What is the CPU, and what does it look like?

Beginners of computer specialists often have a question: "What is the CPU and how does it look like?" Behind this abbreviation lies the phrase "central processor". Some mistakenly believe that this is a system unit. In fact, this term means the main microcircuit of the computer. It is installed on the motherboard connector and is responsible for performing the calculations.

Appearance

First, we'll figure out what the CPU is, and how it looks. As it was said before, this is the main microcircuit in the computer. On one side there is a metal casing on it. It provides its protection and heat removal. Also, it marks the processor and its model. On the other hand, there are legs that install it into the motherboard connector. Another important point is that you can insert a chip in only one way. In all other cases, it simply does not enter the socket.

Specifications

After receiving a response to what the CPU is, and how it looks, we'll find out its main technical characteristics. These include:

• Clock frequency.
• Number of integrated cores.
• The amount of cache memory.

The processor clock frequency characterizes its performance. The number of operations performed per unit of time depends on it. The more it is, the better. Some modern processors work at a frequency of 5 Hz. In the era of single-core CPU this was their main characteristic. Now the situation has changed. One silicon crystal can contain several computational nuclei. They can be 2, 4, 6 or 8. The more they are, the better. This means that the system can create more computational flows, and its performance grows at times. The last cache parameter is a fast memory that is integrated into the processor. The more it is, the better. The most productive CPUs to date are equipped with 8 MB cache.

We choose

Conditionally processors can be divided into 4 classes: office, multimedia, gaming and with maximum performance. The first of them can be attributed to entry-level systems (for example, Athlon 5350 with 4 cores on board). Such systems work perfectly with office applications, allow you to watch movies and listen to music. Multimedia PCs are more productive. They allow, in addition to all the previously listed, to run games at medium and minimum settings. An example is the A-6600 from AMD. In turn, the next class of PCs is focused purely for the launch of toys, including with the maximum settings. Here, in addition to a productive processor, a discrete (external) graphics card must also be installed . There is no alternative to Core i5 for today. But the heart of the computer with uncompromising performance must be Core i7. He will easily cope with any task not only for today, but also in the next 2-3 years. Again, there must be an external more efficient graphics adapter.

Practical recommendations

Often the situation arises in practice when the CPU load is 100. What should I do in this case? This leads to the work of one or more services and applications that "eat up" the resources of the processor. Recommendations in this case are as follows:

• Press "Ctrl", "Alt" and "Delete". In the opened list we find the item "Task Manager".
• Next, go to the "Processes" tab. We look at those of them, which most of all load the processor. If there are such, then select them and click the "Stop" button below.
• Then go to the "Applications" and repeat the previously stated procedure.
• Then we try to restart the application. If the situation repeats, when the processor is fully loaded, restart the computer.
• If this does not solve the problem, then you need to reinstall the program.
• In an extreme case, if nothing helps, then you need to check the system requirements of the application. Maybe your processor is not suitable for this program.

Much depends also on the operating system. Now the most common is Windows 7. CPU usage will be less for Windows 8. Therefore, when choosing an operating system, it's better to pay attention to it.

Summary

In the framework of this article, not only was the answer given to what the CPU was, but also how it looked. Its main characteristics are also given and recommendations for choice are given. In any case, the CPU is the heart of any modern personal computer. The better it is, the more productive your system unit. The more complex tasks you can solve with it.