Terms 2Terms 2

CPUCPUCPU (Central Processing UnitCPU (Central Processing Unit)) The CPU is the brain of the computer. The CPU is the brain of the computer. Sometimes referred to simply as the Sometimes referred to simply as the processor or central processor, the processor or central processor, the CPU is where most calculations take CPU is where most calculations take place. In terms of computing power, the place. In terms of computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a CPU is the most important element of a computer systemcomputer system

Hertz, Megahertz, GigahertzHertz, Megahertz, Gigahertz

Hertz - Commonly abbreviated as Hz, hertz Hertz - Commonly abbreviated as Hz, hertz equals one cycle per second, measuring the equals one cycle per second, measuring the waves or frequencies of electric changes each waves or frequencies of electric changes each second. Hertz is commonly used to measure a second. Hertz is commonly used to measure a computer monitor’s refresh rate and computer computer monitor’s refresh rate and computer processors.processors.

Megahertz (MHz)Megahertz (MHz) - - One MHz represents one One MHz represents one million cycles per second.million cycles per second.

Gigahertz (GHz)Gigahertz (GHz) - O - One thousand million ne thousand million hertzhertz (1,000,000,000 Hz). (1,000,000,000 Hz).

Processor Q/AProcessor Q/A

Q: Who is the largest manufacturer of Q: Who is the largest manufacturer of CPUs for Windows PCs? What is their CPUs for Windows PCs? What is their latest desktop chip line?latest desktop chip line?

A: Intel (83% market share), with the A: Intel (83% market share), with the Pentium 4Pentium 4

Slot 1, Slot A, Socket 7, Socket Slot 1, Slot A, Socket 7, Socket 478478

CPU socketCPU socket is the connector that interfaces between a computer's is the connector that interfaces between a computer's

motherboard and the processor itself. Most CPU sockets and motherboard and the processor itself. Most CPU sockets and processors in use today are built around the pin grid array (PGA) processors in use today are built around the pin grid array (PGA) architecture, in which the pins on the underside of the processor architecture, in which the pins on the underside of the processor are inserted into the socket, usually with zero insertion force are inserted into the socket, usually with zero insertion force (ZIF) to aid installation. In contrast to this, a couple current and (ZIF) to aid installation. In contrast to this, a couple current and upcoming sockets use a land grid array (LGA) in which the pins upcoming sockets use a land grid array (LGA) in which the pins are on the socket side instead and come in contact with pads on are on the socket side instead and come in contact with pads on the processor. the processor.

SlotSlot based processors are cartridge shaped and fix into a slot that based processors are cartridge shaped and fix into a slot that

looks similar to expansion slots.looks similar to expansion slots.

General General In general sockets and slots are used so that the Processor and In general sockets and slots are used so that the Processor and

the motherboard of a computer are able to communicate with the motherboard of a computer are able to communicate with each other. And it depends on the processor on what type of each other. And it depends on the processor on what type of socket or slot that it might use.socket or slot that it might use.

Slot 1, Slot A, Socket 7, Socket Slot 1, Slot A, Socket 7, Socket 478478

Slot 1, Slot A, and Socket 7 are all various types of CPU (Central Slot 1, Slot A, and Socket 7 are all various types of CPU (Central Processing Unit) Interfaces. Interfaces are the connection points Processing Unit) Interfaces. Interfaces are the connection points between the motherboard and any add on or changeable between the motherboard and any add on or changeable components including processor chips, peripherals, extension components including processor chips, peripherals, extension cards, etc. There are two main types of interfaces—slots and cards, etc. There are two main types of interfaces—slots and sockets. sockets. Slot style interfaces accept Single Edge Contact (SEC) cartridges. Slot style interfaces accept Single Edge Contact (SEC) cartridges. An SEC is a way to package microprocessors so that there is a slim An SEC is a way to package microprocessors so that there is a slim single edge which connects to the interface, allowing for single edge which connects to the interface, allowing for perpendicular mounting to the motherboard.perpendicular mounting to the motherboard.Socket style interfaces work on a principle or plug and socket similar Socket style interfaces work on a principle or plug and socket similar to that of a common wall socket. The component to be plugged into to that of a common wall socket. The component to be plugged into the interface will have a Pin Grid Array (PGA)-a square chip the interface will have a Pin Grid Array (PGA)-a square chip package with a pin pattern often of high density.package with a pin pattern often of high density.In the evolution of motherboards and CPU interfaces, the socket In the evolution of motherboards and CPU interfaces, the socket style interface was the preference among manufactures until the style interface was the preference among manufactures until the mid to late 90’s when slots became the preferred interface. mid to late 90’s when slots became the preferred interface. Although both are present in the market, the current shift is back Although both are present in the market, the current shift is back toward socket style CPU interfaces. toward socket style CPU interfaces.

