When we talk about processor of a computer, we are actually talking about the heart of the machine. It is an integrated electronic circuit that is responsible for performing all the calculations that the computer executes: all the arithmetic, logical, input and output operations, as well as other basic instructions that are transmitted from an operating system.
Being the central element of any computer, the processor is decisive in the performance of our computer. Its characteristics may vary, depending on the use that is going to be given to it. In any case, it is essential to know it thoroughly: What is it, what are the parts that make it up and how does it work?.
The terms processor, central processing unit (CPU) and microprocessor are different ways of calling this vital element for our equipment. Today the word processor has ended up imposing itself, displacing CPU, which is actually just one of the processors that we can find in a PC.
Also Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) it's another processor, just like certain hard drives that are technically capable of some processing task.
Elements or parts of a processor
Generally, the different components of a computer's processor are connected to the computer's RAM and hard drive. In some models, everything is installed on a plate called socket (in Spanish it could be translated as socket), although many laptops have directly integrated processors. These are the basic elements or parts of a processor:
Control unit
It is a manager of input and output operations. Its function is to control the operations of the PC, but without carrying out any operation or task that requires data processing or storage. These are the basic functions of the Processor Control Unit:
- Control of data transfers between the other units of the computer.
- Management and coordination of the different units of the computer.
- Obtaining and interpreting instructions coming from memory.
- Communication with input and output devices for data transfers.
Arithmetic or Logic Unit
ALU call (Arithmetic-Logic Unit), this unit is one of the most important parts of the processor, since it is in charge of decision making and mathematical operations. It is formed by two subdivisions, each one of them in charge of carrying out a specific function:
- one who does arithmetic operations, basis for calculations and more complex operations for the computer to work.
- Another person in charge of logical operations (compare, select, group or merge data).
Memory unit
Also called a "storage unit." This is the unit that provides information to other units of the computer. The size of the memory determines the power, capacity and speed of our computer. Its functions are summarized as follows:
- Storage of data and instructions necessary for the different processes.
- Storage of the intermediate and final results of processing.
Here we must mention the importance of cache, much faster and smaller than the RAM directly integrated into the processor, essential to speed up processes. Current processors have three levels of cache. The maximum level is called L1, capable of running at 1.600 GB/s or even more.
Processor core (core)
El core or core of the computer It is a block that is inside the processor and whose main function is to execute instructions. The more cores our computer has, the more tasks it can carry out simultaneously. Today's computers can have 2, 4, 8 or even 16 cores. The performance difference is often noticeable when working with programs that use multiple cores.
Each core works with a certain frequency: base (normal) or turbo, which forces the processor to deliver the maximum of its power. The Gamers They usually recommend computers with a minimum of 4 cores to be able to play without problems.
How does a processor work?
Every time we perform an operation with a computer (for example, starting an application), the processor must interpret the instructions of the operating system or software. Depending on your capacity, these necessary processing operations may be faster or slower. It is what is known as "Processing speed" of the CPU.
To carry out its operations, the processor executes the following three steps:
- Fetch or search for instructions, usually from a RAM memory.
- Decoding, the process of converting instructions into messages recognizable to the other components of the computer.
- Execution: Once decoded, the instructions are sent to each component so that the desired operation can be performed.
So far our brief review of what a computer processor is. And we say brief because we could go even deeper into everything we have exposed. We hope that this is enough, at least, so that any reader of this website can get a rough idea of what is in the heart of your computer.