Friday, September 3, 2010

The Computer's Core: CPU and Memory THe CPU: The Real Computer CPU:(microprocessor)

Bit
Byte- 8 bits
KB-Kilobyte 1024
MB-Megabyte 1024^2
TB-Terabyte 1024^3
PB-Petabyte 1024^4
EB -Exabyte 1024^5
ZB-Zettabyte 1024^6
YB-Yottabyte 1024^7

CPU: Microprocessor
  • Interprets and executes the instructions in each program.
  • Supervises arithmetic and logical data manipulations.
  • Communicates with all the other parts of the computer system indirectly through memory.
  • An extraordinarily complex collection of electronic circuits.
  • Housed along with other chips and electronic components on the motherboard.

Compatibilty

  • All software is not necessarily compatible with every CPU.
  • Software is written for the Power PC family of processors used in Mactinosh computers won't run on Windows.
  • Both systems run on PCs powered by Intel's microprocessor.
  • CPUs in the same family are generally designed to be backward compatible.
  • Newer processors can process all of the instructions handled by earlier models.

Performance

  • Applications require faster machines to produce satisfactory results.
  • A computer's overall performance is determined by its microprocessor's internal clock speed.
  • Measured in units called giga hertz (GHz) for millons of clock cycles per second.
  • THe architechture and word size of the processor.
  • High-end stations and servers use 69-bit processors.
  • Most PCs and Macintoshes use 32-bit processors.
  • Some embedded and special-purpose computers still use 8- and 16-bit processors.
  • Techniques for speeding up a computer's performance:
  1. Parallel processing
  2. Server clusters

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