THE PROCESSOR

The function of the processor

The processor is a chip that controls all the

computer instructions by interpreting them as 

a binary code. 

The control circuitry pulls data in via the various ports, directs it along data buses,stores it in the memories and performs the calculations

Its roles

Performing calculations: the calculations are made by components in the cpu using binary code.

Data manipulation: The cpu can receive data from input devices, store the instructions and send data back to output devices

Decision making

Performance features

Clock speed: Is the speed at which the microprocessor executes instructions

 Cores:It is the processing unit.  For example, having two cores, multiply the processing power of the cpu by two. 

 Cache Is a small and fast memory, situated close to the cpu to accelerate the processor performance by storing copies of the most frequently used datas

Makes

Intel and AMD are the most famous and the best cpu brands, that have a lot of options and support, as a big community too. 

 ARM Is the builder of smartphone processors

Overclocking

Overclocking or Underclocking are processes that an owner can do to improve the computer functions.

Overclocking increase the voltage, hence having more processing power, instead, Underclocking reduce the voltage, therefore having more battery time.

Heat sinks – purpose, water cooled, air cooled

As the processor is running a lot of instructions, it tends to heat up, therefore computers have different ways to dissipate the heat. A regular pc use a metal heat sink for this purpose alongside with fans.
 Another type of heat sink use sealed tubes with water to dissipate the heat from the processor, it uses the same principle as a car radiator. The water cooled system alows the computers to be thinner.