Socket 7Socket 7

is a physical and electrical specification for the is a physical and electrical specification for the x86 processor socket matching the pins on x86 processor socket matching the pins on Pentium microprocessors manufactured by Intel, Pentium microprocessors manufactured by Intel, and compatibles made by Cyrix, AMD and and compatibles made by Cyrix, AMD and others. Any CPU chip conforming to this others. Any CPU chip conforming to this specification can be plugged into any conforming specification can be plugged into any conforming motherboard. motherboard. Socket 7 CPU interfaces were originally developed by Socket 7 CPU interfaces were originally developed by Intel in 1995. Intel in 1995. Socket 7 became a popular interface among Socket 7 became a popular interface among manufacturers with the push to standardize interfaces in manufacturers with the push to standardize interfaces in the mid 90’s. the mid 90’s.

Slot 1Slot 1

refers to the physical and electrical refers to the physical and electrical specification for the connector used by specification for the connector used by some of Intel's microprocessors, including some of Intel's microprocessors, including the Celeron, Pentium II and the Pentium the Celeron, Pentium II and the Pentium III.III.Around 1998, Intel introduced their Pentium II Around 1998, Intel introduced their Pentium II CPU. CPU.

Slot 1 has been replaced with newer interface Slot 1 has been replaced with newer interface form factors and is not in common use anymore.form factors and is not in common use anymore.

Slot ASlot A

refers to the physical and electrical refers to the physical and electrical specification for the edge-connector used specification for the edge-connector used by early versions of AMD's Athlon by early versions of AMD's Athlon processor. Slot A provides a lot higher bus processor. Slot A provides a lot higher bus rate than socket 7 does.rate than socket 7 does.In 1999, Intel competitor AMD designed a similar In 1999, Intel competitor AMD designed a similar interface to Slot 1 known as Slot A. interface to Slot 1 known as Slot A.

Like Slot 1, Slot A has had a short life as Like Slot 1, Slot A has had a short life as manufacturers shift back to socket interfaces.manufacturers shift back to socket interfaces.

Socket 478Socket 478

A type of CPU socket used for intel’s Pentium 4 and A type of CPU socket used for intel’s Pentium 4 and Celeron series. Though they are starting to disappear due Celeron series. Though they are starting to disappear due to the launch of LGA 775. Like the name implies, it has to the launch of LGA 775. Like the name implies, it has 478 pins.478 pins.

Socket 7, on the other hand, has only 321 pinsSocket 7, on the other hand, has only 321 pins

Slot 1, Slot A, Socket 7 Q/ASlot 1, Slot A, Socket 7 Q/A

Q: Match the pictures to the socket/slot types:Q: Match the pictures to the socket/slot types:

AA BB CC

1 - Socket7, 1 - Socket7, 2 - Slot A, 2 - Slot A, 3 – Slot 1 3 – Slot 1

A: A – 2, B – 1, C – 3A: A – 2, B – 1, C – 3

Dual ProcessorDual Processor

A computer that contains two CPUs. Dual A computer that contains two CPUs. Dual processor systems (DP systems) have two processor systems (DP systems) have two independent CPU chips and differ from a independent CPU chips and differ from a dual core system (DC system), which has dual core system (DC system), which has two processors built into the same CPU two processors built into the same CPU chip.chip.Not all operating systems or programs (for Not all operating systems or programs (for example Word) are able to support dual example Word) are able to support dual processors. processors.

Quad ProcessorQuad Processor

A quad processor system is any system A quad processor system is any system with 4 CPUs working in parallel. Typically, with 4 CPUs working in parallel. Typically, all 4 CPUs are of the same type.all 4 CPUs are of the same type.

