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Central Processing Unit

What does a CPU do? How do I choose the right CPU for my needs?

The central processing unit (CPU) is one of the most important parts in your computer. The CPU is responsible for handling all of the calculations your computer needs done to function. The CPU has many complex parts to it but don't get intimated, we'll try to get through it together in this post.

What is a CPU?

CPU is short for central processing unit. The CPU is one of many other processing units in your computer. It is responsible for every input you or an application makes. Many consider it to be the brain of the computer for this reason.

 

The CPU takes instructions from your computer's random access memory (RAM), interprets that data, and delivers an output. The output will vary depending on the instructions. This process happens every time an action is done on your computer. It happens when you use your mouse to scroll down this post, when you open an application, or when you open a photo from your desktop.

 

There are many different types of CPUs and some will perform this process faster than others. This will depend on the features of a CPU.

What are the main features of a CPU?

There are many features that can set CPUs apart. For the sake of our sanity, we'll only talk about the ones that you can recognize in a specification list for a computer at BestBuy or a similar retailer.

 

 

Cores: A processor core is an individual processor inside a CPU. There are single-core and multi-core processors. A single-core processor will only have one core responsible for all the tasks. A multi-core processor will have more than one core. Multi-core processors will be able to take on more tasks because they will be split up between the cores.

Clock Speed: The clock speed of a CPU is the speed it runs at. This speed is measured in gigahertz (Ghz). In general, a higher clock speed means a faster CPU. This means that your applications will run faster and smoother as a result.

Cache: The cache is a temporary storage location inside the CPU. It stores the most used data to let the CPU access the files incredibly fast without waiting on other components such as the RAM. A bigger cache means the CPU can rely less on other components and perform better.

 

The generation of a CPU is important too. A CPU with more cores, clock speed, and cache isn't always the best.

 

A CPU with a higher clock speed from five years ago might be outperformed by a new CPU with a lower clock speed. The newer chips will be able to deal with instructions more efficiently. When you compare CPUs within the same generation, a CPU with a higher clock speed will generally outperform a processor with a lower clock speed.*

 

*Explained well by Intel, one of the largest chip manufacturers. Their processors are very popular. You probably have one right now or have had one.

How do I choose the right CPU?

The right CPU will depend on your needs.

 

 

For basic tasks: 2-4 cores will work. This will let you watch videos, browse the Internet, word processing, and light spreadsheet work. The speed can vary to your preference. If you want a smoother experience using your computer in your day to day life; look for a processor with faster speed.

For gaming: You will want to focus on a CPU with faster speed. More cores may not be necessary if you do not want multiple applications open in the background. The minimum number of cores found in CPUs recommended for gaming is 4 most of the time. A graphics card (GPU) is more important for gaming.

For creative work: You will want a CPU with at least 4 cores and a decent amount of speed. This will let you have your video or photo references open, have multiple browser tabs open, and still run your video or photo software well.

 

Share this post with anyone you think needs it. Thanks for reading!

 

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