"COMPUTER PROCESSORS"

Do you have computer or if you’re a rich one, do you have computers or maybe a laptop in your house? Do you ever think how your computer works? The computer has processors? What are these? How it functions? I think that are the questions that first entered your mind. Computer processors are the most important in computer for it to works. There is a general term for different classification of computer processors which is what we call the brain of the computer, the Central Processing Unit or CPU for its abbreviation.

A Central Processing Unit or CPU, or sometimes just called processor, is generally a single microprocessor made from a wafer of semiconducting material, usually silicon, with millions of electrical components on its surface. On a higher level, the CPU is actually a number of interconnected processing units that are each responsible for one aspect of the CPU’s function. Standard CPUs contain processing units that interpret and implement software instructions, perform calculations and comparisons, make logical decisions (determining if a statement is true or false based on the rules of Boolean algebra), temporarily store information for use by another of the CPU’s processing units, keep track of the current step in the execution of the program, and allow the CPU to communicate with the rest of the computer. A CPU is similar to a calculator, only much more powerful. The main function of the CPU is to perform arithmetic and logical operations on data taken from memory or on information entered through some device, such as a keyboard, scanner, or joystick. The CPU is controlled by a list of software instructions, called a computer program. Software instructions entering the CPU originate in some form of memory storage device such as a hard disk, floppy disk, CD-ROM, or magnetic tape. These instructions then pass into the computer’s main random access memory (RAM), where each instruction is given a unique address, or memory location.
The CPU can access specific pieces of data in RAM by specifying the address of the data that it wants. As a program is executed, data flow from RAM through an interface unit of wires called the bus, which connects the CPU to RAM. The data are then decoded by a processing unit called the instruction decoder that interprets and implements software instructions. From the instruction decoder the data pass to the arithmetic/logic unit (ALU), which performs calculations and comparisons. Data may be stored by the ALU in temporary memory locations called registers where it may be retrieved quickly. The ALU performs specific operations such as addition, multiplication, and conditional tests on the data in its registers, sending the resulting data back to RAM or storing it in another register for further use. During this process, a unit called the program counter keeps track of each successive instruction to make sure that the program instructions are followed by the CPU in the correct order.

There are different classification of computer processors that was invented or made and developed for more uses by different companies in the world to reach our needs in using computers which are Notebook processors, Intel® computer processor, AMD computer processor, Dual Core Processors, and Dual Processors.

Notebook processors are Central Processing Unit optimized for notebook computers. One of the main characteristics differentiating notebook processors from other Central Processing Units are low-power-consumption. The notebook processors are becoming an increasing important market segment in the semiconductor industry. Notebook computers are an increasingly popular format of the broader category of mobile computers. The objective of notebook computers is to provide the performance and functionality of a desktop computer in a portable size and weight. Cell phones and Personal Digital Assistants require microcontrollers that use even less power than notebook processors. While it is possible to use desktop processors in laptops, this practice is generally not recommended, as desktop processors heat faster than notebook processors and drain batteries faster. Currently, the fastest notebook processor is the Intel X9000, an Intel Core 2 dual-core processor. The first “ quad-core ” notebook processor ( code named “ Penryn QC ”) is planned to be released by Intel in Q3 2008.

Intel® computer processors are exclusively designed by Intel. Its latest and most popular models include Intel® Pentium® 4 processor, Intel® Pentium® 4 processor with HT Technology, and Intel® Celeron® processor. The Intel® Pentium® 4 processor is a powerful processor that can handle demanding applications such as DVD authoring, 3D gaming, and other multimedia applications. The Intel® Pentium® 4 processor with Hyper-Threading (HT) Technology is designed for running multiple applications simultaneously with a fast and efficient and response. The Intel® Celeron® processor is compatible with almost all leading computer hardware and software brands.

AMD computer processor is exclusively made by Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD). It provides excellent performance and value. It is compatible with most off-the-shelf computer programs and applications. Some AMD Computer Processors are programmed with built-in anti-virus protection. Its most popular models are AMD Athlon™ XP and AMD Athlon™ 64. The AMD Athlon™ XP processor provides outstanding performance by enhancing Windows® XP applications with intense and lifelike images and graphics. The AMD Athlon™ 64 processor is designed for more advanced computers especially those with 64-bit programs. It allows the execution of complex software and games.

