central processing unit
Chip executing instructions
The central processing unit is the component of a computer that executes instructions and performs calculations—the brain of the machine.
Usually abbreviated CPU or simply processor.
My CPU is running at full capacity.
The term dates from an era when computers filled rooms; modern devices contain multiple processing units on a single chip.
Partial electrical conductor
- siliconMetalloid in electronics
- waferThin crisp disk
- nanometerMetric unit, billion-fold smaller
- lithographyGrease-based flat plate printing
etching · doping · transistor · node · foundry · Intel · photolithography · cleanroom
Computer's primary circuit platform
- socketHollow receiving cavity
- chipsetCoordinated circuit collection
- heatsinkPassive heat dispersal device
- cooling fanRotating air-mover
thermal paste · transistor · die · integrated circuit · pin · package · power delivery · voltage regulator
Compact computing circuit
- chipSmall broken-off piece
- clock speedProcessor cycle rate
- cacheConcealed storage spot
- multithreadingParallel execution paths
instruction set · architecture · ALU · registers · pipelining · execution · decode · fetch
Seat of cognition
- thinkingMental reasoning process
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- hubCentral connection point
mastermind · headquarters · core · heart
semiconductor
Partial electrical conductor
lithography · etching · doping · transistor · node · foundry · Intel · photolithography · cleanroom · yield
motherboard
Computer's primary circuit platform
- socketHollow receiving cavity
- chipsetCoordinated circuit collection
- heatsinkPassive heat dispersal device
cooling fan · thermal paste · transistor · die · integrated circuit · pin · package · power delivery · voltage regulator · overclocking
microprocessor
Compact computing circuit
- chipSmall broken-off piece
- clock speedProcessor cycle rate
- cacheConcealed storage spot
multithreading · instruction set · architecture · ALU · registers · pipelining · execution · decode · fetch · multicore
brain
Seat of cognition
- thinkingMental reasoning process
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
hub · mastermind · headquarters · core · heart
central processing unitmemory
Mind's retention capacity
storage · RAM · hard drive · ROM · solid-state drive
central processing unitperipheral
External computer add-on
peripheral device · GPU · coprocessor · input device · output device
central processing unithuman brain
Neural organ enabling cognition
mind · human cognition · neural tissue · grey matter · wetware
central, center, centre, centrality, centralize, centralization, centralized, decentralize, decentralization