What does CPU stand for?

Question

and what does it do on your computer?

Answer 1

The Central Processing Unit - it's the main chip that does all the processing which plugs in on the motherboard. When you want to upgrade your computer, it is this unit that you replace, depending if your motherboard can take the better CPU.
It is generally the most expensive part of the computer.

Answer 2

Central Processing Unit (part of a computer system)

CPU is the short name for Central Processing Unit, and is pronounced as separate letters. Next comes the short explanation of the CPU as a whole. It's is the brains of the computer. Sometimes it is also called the processor or central processor.

The CPU will likely be the larger of the chips on the mainboard inside your PC.

What does a CPU do, Part 1

If you bought a new computer, the CPU will be covered by a heatsink and fan. Keep in mind that the heatsink and fan are extremely important. If there are no such components the CPU would get too hot to work and possibly melt or burn out. And be very careful when you want to replace the fan if you need to have a look at your CPU.

What does a CPU do, Part 2

So, it is time to move on the performance of your CPU and the basic functions that it carries out. As it was mentioned before, the CPU for the computer is similar to a human brain. It is artificial but the CPU is where all the logic is applied. Everything that goes on in your PC at some point goes through your CPU. If you cannot get the idea, here is a simple example which will probably help you get the point.

The computer code is basically mathematics. For example, imagine you want to do simple arithmatic. let's say you want to divide 12 into 2. What happens then? You will input 12/2 on the keyboard of your PC. The keyboard will then turn this information into a sequence of ones and zeros (the code, which the computer "reads").

After that this will be registered and then sent to the CPU for analysis. The CPU will see that the addition logic is required and use this inbuilt logic to send the answer of 6.

As the brain of your PC, the CPU allows you to operate software. And, of course, there is a connection between the power of the computer and the work of the CPU.

What does a CPU do, Part 3

The more powerful the CPU the more kinds of applications you will be able to run on your system. Software packaging always tells you the minimum amount of processing power you'll need to use that program. If you don't have enough power in your CPU, the software will run slowly or improperly.

A top-of-the-line CPU will perform tasks more quickly than an older processor. The difference in speed can be astonishing, especially when doing jobs that require heavy number crunching.

If you are working with graphics and computer �assisted design you should know that a modern, powerful CPU is essential to manipulate the massive amounts of information found in complex and memory-intensive graphics.

What does a CPU do, Part 4

And now, let's say a few more things about the work of the CPU and its performance...After all, this is the goal of this tutorial, to give you enough useful information, which can help you. The CPU's performance is determined in two areas: internal and external. The internal performance means the performance within the central processor. The chip's design (CISC or RISC), architecture (i.e., 486, Pentium or PowerPC), clock speed and memory caches all influence how quickly the CPU can perform tasks. And the external performance refers to the rest part of the system.

Have I answered the questions, What Does a CPU Do? I hope so. But here's more...

The amount of RAM, the capacity of the data bus and the motherboard circuitry all influence what any CPU, no matter how powerful, can accomplish.

If you have a system which is either old or too sophisticated, then the work of the processor will be inadequate. So, make sure your system is a good match for your processor.

There's little you can do to remove built-in roadblocks to CPU performance, but you can always add more RAM, especially if you have only four to eight megabytes.

Modern operating systems require at least 32 megabytes to provide good performance, and more megabytes is even better. Memory is cheap; double the amount you have now and you'll think you've just bought a new computer. These days 256-512 megabytes of RAM is the norm for new computers.

If your job, or hobby is connected somehow with graphics, then you surely will need more RAM.

An old video adapter can also slow things down. Consider a new video adapter with more built-in memory and a coprocessor that will take the load off your CPU.



What does a CPU do, Part 5

Well, we have finally reached the end of this tutorial. Now, you have surely learnt more things that you used to know before you read this tutorial. And you have hopefully found the answer to "what does a cpu do?"

Answer 3

Central Processing Unit

Answer 4

Note: The central processing unit is *not* the same thing as the motherboard, as someone just suggested. The motherboard is a medium through which the processor can communicate with memory and I/O devices.

Also, the processor is not "where all the software is" - nothing is stored in the processor, it executes commands in a sequence, specified by the software that lives in *memory*. The analogy with the human brain is ok at a basic level, but falls appart quickly when you try and explain exactly what the processor does. The wikipedia page of processors is very good.

People should refrain from providing information if they obviously don't know what they're talking about.

Also, people like Vijay shouldn't copy and past whole webpages as answers and pass it off as their own. If you quote from a webpage, cite the source. If a whole page is useful, paste a link to it.

Answer 5

CPU stands for Central Processing Unit.The CPU is responsible for undertaking and controlling all the processing of data that has been read into the computer system by the input device(e.g Keyboard,Mouse etc.)and subsequently for controlling the eventual output of the information to the user.CPU consist of two components the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) and the Control Unit (CU).The ALU can carry out any of the four rules of arithmetic: addtion,subtraction,multiplication and division.The CU provide necessary control over the main memory,ALU and input devices to achieve the objectives of the program being used.

Answer 6

CPU stands for Central Processing Unit.

It is a processing unit which process the raw data and turns it into information. It has three elements. Control unit, arithmetic and logic unit and immediate access store. It controls your computers input and outputs, it make calculations and logical decisions, and it holds the memory for holding your data and programs.

Answer 7

Central Processing Unit

Heart of the PC. All process & task will be managed by CPU

Answer 8

Consider the analogy. You are at a desk, working on a problem. You have filing cabinets (Hard Drive) Pencil (keyboard, input device) Pen (Output device, printer) Notepad for notes (RAM Memory) and, of course, you (Central Processing Unit) getting, using and processing raw data to usable information.
The CPU for all its importance is simply a chip, on your motherboard, within your 'base unit'

Answer 9

As said above. It like the Brain and send everything where it need to go. If, you want to print then the CPU send the information to the printer. If, you want to save something on the Hard Drive the CPU send the information to the Hard Drive. It do this through the North and South Bridge, which gives you your next question. What the heck is a North and South Bridge? :-D

Answer 10

Computer processing unit