CPU and RAM work together to form the brain of your computer.
CPU speed measured in gigahertz (GHz):
GHz – number of billions of CPU cycles per second
CPU (machine) cycle – retrieve, decode, and execute instruction, then return result to RAM if necessary
CPU Components:
- Control unit – directs what happens in the CPU and the rest of your computer
- Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) – performs arithmetic, comparison, and logic operations
- CPU cache – CPU memory where instructions wait until they’re needed
- CPU clock – beats to keep instructions and information moving in synchronized fashion
System bus: electrical pathways that move information between motherboard components, especially between CPU and RAM.
CPU and Ram at Work
CPU (Machine Cycle)
1. Retrieve: The control unit sends to RAM for the instructions and information it needs
2. Decode: CPU gets the instruction out of cache and examines it to see what to do
3. Execute: Does what the instruction says to do
4. Store: Sends the result of processing to be stored in RAM if necessary
Notebook CPUs and RAM
Mobile CPU – type of CPU that changes speed, and therefore power consumption, in response to fluctuation in use
RAM for notebooks comes in smaller modules than RAM for desktops
Source: COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE Book