Quad processor systems are uncommon Quad processor systems are uncommon for home computer users.for home computer users.

Dual/Quad Processor Q/ADual/Quad Processor Q/A

Q: In a dual processor system, with optimized Q: In a dual processor system, with optimized software, what kind of system performance software, what kind of system performance increase are you likely to see?increase are you likely to see?

1.1. +75%+75%

2.2. +100%+100%

3.3. +125%+125%

A: 1) +75%. You will never achieve perfect A: 1) +75%. You will never achieve perfect performance (+100%) because there’s some performance (+100%) because there’s some overhead involved in the communication overhead involved in the communication between processors.between processors.

GPUGPU

It is a dedicated graphics depiction device for a PC or It is a dedicated graphics depiction device for a PC or game station. Modern GPUs are efficient at manipulating game station. Modern GPUs are efficient at manipulating and displaying computer graphics, and their parallel and displaying computer graphics, and their parallel structure makes them more successful than normal structure makes them more successful than normal CPUs for a range of complex algorithms. CPUs for a range of complex algorithms.

VRAMVRAM

Short for Short for vvideo ideo RAMRAM, and pronounced , and pronounced vee-ram.vee-ram.

This is a term generally used in computers to This is a term generally used in computers to describe RAM dedicated to the purpose of describe RAM dedicated to the purpose of displaying bitmap graphics in raster graphics displaying bitmap graphics in raster graphics (such as a graphics card). Video RAM is usually (such as a graphics card). Video RAM is usually physically separate from the main RAM residing physically separate from the main RAM residing in a computer system. This is not always the in a computer system. This is not always the case as in some systems the VRAM is shared case as in some systems the VRAM is shared with the system. with the system. Unlike conventional RAM, VRAM can be accessed by two different Unlike conventional RAM, VRAM can be accessed by two different devices simultaneously. This enables the RAMDAC to access the devices simultaneously. This enables the RAMDAC to access the VRAM for screen updates at the same time that the video processor VRAM for screen updates at the same time that the video processor provides new data. VRAM yields better graphics performance but is provides new data. VRAM yields better graphics performance but is more expensive than normal RAM. more expensive than normal RAM.

GPU, VRAM Q/AGPU, VRAM Q/A

Q: Name one of the two major Q: Name one of the two major manufacturers of GPUs and graphics manufacturers of GPUs and graphics cards in general.cards in general.

A: NVidia or ATIA: NVidia or ATI

PicturesPictures

ATI Radeon x850ATI Radeon x850

GeForce 7800 gtxGeForce 7800 gtx

PipeliningPipelining

Pipelining helps your processor work Pipelining helps your processor work faster. Each time you perform an faster. Each time you perform an action on your computer, your action on your computer, your processor must complete a sequence processor must complete a sequence of instructions. of instructions. Instead of completing one whole task Instead of completing one whole task and then starting the next, your and then starting the next, your computer lets the tasks overlap. This computer lets the tasks overlap. This overlap, which is the basis of overlap, which is the basis of pipelining, shortens the time pipelining, shortens the time dramatically.dramatically.

PipeliningPipelining A useful method of A useful method of demonstrating this is the demonstrating this is the laundry analogy. Let's say that laundry analogy. Let's say that there are four loads of dirty there are four loads of dirty laundry that need to be washed, laundry that need to be washed, dried, and folded. We could put dried, and folded. We could put the the first load in the washer the the first load in the washer for 30 minutes, dry it for 40 for 30 minutes, dry it for 40 minutes, and then take 20 minutes, and then take 20 minutes to fold the clothes. minutes to fold the clothes. Then pick up the second load Then pick up the second load and wash, dry, and fold, and and wash, dry, and fold, and repeat for the third and fourth repeat for the third and fourth loads. Supposing we started at loads. Supposing we started at 6 PM and worked as efficiently 6 PM and worked as efficiently as possible, we would still be as possible, we would still be doing laundry until midnight.doing laundry until midnight.

PipeliningPipelining

However, a smarter However, a smarter approach to the problem approach to the problem would be to put the second would be to put the second load of dirty laundry into the load of dirty laundry into the washer after the first was washer after the first was already clean and whirling already clean and whirling happily in the dryer. Then, happily in the dryer. Then, while the first load was while the first load was being folded, the second being folded, the second load would dry, and a third load would dry, and a third load could be added to the load could be added to the pipeline of laundry. Using pipeline of laundry. Using this method, the laundry this method, the laundry would be finished by 9:30.would be finished by 9:30.

