In the world of computing, we often use many technical terms known as 'jargon'. In this case, we'll look at what a CPU is and what it's used for.
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What is the CPU?
The word CPU refers to Central Processing Unit , and comes from the English "Central Processing Unit" or what is the same: CPU.
When we talk about the CPU, we are referring to the internal microprocessor of our computer , although there are also people who incorrectly use that term to refer to the entire PC.
It is an incorrect way because inside the tower of the PC there are other components that are not only the CPU, although looking at it in a more objective way we could also understand that the tower is the CPU because in the end it is also the processing unit, but It is incorrect.
What is inside the CPU?
Before explaining what a CPU, microprocessor or processor is for, depending on how we want to mention it, it would be logical to explain a little above what it consists of, to understand it a little better.
The CPU is the main component for calculating operations ; depending on what operation it needs to perform, it will do so based on an instruction table.
Example: Sum; Subtraction; Multiplication
This ability to accept different types of instructions and execute them is what makes our computer able to function.
Programs are written in a programming language, which the compiler translates so the processor can perform the calculations and process the data that make them work. For this, the processor also needs main memory, which is RAM , where it stores instructions and data. It also manages the control of input/output (I/O) ports to other devices, such as graphics cards or GPUs (we will delve deeper into this in later posts).
Now that we begin to understand that within the CPU.
It does not consist of a single component, but rather several sets of circuits made up of electronic components , although we will explain these at another time.
The microprocessors are made with miniaturized integrated circuits inside. Since the 70s, single-chip microprocessors have gained ground in the marketplace to completely replace multi-chip processors. This means that today it is common to call them microprocessors or CPUs.
This is because with the advancement of microelectronics and militarization processes, processors were increasingly capable of having a greater number of different components inside, maintaining the area. Over the years we have gone from processors with about 2300 transistors, as in the case of the 8008, to having nearly 3.600.000.000 in the Intel Core i9-9900K.
Yes, I imagine that you all have in mind the typical 3-pin transistor, although those of a microprocessor are based on the same principle, they are built differently. Something that I will also explain in a later post, since it requires a fairly extensive explanation.
What is a CPU for?
The normal operation of a CPU is to execute a sequence of instructions and process the data with them, which are requests made by the "programs".
Among all these tasks, there are four that always work on modern microprocessors. These are based on the Von Neumann architecture and use these operations: fetch, decode, execute, and writeback ; or in other words: read, decode, execute, and write.
With these tasks, the processor is able to make the magic of the programs exist, and that is thanks to four simple steps:
- Read data and instructions you need to carry out your task
- Decode the data so that they are divided and understood by the different parts of the CPU
- Run them to carry out the operations themselves
- Write them recording the resulting data in main memory, either as a final result or for later use
Other CPU functions
Send and receive control / sync signals from the input and output buses. This is used to know the memory cell where to read or write the data and instructions.
Finally, say that this post is just one of many, but that it was a good way to start getting to know this magnificent world. We will expand the information in the future.
