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CPU
(Central Processing Unit) FAQ's
What
is a CPU? New users ask that question a lot. They often refer
to the system box, which houses the motherboard on which
the CPU sits, as the CPU. But this is not correct. CPU
stands for central processing unit, the very core of the
computer, and the artificial brain that allows the rest of
the computer to operate. The CPU is the most
important part of the computer, and without it a computer
would not function. It is a tiny microchip that receives
data and instructions from the user through the software
he or she is using and processes that data. In essence, the
CPU tells the rest of the computer what to do and how to
do it. Some people refer to the CPU as the chip because it
actually is a silicon microchip containing the equivalent
of thousands and thousands of transistors. Microchips like
the CPU allow modern computers to be small and more powerful
than their mainframe ancestors that were gigantic and temperamental.
Original computers often took up all the room in large warehouses
and had to be air-conditioned to keep the tubes at the proper
temperature, with filtered air to keep out dust.
The
invention of the microchip in the 1970’s led to the creation
of the CPU and changed the world. Home computers can now
be built much smaller and even more powerful. An entire new
industry was created by the CPU and all other industries
in the world were affected as well. Those under age 30 probably
don’t remember a world without home computers and CPU’s,
but older adults, especially those over 40 look back in amazement
at the changes made to their world.
The
CPU is not only unique to home computers but several other
devices used on a daily basis may contain a CPU. A
digital camera or even a modern film camera will have a
central processing unit to control the camera’s actions
and make the photographer’s life easier and sometimes make
him appear to be more talented than he is. Cell phones
also contain CPU’s, as do the cell sites they constantly
communicate with. Trying to keep track of all of those
individual towers and thousands upon thousands of voice
and data signals being transmitted is a job no human could
handle. CPU’s can and do keep track of thousands of signals.
CPU’s
are also found in automobiles. Today’s cars are
much safer and more fuel efficient than those made 30 years
ago. Look at the dashboard of a modern car and you’ll see
tiny lights that tell you when fuel is low, or when you
need to have your engine checked. The CPU tells the rest
of the car how to operate, and keeps track of such items.
Many cars today also have global positioning systems or
GPS systems built in for safety and convenience. GPS systems
are dependent on CPU’s to process complex data sent to
them by satellite transceivers. Think that’s all that a
CPU will do for you in your car? Think again. Satellite
radio is very common these days as are satellite telephones.
Both use CPU’s in their manufacture and operations.
The
invention of the CPU also affected industry with the growing
field of robotics. Industrial robots contain CPU’s
and are used to perform tasks in factories and on assembly
lines. The use of CPU’s saves these companies millions
of man hours per year and allows them to make more profit
for stockholders. They also save human lives by letting
robots take on the more dangerous and repetitious jobs.
With
life saving in mind, think of the average modern hospital. How
many devices in the hospital are computerized these days? And
remember that if they are computerized they include a CPU.
This includes devices to monitor patients in their hospital
beds, laser surgery instruments, magnetic resonance imaging
systems, life support systems and many more. And of course
remember that hospitals use ambulances to bring emergency
patents in their doors – vehicles using CPU’s. They even
use personal computers built around CPU’s for patient admitting,
record keeping and billing. CPU’s are utilized in every conceivable
fashion in our world. So much that it is hard to imagine
a world without the CPU.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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