Sunday, November 23, 2008
What is Central Processing Unit (CPU)?
Sometimes we refer to the CPU as the system box or brain. It is the computer chip that does all of the processing for the computer. Inside this tiny chip are millions of transistors (electrical switches) that are connected so they can carry out mathematical calculations. Everything a computer does is essentially a mathematical calculation.
Did You Know?
- The first single chip CPU was the Intel 4004, a 4-bit processor meant for a calculator (not Intel 8086). It processed data in 4 bits, but its instructions were 8 bits long. Program and Data memory were separate, 1K data memory and a 12-bit PC for 4K program memory (in the form of a 4 level stack, used for CALL and RET instructions). There were also sixteen 4-bit (or eight 8-bit) general purpose registers.
The 4004 had 46 instructions, using only 2,300 transistors in a 16-pin DIP. It ran at a clock rate of 740kHz (eight clock cycles per CPU cycle of 10.8 microseconds) - the original goal was 1MHz, to allow it to compute BCD arithmetic as fast (per digit) as a 1960's era IBM 1620.
The 4040 (1972) was an enhanced version of the 4004, adding 14 instructions, larger (8 level) stack, 8K program space, and interrupt abilities (including shadows of the first 8 registers). Should Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 ever be found by an extraterrestrial species, the 4004 will represent an example of Earth's technology.
- Then came Intel 8086 (1978) - This chip was skipped over for the original PC, but was used in a few later computers that didn't amount to much. It was a true 16-bit processor and talked with its cards via a 16 wire data connection. The chip contained 29,000 transistors and 20 address lines that gave it the ability to talk with up to 1 MB of RAM. What is interesting is that the designers of the time never suspected anyone would ever need more than 1 MB of RAM. The chip was available in 5, 6,, 8, and 10 MHz versions.
- Intel was not the only manufacturer playing in the sandbox at the time. AMD put out its AM486 series in answer to Intel's counterpart. AMD released the chip in AM486DX4/75, AM486DX4/100, and AM486DX4/120 versions. It contained on-board cache, power management features, 3-volt operation and SMM mode. This made the chip fitting for mobiles in addition to desktops. The chip found its way into many 486-compatibles.
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What benefit does it (MMX) offer users?
MMX technology raises the PC experience to new levels, when software designed for the technology runs on systems based on the new processor. It delivers 10 to 20 percent more processor performance over Pentium processors at the same clock speed due to the microarchitectural enhancements.Additional performance and/or enhancements in quality of graphics, video and sound may be achieved to the extent that the programmer takes advantage of the technology. On the Intel Media Benchmark, which measures multimedia performance, the processor delivers more than 60 percent performance improvement over Pentium processors at equivalent clock speeds.
Power Supply
New CPUs require higher rating power supply. Hence always ensure that your power supply is rated at 350 W at least.Cool It!
Invest in good heatsink and fan combination for your processor.Genuine Article
Always buy Genuine CPU. Check Hologram seal on Intel CPU box. In case of AMD, make sure that the plastic casing is not broken.Cache That Monkey
If you plan to do CPU intensive tasks such as graphic processing, gaming and animation go for CPU with 256 KB or more of L2 cache. The Pentium 4 Northwood has 512 KB of L2 cache. For gaming applications, go for CPU which supports 3DNow! or SSE.Palomino
If power requirement and heat dissipation are not an issue, you can go for cheap and affordable Palomino cores.Save the Money
If you want only basic office applications, you can go for cheap CPU like Cyrix M III processor. This cheap CPU works with any socket 370 motherboard.High End Users
For high end 3D design and CAD applications, you will require a processor with highest clock speed and the largest on board cache memory. Pentium and Athlon processors are best for such type of applications.Intel Based System:
CPU Cooling - COOL your CPU first. Then it will perform. Processor cooling is very important from performance and reliability point of view. Always provide good quality cooling fan with high rated heatsink.Intel Based System:
Extra 12 V Power For Pentium 4 - All Pentium 4 processors require extra 12 volt power supply. Make sure the power supply for new processor has necessary four pin 12 V connector. This connector fits into the ATX 12 V connector on your Motherboard.Intel Based System:
Hyperthread Technology - Intel's 3.06 GHz processor incorporates Hyperthreading technology which gives better CPU performance when running multiple applications simultaneously.Intel Based System:
CPU Type - Willamette CPU's are fabricated using 0.18 micron fabrication process. Willamette requires more power and generate more heat. New Northwood CPU's are fabricated using 0.13 micron fabrication process. Northwood CPU's have L2 cache of 512 KB.Intel Based System:
Intel Drivers - Intel supplies drivers for new 800 series chipsets including 845, 845 - DDR and 850 chipsets called the Intel application accelerator driver. These drivers increase the performance of your IDE devices. They offer better boot times and also surpass 137 GB limitation of the IDE drives in the native Window drivers. SSE2 type of special instructions in Intel CPU's help deliver better performance with certain types of data.AMD Based System:
CPU Cooling - COOL your CPU first. Then it will perform. Processor cooling is very important from performance and reliability point of view. Always provide good quality cooling fan with high rated heatsink. Use thermal paste for better contact between heatsink and CPU. If by chance you forget to connect the fan supply and switch on the motherboard, you will damage the AMD CPU with in seconds. Always use CPU heatsink and fan combination that is certified by AMD.AMD Based System:
Proper Mounting - As bare Silicon is exposed at the top surface in AMD CPU, heatsink installation should be done properly. You should not slide the heatsink on the top surface of CPU. A small scratch or friction may damage CPU.AMD Based System:
Power Supply - It is always better to go for minimum 300 w power supply for AMD based system.AMD Based System:
Special Instructions: The 3DNow! instruction set streamline power of certain applications.AMD Based System:
Memory: You can use SDRAM or DDR memory. SDRAM is cost effective option for basic applications. However for demanding applications ( graphic or high end gaming), go for DDR memory. DDR memory is good for high speed applications.AMD Based System:
Type of Processor - AMD Duron processors offer reasonably good performance with respect to their price. But as they are phased out, it is better to go for Athlon processor. They are available in old 0.18 micron Palomino and new 0.13 micron Thoroughbred core. New technology requires less power and generates less heat. Not all motherboards support them. Hence always ensure that your motherboard supports new CPU before buying the motherboard. Extra check the motherboard manual.
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