PipeliningPipeliningYour processor does work in much the same way. Each action has five tasks: Your processor does work in much the same way. Each action has five tasks: fetch instructions from the memory, read registers and decode the instructions, fetch instructions from the memory, read registers and decode the instructions, excute the instruction or calculate an address, access an operand in data excute the instruction or calculate an address, access an operand in data memory, and write the result into a register. Each task takes a different amount memory, and write the result into a register. Each task takes a different amount of time, just like doing laundry - so the total length of time is dependent on the of time, just like doing laundry - so the total length of time is dependent on the longest step. With pipelining, your processor can complete an action in much longest step. With pipelining, your processor can complete an action in much less time.less time.A technique used in advanced A technique used in advanced microprocessorsmicroprocessors where the microprocessor where the microprocessor begins begins executingexecuting a second a second instructioninstruction before the first has been completed. That before the first has been completed. That is, several instructions are in the is, several instructions are in the pipelinepipeline simultaneously, each at a different simultaneously, each at a different processing stage. processing stage. The pipeline is divided into segments and each segment can execute its The pipeline is divided into segments and each segment can execute its operation concurrently with the other segments. When a segment completes an operation concurrently with the other segments. When a segment completes an operation, it passes the result to the next segment in the pipeline and fetches operation, it passes the result to the next segment in the pipeline and fetches the next operation from the preceding segment. The final results of each the next operation from the preceding segment. The final results of each instruction emerge at the end of the pipeline in rapid succession. instruction emerge at the end of the pipeline in rapid succession. Although formerly a Although formerly a featurefeature only of high-performance and only of high-performance and RISCRISC -based -based microprocessors, pipelining is now common in microprocessors used in microprocessors, pipelining is now common in microprocessors used in personal computerspersonal computers. Intel's Pentium . Intel's Pentium chipchip, for example, uses pipelining to execute , for example, uses pipelining to execute as many as six instructions simultaneously. as many as six instructions simultaneously. Pipelining is also called Pipelining is also called pipeline processing.pipeline processing.

PipeliningPipeliningA technique used in advanced microprocessors where the A technique used in advanced microprocessors where the microprocessor begins executing a second instruction before the first microprocessor begins executing a second instruction before the first has been completed. That is, several instructions are in the has been completed. That is, several instructions are in the pipelinepipeline simultaneously, each at a different processing stage. simultaneously, each at a different processing stage. The pipeline is divided into segments and each segment can execute The pipeline is divided into segments and each segment can execute its operation concurrently with the other segments. When a segment its operation concurrently with the other segments. When a segment completes an operation, it passes the result to the next segment in the completes an operation, it passes the result to the next segment in the pipeline and fetches the next operation from the preceding segment. pipeline and fetches the next operation from the preceding segment. The final results of each instruction emerge at the end of the pipeline The final results of each instruction emerge at the end of the pipeline in rapid succession. in rapid succession. Although formerly a feature only of high-performance and RISC -based Although formerly a feature only of high-performance and RISC -based microprocessors, pipelining is now common in microprocessors used microprocessors, pipelining is now common in microprocessors used in personal computers. Intel's Pentium chip, for example, uses in personal computers. Intel's Pentium chip, for example, uses pipelining to execute as many as six instructions simultaneously. pipelining to execute as many as six instructions simultaneously. Pipelining is also called Pipelining is also called pipeline processing.pipeline processing.

Pipelining Q/APipelining Q/A

Q: For which of the following tasks is pipelining Q: For which of the following tasks is pipelining likely to work best? Why?likely to work best? Why?

1.1. Surfing the webSurfing the web

2.2. Listening to musicListening to music

3.3. Word processingWord processing

4.4. Playing a video gamePlaying a video game

A: 2) Listening to music – pipelining works well A: 2) Listening to music – pipelining works well on large amounts of linear data, where few on large amounts of linear data, where few decisions have to be made and there is a decisions have to be made and there is a single clear path to follow.single clear path to follow.