SettingsCentral processing unit
Accelerated processing unit
An accelerated processing unit (APU) is a processing system that includes additional processing capability designed to accelerate one or more types of computations outside of a CPU. This may in...
An accelerated processing unit (APU) is a processing system that includes additional processing capability designed to accelerate one or more types of computations outside of a CPU. This may in...
Accumulator (computing)
In a computer's central processing unit (CPU), an accumulator is a register in which intermediate arithmetic and logic results are stored.
In a computer's central processing unit (CPU), an accumulator is a register in which intermediate arithmetic and logic results are stored.
Advanced Load Address Table
The Advanced Load Address Table (ALAT) is a functional unit in the Intel Itanium processor architecture.
The Advanced Load Address Table (ALAT) is a functional unit in the Intel Itanium processor architecture.
Arithmetic logic unit
In computing, an arithmetic and logic unit is a digital circuit that performs arithmetic and logical operations.
In computing, an arithmetic and logic unit is a digital circuit that performs arithmetic and logical operations.
ARM architecture
ARM is a 32-bit reduced instruction set computer (RISC) instruction set architecture (ISA) developed by ARM Holdings.
ARM is a 32-bit reduced instruction set computer (RISC) instruction set architecture (ISA) developed by ARM Holdings.
ARM Holdings
ARM Holdings plc is a British multinational semiconductor and software design company headquartered in Cambridge.
ARM Holdings plc is a British multinational semiconductor and software design company headquartered in Cambridge.
Barrel processor
A barrel processor is a CPU that switches between threads of execution on every cycle.
A barrel processor is a CPU that switches between threads of execution on every cycle.
Berkeley RISC
Berkeley RISC was one of two seminal research projects into RISC-based microprocessor design taking place under ARPA's VLSI project.
Berkeley RISC was one of two seminal research projects into RISC-based microprocessor design taking place under ARPA's VLSI project.
Bit slicing
Bit slicing is a technique for constructing a processor from modules of smaller bit width.
Bit slicing is a technique for constructing a processor from modules of smaller bit width.
Bumpless Build-up Layer
Bumpless Build-up Layer or BBUL is a processor packaging technology developed by Intel.
Bumpless Build-up Layer or BBUL is a processor packaging technology developed by Intel.
Byte addressing
Byte addressing refers to hardware architectures which support accessing individual bytes of data rather than only larger units called words, which would be word-addressable.
Byte addressing refers to hardware architectures which support accessing individual bytes of data rather than only larger units called words, which would be word-addressable.
Central processing unit
The central processing unit in early days central processor unit is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, to perform the basic arithmeti...
The central processing unit in early days central processor unit is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, to perform the basic arithmeti...
Cloud Chip
A cloud chip, or SCC chip is a computer processor containing dozens of 'cores.'
A cloud chip, or SCC chip is a computer processor containing dozens of 'cores.'
Computer architecture
In computer science and engineering, computer architecture is the practical art of defining the structure and relationship of the subcomponents of a computer.
In computer science and engineering, computer architecture is the practical art of defining the structure and relationship of the subcomponents of a computer.
Computer cooling
Computer cooling is required to remove the waste heat produced by computer components, to keep components within permissible operating temperature limits.
Computer cooling is required to remove the waste heat produced by computer components, to keep components within permissible operating temperature limits.
Computer for operations with functions
Computer for operations with functions operates with functions at the hardware level.
Computer for operations with functions operates with functions at the hardware level.
Control register
A control register is a processor register which changes or controls the general behavior of a CPU or other digital device.
A control register is a processor register which changes or controls the general behavior of a CPU or other digital device.
Coprocessor
A coprocessor is a computer processor used to supplement the functions of the primary processor.
A coprocessor is a computer processor used to supplement the functions of the primary processor.
CPU bound
In computer science, CPU bound (or compute bound) is when the time for a computer to complete a task is determined principally by the speed of the central processor: processor utilization ...
In computer science, CPU bound (or compute bound) is when the time for a computer to complete a task is determined principally by the speed of the central processor: processor utilization ...
CPU cache
A CPU cache is a cache used by the central processing unit of a computer to reduce the average time to access memory.
A CPU cache is a cache used by the central processing unit of a computer to reduce the average time to access memory.
CPU card
A CPU card is a printed circuit board (PCB) that contains the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer.
A CPU card is a printed circuit board (PCB) that contains the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer.
