IT Chapter 2 Part B

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IT Chapter 2 Part B

• CPU

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CPU

• The CPU is contained on a single integrated
  circuit called the microprocessor.
• Often referred to as the brains of a computer
• The CPU contains two basic components
• Control unit Instructs the rest of the computer
  system on how to follow a program's instructions.
  It directs the movement of data to and from
  processor memory
• Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU) The ALU performs
  both arithmetic and logical operations
• The processor handles most of the operations that
  are required of the computer by processing
  instructions and sending signals out, checking
  for connectivity, and ensuring that operations
  and hardware are functioning properly

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CPU cont.

• The microprocessor is connected to the rest of
  the computer system through three buses,
  including the data bus, address bus, and control
  bus
• Many different companies that produce CPUs,
  including Intel, Advanced Micro-Devices (AMD)TM,
  and Cyrix
• Socket X (X being any numerical number) is a
  descriptive term for the way certain processors
  plug into a computer motherboard so that it makes
  contact with the motherboard's built-in circuitry
  or data bus
• Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket. A ZIF socket
  is designed to make it easy to replace and
  upgrade the microprocessor. A typical ZIF socket
  contains a lever that opens and closes, securing
  the microprocessor in place

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Pentium Processors

• Current family of the Intel Pentium
  microprocessors includes the Pentium II, III, IV,
  and Pentium Ds , Dual Core
• Pentium class is the current standard for
  processor chips
• The combined chips cover less than 2 square
  inches (6 cm2) and comprise over a million
  transistors

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AMD Processors

• Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) processors are the
  Athlon, Thunderbird, Duron series, A Series, FX
  Processors, Phenom II and APUs
• AMD is first to break the historic 1GHz (one
  billion clock cycles per second) with the AMD
  Athlon processor.

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Processor Speed Rating

• CPU descriptions as Pentium 133, Pentium 166, or
  Pentium 200 are well known
• These numbers are specifications that indicate
  the maximum (reliable) operating speed at which
  the CPU can execute instructions.
• The CPU speed is not controlled by the
  microprocessor itself, but by an external clock
  located on the motherboard
• It is typically expressed in megahertz (MHz), and
  the higher the number, the faster the processor
• Generally, three factors determine how much
  information can be processed at any given time.
  These include
• The size of the internal bus
• The size of the address bus
• The processor's speed ratings