Thursday, May 3, 2012

Modern Processors

Modern Processors Description
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the "brain" of the computer--it is the 'compute' in computer. Without the CPU, you have no computer. Computer CPU's (processors) are composed of thin layers of thousands of transistors. Transistors are tiny, nearly microscopic bits of material that will block electricity when the the electricity is only a weak charge, but will allow the electricity pass through when the electricity is strong enough. The transistors transition from being a non-conductor (resist the electricity) to a conductor (they conduct electricity) when the electrical chage is strong enough. The material the transistor is made of loses its resistence to electricity and becomes a conductor when the electricity gets strong enough. The ability of these materials (called semi-conductors) to transition from a non-conducting to a conducting state allows them to take two electrical inputs and produce a different output only when one or both inputs are switched on. A computer CPU is composed of millions (and soon billions) of transistors. Because CPU's are so small, they are often referred to as microprocessors. So, the terms processor, microprocessor and CPU are interchangeable. AMD, IBM, Intel, Motorola, SGI and Sun are just a few of the companies that make most of the CPU's used for various kinds of computers including home desktops, office computers, mainframes and supercomputers.
Modern Processors
Modern Processors
Modern Processors
Modern Processors
Modern Processors
Modern Processors
Modern Processors
Modern Processors
DUO Compact: A Homebrew OISC Processor
Intel tests chip design with 80-core processor

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