CPU core voltage
The CPU core voltage (VCORE) is the power supply voltage supplied to the CPU (which is a digital circuit), GPU, or other device containing a processing core.
The CPU core voltage (VCORE) is the power supply voltage supplied to the CPU (which is a digital circuit), GPU, or other device containing a processing core.
CPU design
CPU design is the design engineering task of creating a central processing unit (CPU), a component of computer hardware.
CPU design is the design engineering task of creating a central processing unit (CPU), a component of computer hardware.
CPU locking
CPU locking is the process of permanently setting a CPU's clock multiplier.
CPU locking is the process of permanently setting a CPU's clock multiplier.
CPU modes
CPU modes (also called processor modes, CPU states, CPU privilege levels and other names) are operating modes for the central processing unit of some computer architectures that plac...
CPU modes (also called processor modes, CPU states, CPU privilege levels and other names) are operating modes for the central processing unit of some computer architectures that plac...
CPU power dissipation
Central processing unit power dissipation or CPU power dissipation is the process in which central processing units (CPUs) consume electrical energy, and dissipate this energy both by the ...
Central processing unit power dissipation or CPU power dissipation is the process in which central processing units (CPUs) consume electrical energy, and dissipate this energy both by the ...
CPU shielding
CPU shielding is a practice where on a multiprocessor system or on a CPU with multiple cores, real-time tasks can run on one CPU or core while non-real-time tasks run on another.
CPU shielding is a practice where on a multiprocessor system or on a CPU with multiple cores, real-time tasks can run on one CPU or core while non-real-time tasks run on another.
CPU time
CPU time is the amount of time for which a central processing unit was used for processing instructions of a computer program, as opposed to, for example, waiting for input/output operations.
CPU time is the amount of time for which a central processing unit was used for processing instructions of a computer program, as opposed to, for example, waiting for input/output operations.
Cycle stealing
Cycle stealing is used to describe the "stealing" of a single CPU cycle, for example, to allow a DMA controller to perform a DMA operation.
Cycle stealing is used to describe the "stealing" of a single CPU cycle, for example, to allow a DMA controller to perform a DMA operation.
Datapath
A datapath is a collection of functional units, such as arithmetic logic units or multipliers, that perform data processing operations.
A datapath is a collection of functional units, such as arithmetic logic units or multipliers, that perform data processing operations.
Delay insensitive circuit
A delay insensitive circuit is a type of asynchronous circuit which performs a digital logic operation often within a computing processor chip.
A delay insensitive circuit is a type of asynchronous circuit which performs a digital logic operation often within a computing processor chip.
Dirty bit
The computer hardware concept of a Dirty Bit can be used when discussing the Cache or Page replacement algorithms of an operating system.
The computer hardware concept of a Dirty Bit can be used when discussing the Cache or Page replacement algorithms of an operating system.
Double fault
On the x86 architecture, a double fault exception occurs if the processor encounters a problem while trying to service a pending interrupt or exception.
On the x86 architecture, a double fault exception occurs if the processor encounters a problem while trying to service a pending interrupt or exception.
Dual-voltage CPU
A dual-voltage CPU uses a split-rail design to allow lower voltages to be used in the processor core while the external Input/Output (I/O) voltages remain 3.3 volts for backwards com...
A dual-voltage CPU uses a split-rail design to allow lower voltages to be used in the processor core while the external Input/Output (I/O) voltages remain 3.3 volts for backwards com...
Dynamic frequency scaling
Dynamic frequency scaling is a technique in computer architecture whereby the frequency of a microprocessor can be automatically adjusted "on the fly," either to conserve power or to reduce the ...
Dynamic frequency scaling is a technique in computer architecture whereby the frequency of a microprocessor can be automatically adjusted "on the fly," either to conserve power or to reduce the ...
Execution unit
In computer engineering, an execution unit is a part of a CPU that performs the operations and calculations called for by the Central Processing Unit, which receives data from the RAM/HDD.
In computer engineering, an execution unit is a part of a CPU that performs the operations and calculations called for by the Central Processing Unit, which receives data from the RAM/HDD.
Flag (computing)
In computer programming, flag refers to one or more bits that are used to store a binary value or code that has an assigned meaning.
In computer programming, flag refers to one or more bits that are used to store a binary value or code that has an assigned meaning.
