CPU

CPU

Alternatively referred to as the brain of the computer, processor, central processor, or microprocessor, the CPU (pronounced as C-P-U) was first developed at Intel with the help of Ted Hoff in the early 1970's and is short for Central Processing Unit. The computer CPU is responsible for handling all instructions it receives from hardware and software running on the computer.

Note: Many new computer users may improperly call their computer and sometimes their monitor the CPU. When referring to your computer or monitor it is proper to refer to them as either the "computer" or "monitor" and not a CPU.

In the picture below, is an example of what the top and bottom of an Intel Pentiumprocessor looks like. The processor is placed and secured into a compatible CPU socketfound on the motherboard, and because of the heat it produces it is covered with a heat sink to help keep it cool and running smoothly.

As can be seen by the above picture, the CPU chip is usually in the shape of a square or rectangle and has one notched corner to help place the chip into the computer properly. On the bottom of the chip are hundreds of connector pins that plug into each of the corresponding holes on the socket. Today, most CPU's resemble the picture shown above; however, Intel and AMD have also experimented with slot processors that were much larger and slid into a slot on the motherboard. Also, over the years there have been dozens of different types of sockets on motherboards, each socket only supports so many different processors, and each has its own pin layout.

Components of the CPU

In the CPU, the primary components are the ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) that performs mathematical, logical, and decision operations and the CU (Control Unit) that directs all of the processors operations.

Over the history of computer processors, the speed (clock speed) and capabilities of the processor have dramatically improved. For example, the first microprocessor was the Intel 4004 that was released November 15, 1971 and had 2,300 transistors and performed 60,000 operations per second. The Intel Pentium Processor shown on this page has 3,300,000 transistors and performs around 188,000,000 instructions per second.

Types of CPUs

There are two main types of CPUs found in computers today: 32-bit and 64-bit. In addition to this, CPUs can be broken down into types based on the manufacturer and version as well.

Connectivity

Computer networks are the main connectivity mechanism for passing data in an electronic environment. A network is composed of several computers connected by a wired or wireless medium so data and other resources can pass through for sharing.

A computer network may be as small as two computers connected by wire or wireless medium to as big as millions of computers connected throughout the internet. There are generally five classifications of network connectivity which are personal area network (PAN), local area network (LAN), campus area network (CAN), metropolitan are network (MAN) and wide area network (WAN).

Computer networks may also be classified according to the hardware technology used in connecting each device. The classification include Ethernet, wireless, LAN, Home PNA and power line communication.

The arrangement of computers in a network can also vary. The network topology refers to geometric forms in network connectivity. This could also describe the way computers see each other in relation to their logical order. Examples of network typologies are mesh, ring, star, bys, star-bus combination, tree or hierarchical typologies. It is good to note that although topology implies form, network topology is really independent of the physical placement or layout of computers. For instance, a star topology does literally mean that computers form a star but it means that computers are connected using a hub which has many points to imply a star form.

Perhaps the biggest aspect of computer connectivity is the use of communications protocol. In a network, different formats of data are being shared by different computer systems which may have different hardware and software specifications. Communications protocol tries to break down the disparity so that data could be shared and appropriately processed.

Communications protocol are the set of rules and standards by which data is represented, signaled, authenticated and corrected before or after sending over the channel of communication. For example, in a voice communication like the case of radio dispatcher talking to mobile stations, they follow a standard set of rules on how to exchange communication.