The Central Processing Unit :: essays research papers

The Central Processing UnitMicroprocessors, also called central processing units (CPUs), arefrequently described as the "brains" of a computer, because they hazard as thecentral control for the processing of data in personal computers (PCs) and othercomputers. Chipsets per chassis logic functions in computers based on Intelprocessors. Motherboards combine Intel microprocessors and chipsets to form thebasic subsystem of a PC. Because its part of every one of your computersfunctions, it takes a fast processor to make a fast PC. These processors areall made of transistors. The commencement transistor was created in 1947 by a team ofscientists at Bell Laboratories in New Jersey. Ever since 1947 transistors haveshrunk dramitically in size enabling much and more than to be placed on each singlechip.     The transistor was not the only thing that had to be developed before a authentic CPU could be produced. There also had to be some type of surface toassembl e the transistors together on. The first chip made of semiconducitvematerial or silicon was invented in 1958 by Jack Kilby of Texas Instruments.Now we have the major elements needed to produce a CPU. In 1965 a company bythe find out of Intel was formed and they began to produce CPUs shortly thereafter.Gordon Moore, one of the founders of Intel, predicted that the number oftransistor placed on each CPU would double every 18 months or so. This sounds most impossible, however this has been a very accutate estimation of theevolution of CPUs. Intel introduced their first processor, a 4004, in Novemberof 1971. This first processor had a clock speed of 108 kilohertz and 2,300transistors. It was utilize mainly for simple arithmetic manipulation such as in acalculator. Ever since this first processor was introduced the market has donenothing exactly soared to unbelievable highs. The first processor common inpersonal computers was the 8088. This processor was introduced in June of 1978.It could be purchased in three different clock speeds starting at 5 Megahertzand going up to 10 Megahertz. This CPU had 29,000 transistors. Then came the80286 and 80386 processors. The 386 was the first processor to be introduced inthe DX, SX, and SL versions. Next came the 80486 processors of which there wereeven more choices here. The first 486 processor had 1,200,000 transistors andthe latest have 1.4 million transistors. There clock speeds varied any wherefrom 16 megahertz on the first ones to 100 MHz on the most recent 486 processors.Some of which are still in use in homes all around the country.