ITC - Processors and the CPU

Processor

Consists of circuitry and components packaged together and connected directly to the motherboard

Central Processing Unit

Does the vast majority of processing for a computer

Central Processing Unit

• Called a microprocessor when talking about personal computers

• Typically designed for a specific type of computer

Multi-core CPUs

Contain the processing components (cores) of multiple independent processors in a single CPU

Dual-core CPUs

Contain two cores

Quad-core CPUs

Contains four cores

Multi-core Processors

• Allow computers to work on more than one task at a time

• They also typically use slower cores than single-core CPUS so have fewer heat problems

Graphics Processing Unit

Takes care of the processing needed to display images (including still images, animations) on the screen

Modular Phones

• Currently in development

• Individuals create custom phones

• Start with basic modules

• Give the user flexibility to add, upgrade, or replace modules whenever

• Google’s Project Ara

Processing Speed

• Can be measured by the CPU’s clock speed

• Rated in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz)

Higher CPU clock speed

More instructions processed per second

Computer Word

The amount of data that a CPU can manipulate at one time

Cache Memory

A special group of very fast circuitry usually built into the CPU

Faster Processing

More cache memory typically means ___________

Cache Memory Level Numbers

Indicates the order in which the various levels of cache are accessed by the CPU

Level 1 then Level 2 and Level 3

What is the fastest level of cache memory?

Bus

• Is an electronic path over which data can travel

• Found inside the CPU and on the motherboard

Bus Width

The number of wires in the bus over which data can travel

Wider Bus

This allows more data to be transferred at one time

Throughput

The amount of data actual transferred under real-life conditions

Memory

Refers to chip-based storage, or locations that a computer uses to store data on a temporary basis

Volatile Memory

Content is erased when the device is shut off

Non-Volatile Memory

Content is retained when the device is shut off

Random Access Memory

The computer’s main memory or system memory

1. Essential parts of operating system

2. Programs

3. Data the computer is currently using

What does a RAM store? (provide three)

Electronic circuits etched onto chips

The RAM consists of ______________________

1. Volatile

2. Measured in bytes

3. Most personal computers use SDRAM

4. Double-Data Rate (DDR)

5. Dual-channel memory architecture

Characteristics of RAM (provide 5)

Memory Addressing

Computer system sets up and maintains directory tables to facilitate retrieval of the data

Registers

Are high-speed memory locations built into the CPU

1. Store data and

2. Intermediary results during processing

What does a Register do? (provide 2)

Register

What is the fastest type of memory?

Read-Only Memory

Consists of non-volatile chips located on the motherboard into which data or programs have been permanently stored

Flash Memory

Consists of nonvolatile memory chips that can be used for storage

Flash Memory

What type of memory replaced ROM for storing system information?

Flash Memory

Stores firmware for personal computers and other devices

Fans

Are used on most personal computers to help cool the CPU and system unit

Heat

An ongoing problem for CPU and computer manufacturers

Cooler Chips

What type of chips run faster?

Heat Sinks

Are small components typically made out of aluminum with fins that help to dissipate heat

Thermal Transfer Materials

Some portable computers and virtually all mobile devices don’t include a fan; instead they use _________________ to spread out the heat generated

Liquid Cooling Systems

Cool the computer with liquid-filled tubes

Immersion Cooling

Hardware is actually submerged into units filled with a liquid cooling solution

Notebook Cooling Stand

Cools the underside of a notebook computer

Expansion Slot

A location on the motherboard into which expansion cards are inserted

Expansion Card

A circuit board inserted into an expansion slot

Expansion Card

Used to add additional functionality or to attach a peripheral device

Expansion Bus

Connects the CPU to peripheral (typically input and output) devices

Memory Bus

Connects the CPU directly to RAM

Frontside Bus

Connects the CPU to the chipset that connects the CPU to the rest of the bus architecture

PCI Bus

Used to be the most common type of expansion bus

PCI Express

Most common expansion bus today

PCIe ×16

Used to connect monitors to a computer

PCIe ×1

Used to connect other peripherals

PCIe Buses

What are the extremely fast buses?

Universal Serial Bus

Connects USB devices to a computer

Port

A connector on the exterior of a computer’s system unit to which a device may be attached

USB Hubs

Connect multiple devices to a single USB port

USB-A and USB-B

Traditional USB cables have two different connectors:

USB-C

• Very fast

• Can charge and power portable computers

• Many types of adapters and multiport adapter cables available

Tablets

Have ports similar to desktop computers, but often not as many

Smartphones

• Have more limited expansion capabilities

• Usually have a USB port

• Some have a flash memory card slot

• Some have a Subscriber Identify Module (SIM) slot to hold a SIM card

Central Processing Unit

Consists of a variety of circuitry and components packaged together

Transistor

The key element of the microprocessor

Microarchitecture

The architecture and components included in a CPU

Moore’s Law

Predicted that the number of transistors per square inch on chips had doubled every two years and that trend would continue

1965

When did Gordon Moore predict the Moore’s Law?

Arithmetic/Logic Unit

Performs arithmetic involving integers and logical operations

Floating Point Unit

Performs decimal arithmetic

Control Unit

Coordinates and controls activities within a CPU core

Prefetch Unit

Attempts to retrieve data and instructions before they are needed for processing in order to avoid delays

Decode Unit

Translates instructions from the prefetch unit so that they are understood by the control unit, ALU, and FPU

Bus Interface Unit

Allows the core to communicate with other CPU components

System Clock

A timing mechanism within the computer system that synchronizes the computer’s operations

One Megahertz

One million ticks of the system clock

10

A CPU clock speed of 2 GHz means the CPU clock “ticks” __ times during each system clock tick.

Microcode

During each CPU clock tick, one or more pieces of ___________ are processed

Instructions

A CPU with a higher clock speed processes more ____________ per second than the same CPU with a lower CPU clock speed

Machine Cycle

Occurs whenever the CPU processes a single piece of microcode

1. Fetch

2. Decode

3. Execute

4. Store

Four Operations of the Machine Cycle

Pipelining

Allows multiple instructions to be processed at one time

Multiprocessing

Each processor or core typically works on a different job to process these jobs faster than with a single processor

Parallel Processing

Multiple processors or cores work together to process a single job as fast as possible

Multithreading

The ability of a CPU (or software) to execute multiple streams of instructions (called threads) within a single program at the same time

Improved Architecture

Smaller components, faster memory, faster bus speeds, increasing number of CPU cores, integrated GPUs, support for virtualization, and increased 3D graphics processing

Graphene

Consists of flat sheets are carbon one atom tall

Graphene

Lightest and strongest known material

Graphene Chips

What chips are faster than silicon chips and require less power?

Smart Clothing

Is the next trend in wearable technology

Smart Clothing

Contains flexible circuitry and sensors, wireless connectivity, and a battery

Smart Fabric

What type of fabric is underdevelopment for Smart Clothing?

3D Chips

They pack a number of components layered onto small chips

Nanotechnology

The science of creating tiny computers and components less than 100 nanometers in size

Carbon Nanotubes

Are tiny, hollow tubes of graphene

High-Performance Computing

What does HPC mean?

Terascale Computing

The ability of a computer to process one trillion floating point operations per second (teraflops)

Exascale Computing

Next development expected after Terascale Computing

Exascale Computing

Can process data at exaflop (1,000 petaflops) speeds

Quantum Computing

Applies the principles of quantum physics and quantum mechanics to computers

Quantum Computing

Used for specialized applications, such as encryption and code breaking

Optical Computers

Use light to perform digital computations