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CPU (Central Processing Unit)

  • Arithmetic Logic Unit + Control Unit
    • Used so frequently together
    • Make up the CPU
  • Made from small silicon chips with millions of transistors
  • n-bit processor
    • n refers to number of bits in the CPU general registers
    • Two n-bit numbers can be added with a single instruction
    • Can also refer to the width of the address bus
      • Is the size of addressable memory, but not always
    • Can also refer to the width of the data bus
      • But not always
  • Electronics of the CPU inherently recognize binary representations of commands
    • Doesn't need to consult a list of commands
    • CPU embodies the list in its design
  • Each CPU has its own machine language
  • Has a clock which emits regular pulses

Computer Science Computer Hardware von Neumann Architecture