 2 Duo Core 2 is a brand encompassing a range of Intel's consumer 64-bit x86-64 single-, dual-, and quad- core microprocessors based on the Core microarchitecture. The single- and dual-core models are single-die, whereas the quad-core models comprise two dies, each containing two cores, packaged in a multi-chip module. The introduction of Core 2 relegated the Pentium brand to the mid-range market, and reunified laptop and desktop CPU lines for marketing purposes under the same product name, which previously had been divided into the Pentium 4, Pentium D, and Pentium M brands.The Core 2 brand was introduced on July 27, 2006. Max. CPU clock rate 1.06 GHz to 3.33 GHz Core i3 processor Developed and manufactured by Intel, the Core i3 is a dual-core computer processor, available for use in both desktop and laptop computers. It is one of three types of processors in the "i" series (also called the Intel Core family of processors). The Core i3 processor is available in multiple speeds, ranging from 1.30 GHz up to 3.50 GHz, and features either 3 MB or 4 MB of cache. It utilizes either the LGA 1150 or LGA 1155 socket on a motherboard. Core i3 processors are most often found as dual-core, having two cores. However, a select few high-end Core i3 processors are quad-core, featuring four cores. The most common type of RAM used with a Core i3 processor is DDR3 1333 or DDR3 1600. Power usage varies for the Core i3 processors:  Slower speeds (1.30 GHz to 1.80 GHz) use 11.5 W, 15 W or 25 W of power

 Sempron (Thoroughbred, Thorton, Barton) (2004)  Mobile Sempron