How Do Desktop Microprocessors Work?

Basics A microprocessor can be thought of as the brain of your computer. It may also be referred to as a CPU (central processing unit). The introduction of the microprocessor to the world occurred in 1971 with the first Intel chip. There are several different manufacturers of microprocessors, but all microprocessors operate under the same basic principles. Parts of a Microprocessor A microprocessor receives and executes commands. The basic function that the microprocessor uses to calculate data is referred to as the ALU (Arithmetic/Logic Unit). It is the part of the microprocessor that can calculate simple math instructions such as addition, subtraction, division and multiplication. A microprocessor is also capable of moving a piece of information from one location in the memory of the computer to another. A microprocessor can also make its own decisions based on the data it receives and begin a new list of instructions determined by the decisions it made. A microprocessor is ...  more