About Processors

*******PROCESSORS*******
                                             


A Processor is one of the most important core components in a computer. It is mounted on the motherboards CPU socket. It performs complex mathematical calculations with data we input. Basically, most of computers work is done by the processor.


Intel Pentium series of processors was such a success such that it had almost became generic term of computers. After single core processors, dual core processor have become a standard hardware component and its time for quad core ones.


The terms below will give you a decent understanding of what goes lies with in a processor.

CACHE: -

In a simple terms, cache is a temporary storage in the CPU die where frequently accessed data is stored for quick reference. When certain amount of data is fetched from other storage devices in computer such as memory and hard disk, is stored in cache. This effectively makes the process of computing faster and more efficient.

L1 CACHE: -

It is tiny memory cache which is built on CPU and is faster than L2 or Level 2 Cache. It helps in speedy access to frequently accessed data required for processing.

L2 CACHE: -

Similar to L1 cache, L2 or Level2 cache is also used for faster data access but it does not share the sane characteristics with L1. While L1 Cache resides internally, L2 resides externally but it is closely limit to micro processor. But the L2 cache is slower than L1. it is also able to store larger amounts of data.

BUS: -

A BUS stands for Bidirectional Universal Switch, which means it changes the course of the incoming and out going data. It is sub system that transfer data from one component to other.
While buses are controlled by device drives in a personal computer, they define their set of conductors or controllers to physically plug several devices such as expansion cards and cables.
Front side bus (FSB):-
There are 3 core components that communicate with each other at all time; the motherboard chip set, the processor and main memory. The front side bus, which is also referred to as the system bus, carries all the electronic information b/w the processor and the motherboard chipset. The faster the FSB speed, the faster can processor can communicate with the memory and chipset, provided the FSB of the CPU is compatible with that of the chip set.
The CPU FSB can never be solely accounted for the CPU`s over all performance, as there’s a lot more to it. For instance, clock speed (measured in HZ) and L2cache; are some of the factors that determine the performance of a CPU.
Clock speed:-
The clock speed of a CPU is the speed at which the processor can complete processing cycle which basically includes number crunching. The clock speed is measured in mega hertz where in one million cycles get completed in a second. They, at a speed of 3.2 GHZ the processor can complete 3.2 billion cycles per second.

Note that two CPU’s with the same speed from different families or brands will not necessarily perform equally, as the speed is also dependent on the processors architecture.

While the processors clock speed is significant indicator of the computers speed, it is certainly not the only thing that matters .other factors such as size of cache, memory speed and hard drive also contribute to the overall performance of the computer.

Dual core processors : -

A dual core processor features of two discrete cores along with their own cache on one single die which means that these two cores can be used individually of course, the motherboard should be able to support such processors. In addition to this, the operating system should be able to optimized to use both the cores to extract the processor’s maximum performance. This happens when the operating system has SMT (Simultaneous Multi-threading Technology) written in to its code.

SMT: --

It stands for Simultaneous Multi-threading Technology. This means that the operating system feeds the microprocessor with multi threaded instructions in parallel (at the same time).
Multi Threading: --

Multi Threading is when a program is broken down in to multiple tasks which are broken down in to multiple tasks which are then processed simultaneously be the multiple cores inside the processor. Such software must be carefully designed in a way so as to avoid interference of the broken-down tasks or threads amongst each other while they are being processed.
Single core processors: --

Single core processors were the first type to arrive at their inception; computers were as big as entire living room. the computing had speedily took off during the X386 and X486 times, when we paid through our noses for X386 Pcs to run office application which were then based on the Ms-DOS operating system, which didn’t have a graphical user interface over time, we saw the launch of the Intel Pentium processors, followed by Pentium 11,11and 4.All of these were single core processors and they grew more and more advanced over the years in terms of speed and efficiency.

Multi-core:-

When a silicon chi[p has or more physical cores on its die ,the performance of the processor increases in proportion to the number of cores packed within. For instance, dual-core processors such as the one belonging to the Intel core 2Duo series and Athlon 64X2series have two cores.

As of now we are in the age of quad-core processors that have been recently launched. These processors pack in four cores with in them.

The inception of Dual core: --

After reaching the dead-end with continued increase in clock speed of processors, processor manufacturers found other methods to increase processing power with out hampering efficiency. The most noticeable step taken was the increase in the number of processor cores. It all began in the year 2005 with Intel Pentium D series of dual-core processors. Following this, AMD launched its version of dual core processors (the Athlon 64*2 family). There after both manufactures have continued releasing new dual-core processors to compete against each other. Eventually AMD’s lead was taken by Intel, with the release of its brand new core micro architecture. The run away success of the Intel core 2 duo family of processors was a huge milestone in the history of Intel.