“What is processor in computer” Many times we hear the word processor while buying a mobile or computer. Maybe many people ask what is the processor and what is its function. Processor or CPU (Central Processing Unit) is basically a chip/hardware inside a computer or mobile, which performs various functions by following the commands given by the software.
Thousands of commands can be processed every second by modern CPUs. CPU or processor is considered as the main chip or brain of the computer/mobile.
The main attraction of any new device is its processor. But most of us have no detailed idea about processor. Let’s know what this much discussed processor is and what is the function of the processor.
As mentioned earlier, this post discusses the basic principles of general processors. This is not an academic discussion, but just a simple idea for the curious reader. It is not for your class or academic work. Please consult your textbook or teacher for academic needs.
Table of Contents
What is processor in computer?
The processor accepts various commands in computers, smartphones and such devices and completes the work accordingly. No computer or smartphone can run any program without a processor. It takes command input and outputs accordingly. A piece of hardware, the processor itself receives instructions from other hardware and software. The processor then “processes” the command and executes the command by the associated hardware or software.
For example, suppose you want to login to a PC with a password. You typed the password through the keyboard and entered. The processor will then compare the password you supply to the password that is already stored on your PC.If the password matches, the processor will log you in and take you to the next screen. A software error message will be displayed on the screen if it doesn’t match. It can also play a warning sound on the speaker.
The central processing unit, or CPU, is the name of the processor. A computer can, however, include multiple processors, including a graphics processing unit (GPU). CPU is the most crucial of these.
Random access memory, or RAM, is where commands are sent to processor units. The CPU decodes and executes every instruction it receives to produce the desired output.
What is Linux ? What are the advantages of Linux based operating system?
Intel and AMD are the most popular processors in computers today. Intel’s Core and AMD’s Ryzen processors are very popular in the world of desktop processors.
On the other hand, chip manufacturers such as Apple, Nvidia, Qualcomm, MediaTek, etc. mostly manufacture processors for mobile devices.
Where is the processor?
Before knowing the different parts of the processor and the functions of these parts, it is important to know which hardware of the computer/phone is called the processor. Typically, the motherboard is where a computer’s processor is found.
The CPU socket or CPU slot houses the processor. To ensure that the processor is firmly fastened to the motherboard, a lever is attached to the CPU slot.
In the case of mobiles, the processor is connected to the motherboard. It is more tightly clamped than PC. Generally no one changes mobile processor. However, computer processors are seen to change users.
Different parts of the processor
It’s crucial to comprehend the processor’s structure before learning how it operates. A computer processor has four main components: ALU, FPU, registers, and cache memory.
All of the computer’s arithmetic and logic operations are handled by the ALU, or arithmetic logic unit. With integers, the ALU works. On the other hand, a floating point unit, or FPU, works with floating-point numbers, whose numerical range contains one decimal place.
Registers store various instructions received from different parts of the computer. The register dictates what the ALU needs to do and stores its information.
Processor has L2 and L3 memory. Due to this memory, it is possible for the processor to save the cache data locally. As a result, the processor itself can quickly complete the given command without exchanging data from RAM. Through this the CPU becomes more efficient and works faster.
How does the processor work?
We got an idea about what the processor is and its different parts. Now let’s know how the processor works.
A look at the cores of the processors shows that they actually use the same type of process. These processes are called fetch-execute cycles. The three steps of this cycle are: Fetch, Decode and Execute.
Fetch: Fetching is the first step in the fetch-execute cycle. In this step a processor fetches or accepts an instruction. These instructions given to the processor are sent from the RAM to the processor.
Decode: The instruction from the register is sent to the next stage and the processor processes the given instruction using the decoder. The processor then converts the given set of instructions into some signal, so that other parts of the processor can use this information to perform tasks.
Execute: At the end of this step the processor executes the decoded instructions. Other processor components receive instructions to be executed.
After executing the given instruction it saves the register. This increases processor speed, as the processor can use previously processed information before executing a similar instruction the next time.
Processor specifications: We know everything from the type of processor to its working process. Now let’s know about some essential specifications related to processor or CPU.
32-bit and 64-bit processors
Processors are generally of two types: 32-bit and 64-bit. It depends on how many bits of information can be exchanged at the same time between different parts of the processor.
32-bit processors are effective for their processing power. However, since more bits mean a more powerful processor (by the same standard), the use of 64-bit processors has increased significantly recently.
Clock Speed: Clock speed is a measure of how many instructions a processor can process per second. The unit of measurement for clock speed is the gigahertz. Clock speed is considered the core of processor specifications. The performance of the processor increases with clock speed.
L2/L3 cache: The processor stores commonly used information in L2 and L3 memory. Instead of relying on RAM to execute each instruction, the processor uses this memory for general information.
Being part of the processor, L2 and L3 caches work much faster than RAM. The more cache, the faster the PC will run. What is processor in computer
How does the processor core work?
In earlier days computer processors had only one core. Which means that the processor or CPU is capable of performing only one given task at a given time.
As a result of the hard work of hardware engineers, we got the multi-core processor that has become the standard today. A multi-core processor has multiple cores and is capable of performing multiple tasks at the same time.
Today’s computers typically feature two to four cores. These setups are called dual core and quad core respectively. Some processors have up to 64 cores depending on the task.
What is a mobile processor?
As you already know, not only the computer, but also the smartphone in your hand is powered by the processor. Basically the processor made for mobile devices and portable computers is called mobile processor. What is processor in computer.
There are some structural distinctions between computer CPUs and mobile processors. For example, although the GPU in a computer is separate, the GPU of a mobile processor is added to the CPU. Although there are structural differences, both processors work on essentially the same principles.
What is the difference between mobile and computer processors?
The CPUs in computers and mobile phones differ in a number of ways. First off, a computer’s CPU can often run at the speed that is specified for it. But the mobile processor does not work at its stated speed most of the time because it will heat up the processor a lot which is harmful for the device. Additionally, compared to mobile CPUs, computer processors use more energy and produce more heat.
Some of the most effective Android phone security tips !
Is the processor damaged?
Like any other electronic parts, the processor can be damaged or become unusable. But if your PC has proper cooling system then its processor will be protected from high temperature which will protect the processor from thermal damage. This also applies to phones.
What is the processor? How does the processor work?
Processor or CPU is a very important part of computer/mobile phone (and many other devices). Processors help the computer run various programs by processing data. Recently there has been a huge improvement in processors.
Along with the rise in popularity of multi-core processors, the invention of technologies such as hyper-threading has allowed computers to operate more quickly and efficiently. If you have read the above article about processor or CPU well, you must have got a basic idea about processor by now.
If you have any query related to the processor you can let us know in the comment section. We’ll do our best to correctly respond to your query.
