Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU is the ‘brain’ of the computer.

What is the CPU?

  • The CPU is the “brain” of the computer
  • It processes instructions and performs calculations
  • Handles tasks like running programs and managing data

CPU Performance

  • Speed Measurement:
    • Measured in GHz (gigahertz), which shows how many instructions the CPU can process per second.
    • A higher GHz means faster performance
  • Number of Cores:
    • Modern CPUs have multiple cores (dual-core, quad-core, etc.)
    • This allows them to process multiple tasks at once.
    • More cores improve multitasking and speed for complex programs.

Targets

State the purpose of the CPU.

State two ways to measure CPU performance.