Você está na página 1de 7

 Home

 Dictionary

 Tags

 Hardware

Central Processing Unit (CPU)


Definition - What does Central Processing Unit (CPU) mean?
The central processing unit (CPU) is the unit which performs most of the processing
inside a computer. To control instructions and data flow to and from other parts of the
computer, the CPU relies heavily on a chipset, which is a group of microchips located
on the motherboard.
The CPU has two components:

 Control Unit: extracts instructions from memory and decodes and executes them
 Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): handles arithmetic and logical operations

To function properly, the CPU relies on the system clock, memory, secondary storage,
and data and address buses.
This term is also known as a central processor, microprocessor or chip.

Techopedia explains Central Processing Unit (CPU)


The CPU is the heart and brain of a computer. It receives data input, executes
instructions, and processes information. It communicates with input/output (I/O) devices,
which send and receive data to and from the CPU. Additionally, the CPU has an internal
bus for communication with the internal cache memory, called the backside bus. The
main bus for data transfer to and from the CPU, memory, chipset, and AGP socket is
called the front-side bus.
The CPU contains internal memory units, which are called registers. These registers
contain data, instructions, counters and addresses used in the ALU's information
processing.
Some computers utilize two or more processors. These consist of separate physical
CPUs located side by side on the same board or on separate boards. Each CPU has an
independent interface, separate cache, and individual paths to the system front-side
bus. Multiple processors are ideal for intensive parallel tasks requiring multitasking.
Multicore CPUs are also common, in which a single chip contains multiple CPUs.
Share this:

Related Terms
 Input/Output (I/O)
 Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
 Dual Processor (DP)
 Backside Bus (BSB)
 Frontside Bus (FSB)
 CPU Utilization
 Toaster
 Compute
 Lobotomy
 Serial Presence Detect (SPD)

Tech moves fast! Stay ahead of the curve with Techopedia!


Join nearly 200,000 subscribers who receive actionable tech insights from Techopedia.

Related Articles

Raspberry Pi Revolution: Return to Computer Basics?


5 Warning Signs of a Critical Equipment Failure

The Analytical Engine: A Look Back at Babbage's Timeless Designs

More Than Moore - 50 Years of Moore's Law


Is It Time to Refresh Your Office Technology?

How Green Computing Can Improve Energy Efficiency in IT


Related Questions
 What is the difference between CPU contention and CPU ready queue?
 What's the difference between a CPU and a GPU?

Featured Q&A
 What is the difference between little endian and big endian data formats?
 How can a hard drive be erased securely?
 What is the difference between vMotion, VM migration and live migration?

More of your questions answered by our Experts

Related Tags
HardwareData ManagementMicroprocessorsIntegrated Circuits (ICs)Motherboards
Synonyms:

Microprocessor, Central Processor, Chip


RESOURCES

Complimentary Webinar | Do You Need DevOps? | October 25, 2018 11:00 AM EST:

New Whitepaper: Best Ways to Extend Endpoint Management and Security to Mobile
Devices:

Complimentary Webinar - Getting Control of Your BYOD Program with UEM:

Systems Monitoring for Dummies:

What's really going on in that Cisco ASA of yours?:


E-Book: Compliance is Not Enough: Planning a Complete Security Strategy:

LATEST ARTICLES

Edge Computing: The Next Phase of IT

Occupational Hazard: The Pitfall of Automation

Driverless Cars: Levels of Autonomy


Your Video Tech Could Be Putting Your Company at Risk

Eco-Karma: How Climate Change Is Harming Data Infrastructure

Você também pode gostar