
To put it crudely, imagine dividing a hot dog into two and eating both pieces together for faster consumption instead of starting on one end and working your way to the other. Hyper-threading is a technological innovation from Intel that allows a single processor core to perform like two by dividing workloads for simultaneous processing. Such CPUs are an excellent choice for video editors, game streamers, and users of demanding applications, though they may be something of an overkill for the average user. Nowadays, premium CPUs are hitting 32 cores, 64 cores, and more. Instead of focusing on advancing clock speed, manufacturers fitted multiple CPUs on one chip. The multi-core processor revolution began with dual-cores and quad-cores. Here, manufacturers found it more cost-effective to enhance CPUs in other ways, so much so that a modern processor can usually outperform a decade-old processor that has a higher clock speed. However, advancements in clock speeds began to plateau due to extra heat generation and higher power consumption. From the 90s to the early 2000s, CPU clock speeds improved significantly with every new generation. What makes a CPU good? Clock SpeedĪ clock speed tells you how many instructions a CPU can manage in a second and generally indicates how fast it is.
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In truth, a computer’s software and CPU working together in harmony are the brains of the operation. A CPU doesn’t offer instructions the software does. While this analogical comparison to a human body accurately depicts the critical nature of a CPU’s role, it doesn't tell the whole story. Is the CPU the brain of the computer?Įxperts often refer to the CPU as the brain when describing computer components in layman terms. Likewise, a CPU helps move data from a computer’s hard drive to its memory for faster access. The graphics card then processes the information to display on a monitor. For example, it may take relevant data sent from a video game to a graphics card.


The term CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. But arguably, the most crucial component of them all is the CPU.

There are many different components like the hard drive, motherboard, RAM, and GPU, each with unique functions and many variations.

Navigating the world of computer parts can be daunting for the uninitiated.
