Everything You Need to Know About CPUs

One of the most important parts of a computer is its CPU. CPU stands for Central Processing Unit and it is the part of your computer that processes all of the information and does all of the calculations. A CPU is very small, being only about 10mm by 2mm large. This tiny piece of silicone is responsible for processing the millions of operations that run through your computer every second. Without it your computer would not be able to perform its most basic functions.

As technology advances, so do CPUs. Every year new CPUs are being developed that can process information faster and more efficiently. The rate this information is processed is measured in Megahertz (MHz) or Gigahertz (GHz). A Megahertz is equal to 1 million operations per second, while a Gigahertz is equal to 1,000 million operations per second. When you purchase a computer it will tell you how much the CPU can process on the box by displaying it with a digit and the hertz. For example, a 2.0GHz CPU can process 2,000 million operations a second.

Understandably, your CPU has to complete numerous operations to complete a single task. Sometimes there are glitches in your system data that causes it to slow down or stop completely. Your CPU has functions that try to look for these situations so they can be corrected. Major issues are usually due to data corruption or a badly written program. When this happens you may have to reboot your computer. Rebooting the computer completely starts over your CPU so it can try and avoid the problem again.

A computer CPU is the most expensive part of a computer because of its complexity and manufacturing costs. They are made with tiny amounts of gold because it is one of the best conductors of electricity. The gold also ensures that your CPU will never rust or corrode in anyway, so it will last for years to come. They are also expensive because it took a lot of research to develop.

In each CPU you will find hundreds of millions of microscopic switches and transistors. By itself, your CPU is relatively useless. You must put your computer’s operating system through it for the functions to begin. When the computer is turned on it starts inputting information, and the CPU sends out instructions to various parts of the computer like your graphics and sound cards. You must be using the right type of operating system for your CPU to work.

If you ever want to build your own computer you will have to have some of the basic knowledge on how the CPU works. The most important part to keeping your CPU in working order is to keep it near a fan. The fan keeps it cool so the CPU doesn’t overheat, but you need to make sure that it is kept clean. Eventually the fan will build up dust on its fins and grates that you will have to clean off. Be sure to use a special cleaner that is safe for internal computer parts.