Dual core processors have two processing cores on a single chip. They are recognized by the computer as two processors and function with twice the power of single-core processors. They are a popular alternative to dual processor systems, where two separate processors are mounted on a motherboard. Most dual core processors can be installed on existing sockets and do not require replacing of the motherboard. There are two classifications of Dual core processors which are the 64-bit Dual Core Processors and Extended 64-bit Dual Core Processors.

The 64-bit processors can handle data widths of up to 64 bits or eight bytes. They can run applications designed for 32-bit systems, but not simultaneously with 64-bit applications. They are ideal for general computing to moderately heavy applications, such as video editing and graphics design.

While Extended 64-bit processors have the same capacity as 64-bit processors, but they can run 32-bit and 64-bit programs at the same time. They are commonly used for applications that require much processing power, such as computer-aided design (CAD) and animation programs.

Dual processor motherboards have two sockets for holding two separate processors. They increase the computer's speed and processing power and allow it to handle more tasks. They are commonly used in high-end applications such as servers, graphics, and computer-aided design (CAD). They are seldom used in personal computers, because dual-core processors offer a cheaper and more compact alternative. Most models work with different processors and random access memory (RAM) types. There are also two classifications of Dual processors which are Synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM) motherboards and Double data rate (DDR)-SDRAM motherboards.

Synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM) motherboards respond to input and transfer data every full clock signal, including the signal's rise and fall. This process often results in latency, or periods of inactivity in the memory, which slows down operation and causes power wastage.
While Double data rate (DDR)-SDRAM motherboards are motherboards that respond and transmit data at both the rising and falling parts of the signal. They have less latency and process twice as fast as SDRAM systems.

There so many classifications of computer processors but I am sure you can choose one from those that you surely know will reach and suite your needs. You should have to compare carefully the different classifications of computer processors on choosing one of them for you not to blame yourself if you have chosen the wrong one.

REFERENCES
1. • Amdahl, G. M., Blaauw, G. A., & Brooks, F. P. Jr. (1964). Architecture of the IBM System/360. IBM Research. http://www.research.ibm.com/journal/rd/441/amdahl.pdf.
2. • Brown, Jeffery (2005). "Application-customized CPU design". IBM developerWorks. http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/power/library/pa-fpfxbox/?ca=dgr-lnxw07XBoxDesign. Retrieved on 2005-12-17.
3. • Huynh, Jack (2003). "The AMD Athlon XP Processor with 512KB L2 Cache". University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign. pp. 6–11. http://courses.ece.uiuc.edu/ece512/Papers/Athlon.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
4. • Digital Equipment Corporation (November 1975). "LSI-11 Module Descriptions". LSI-11, PDP-11/03 user's manual (2nd edition ed.). Maynard, Massachusetts: Digital Equipment Corporation. pp. 4–3. http://www.classiccmp.org/bitsavers/pdf/dec/pdp11/1103/EK-LSI11-TM-002.pdf.
5. • Garside, J. D., Furber, S. B., & Chung, S-H (1999). AMULET3 Revealed. University of Manchester Computer Science Department. http://www.cs.manchester.ac.uk/apt/publications/papers/async99_A3.php.
6. • Hennessy, John A.; Goldberg, David (1996). Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach. Morgan Kaufmann Publishers. ISBN 1-55860-329-8.
7. • Gary D. Knott (1974) A proposal for certain process management and intercommunication primitives ACM SIGOPS Operating Systems Review. Volume 8 , Issue 4 (October 1974). pp. 7 - 44
8. • MIPS Technologies, Inc. (2005). MIPS32 Architecture For Programmers Volume II: The MIPS32 Instruction Set. MIPS Technologies, Inc.. http://www.mips.com/content/Documentation/MIPSDocumentation/ProcessorArchitecture/doclibrary.
9. • Smotherman, Mark (2005). "History of Multithreading". http://www.cs.clemson.edu/~mark/multithreading.html. Retrieved on 2005-12-19.
10. • von Neumann, John (1945). First Draft of a Report on the EDVAC. Moore School of Electrical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania. http://www.virtualtravelog.net/entries/2003-08-TheFirstDraft.pdf.
11. • Weik, Martin H. (1961). A Third Survey of Domestic Electronic Digital Computing Systems. Ballistic Research Laboratories. http://ed-thelen.org/comp-hist/BRL61.html.