How does a CPU work?

How does a CPU work?

By: Ghelsie Apostol

INDEX

What is a CPU?

Main Components of a CPU

Workings of a CPU

Performance of a CPU

Importance

References

What is a cpu?

Definition:

A CPU stands for central processing unit it is a hardware made up of little transistors that is able to deal with large amounts of data and processes all the information to carry out instructions to efficiently execute tasks.(BasuMallick, 2024)

CPU is essentially the brain or heart of the computer. In charge of running software and operating systems whether your opening your apps or running a game it all goes through the CPU.

Main components of a cpu

In a CPU we have cores which is an individual processing unit inside a CPU that carry out tasks. Traditionally CPUs are made up of one core that take one task at a time but now we have modern CPUs that can have multiple cores either dual cores or quad cores, meaning it can process multiple tasks simultaneously. Inside those cores we see what components there are in a CPU.

Control Unit

Core 1

Core 3

Core 2

Core 4

ALU

Registers

L1

L1

L1

L1

Cache Memory

L2

L2

L2

L2

Core 1

Core 2

Core

Core 3

Core 4

Share level 3 cache

Inside a CPU

+INFO

Workings of a CPU

2. Decode

3. Execute

1. Fetch

RAM

4. Store

Performance of a Cpu

Clock Speed(Ghz):

Determines how fast a CPU processes tasks

Higher clock speed = faster performance

Number of Cores & Threads:

Cores are independent processing unit inside the CPU

Threads allow each core to handle multiple task simultaneously

The more core & threads the more it will improve your multitasking, gaming, and content creation performances

Cache Memory:

Determines how fast a CPU processes tasks

More cache memory reduces the need to access slower RAM, improving speed

Overclocking Capability:

Some CPUs allow overclocking to boost clock speeds for better performance

Will need to have a good cooling system like an air or liquid cooler

Importance of cpu

• Impact on technology
• CPUs are the core of all our modern technology powering our phones, computers, and smart appliances.
• Foundation for future of tech
• Potential growth for processors to be more faster and power efficient
• Understanding of technology
• Helps to keep us informed and influence our decision on what kind of technology to use or buy

REFerences:

• Stiemer, F. (2023, September 13). How does CPU memory cache work?. PCWorld. https://www.pcworld.com/article/2066872/how-does-cpu-memory-cache-work.html
• Wolf, W. (2007). High-performance embedded computing : architectures, applications, and methodologies (1st ed.). Elsevier/Morgan Kaufmann Publishers.
• Bruns, D. (2013, September). The fastest processor for video editing: along with acquiring the skills of editing on a professional system, video editors need to understand their system's processing needs. What features are important in a CPU for video editing and motion graphics? Why would you chose one CPU over another? How do CPU lines from AMD and Intel differ in these features? Videomaker, 28(3), 64. https://link-gale-com.bow.highline.edu/apps/doc/A342178823/AONE?u=highlinecc&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=c9f9f77c
• Lifting the lid: How computers work. (2002). In Films On Demand. Films Media Group. https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID=102547&xtid=30697
• BasuMallick, C. (2024, March 25). Computer Processor (CPU): Working, types, and importance: Spiceworks - Spiceworks. Spiceworks Inc. https://www.spiceworks.com/tech/hardware/articles/computer-processor-cpu/
• Wu, C., & Buyya, R. (2015, March 6). Cloud Infrastructure Servers: CISC, RISC, rack-mounted, and blade servers. Cloud Data Centers and Cost Modeling. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128014134000118
• Glawion, A. (2022, April 27). CPU base clocks vs boost clocks - what are they and what are the differences?. CGDirector. https://www.cgdirector.com/cpu-base-clocks-vs-boost-clocks/

THANK YOU!

Decode

After the instruction gets taken out of the RAM, the CPU translate the instruction to binary codes (0,1) to understand what it must do

Execute

The CPU executes the instructions, which can be in form of a calculation, memory, or input-output

Fetch

The CPU takes the instructions from the RAM modules that are part of what the program that it is running

We see someone putting a CPU in a motherboard of a computer

COMponents of a CPU

• Control Unit: Directs the data flow of the processor and gives instructions to the other parts. In charge of directing the flow of traffic. (the leader)

• Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Performs mathematical calculations and logical operations such as addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication or comparisons. (the calculator)
• Registers: Small sized high speed storage that hold data temporarily. Where the CPU can access the data directly.
• Cache Memory: High speed memory that holds frequently used data and instructions, making it easy to access the data or instruction compared to the RAM(L1,L2, and L3).

• Clock: A CPU's speed is measured by an interal clock cycle that has pulses that synchronizes each cycle. These cycles are measured in GHz meaning 1 GHz equals to 1 billion cycles per second.

Store

The CPU sends the results of the executed instruction back and saves it in the memory

A9 is the SoC (system on a chip) basically the CPU of an iphone