Flag word
A flag word is a generic term for a word (value) used to indicate conditions within a binary computer.
A flag word is a generic term for a word (value) used to indicate conditions within a binary computer.
FLAGS register (computing)
The FLAGS register is the status register in Intel x86 microprocessors that contains the current state of the processor.
The FLAGS register is the status register in Intel x86 microprocessors that contains the current state of the processor.
Floating-point unit
A floating-point unit (FPU, colloquially a math coprocessor) is a part of a computer system specially designed to carry out operations on floating point numbers.
A floating-point unit (FPU, colloquially a math coprocessor) is a part of a computer system specially designed to carry out operations on floating point numbers.
Frequency scaling
In computer architecture, frequency scaling (also known as frequency ramping) is the technique of ramping a processor's frequency so as to achieve performance gains.
In computer architecture, frequency scaling (also known as frequency ramping) is the technique of ramping a processor's frequency so as to achieve performance gains.
Hardware acceleration
In computing, Hardware acceleration is the use of computer hardware to perform some function faster than is possible in software running on the general-purpose CPU. Examples of hardware accelera...
In computing, Hardware acceleration is the use of computer hardware to perform some function faster than is possible in software running on the general-purpose CPU. Examples of hardware accelera...
Hardware performance counter
In computers, hardware performance counters, or hardware counters are a set of special-purpose registers built into modern microprocessors to store the counts of hardware-related activities with...
In computers, hardware performance counters, or hardware counters are a set of special-purpose registers built into modern microprocessors to store the counts of hardware-related activities with...
Hardware register
In digital electronics, especially computing, a hardware register stores bits of information, in a way that all the bits can be written to or read out simultaneously.
In digital electronics, especially computing, a hardware register stores bits of information, in a way that all the bits can be written to or read out simultaneously.
History of general purpose CPUs
The history of general purpose CPUs is a continuation of the earlier history of computing hardware.
The history of general purpose CPUs is a continuation of the earlier history of computing hardware.
Index register
An index register in a computer's CPU is a processor register used for modifying operand addresses during the run of a program, typically for doing vector/array operations.
An index register in a computer's CPU is a processor register used for modifying operand addresses during the run of a program, typically for doing vector/array operations.
Instruction set
An instruction set, or instruction set architecture (ISA), is the part of the computer architecture related to programming, including the native data types, instructions, registers, addres...
An instruction set, or instruction set architecture (ISA), is the part of the computer architecture related to programming, including the native data types, instructions, registers, addres...
Instruction unit
The instruction unit in a CPU is responsible for maintaining the fetch pipeline and for dispatching instructions.
The instruction unit in a CPU is responsible for maintaining the fetch pipeline and for dispatching instructions.
Link register
A link register, in many instruction set architectures such as the PowerPC, ARM, and the PA-RISC, is a special purpose register which holds the address to return to when a function call completes.
A link register, in many instruction set architectures such as the PowerPC, ARM, and the PA-RISC, is a special purpose register which holds the address to return to when a function call completes.
Little man computer
The Little Man Computer (LMC) is an instructional model of a computer, created by Dr. Stuart Madnick in 1965.
The Little Man Computer (LMC) is an instructional model of a computer, created by Dr. Stuart Madnick in 1965.
LNX Code 8
The LNX Code 8 is the central processor chip used in the Elonex ONE range of notebook computers announced in early 2008.
The LNX Code 8 is the central processor chip used in the Elonex ONE range of notebook computers announced in early 2008.
Micro-operation
In computer central processing units, micro-operations (also known as a micro-ops or μops) are detailed low-level instructions used in some designs to implement complex machine instr...
In computer central processing units, micro-operations (also known as a micro-ops or μops) are detailed low-level instructions used in some designs to implement complex machine instr...
Microarchitecture
In computer engineering, microarchitecture (sometimes abbreviated to µarch or uarch), also called computer organization, is the way a given instruction set architecture (ISA) is implemente...
In computer engineering, microarchitecture (sometimes abbreviated to µarch or uarch), also called computer organization, is the way a given instruction set architecture (ISA) is implemente...
Microcode
Microcode is a layer of hardware-level instructions or data structures involved in the implementation of higher level machine code instructions in many computers and other processors; it resides...
Microcode is a layer of hardware-level instructions or data structures involved in the implementation of higher level machine code instructions in many computers and other processors; it resides...
Microcontroller
A microcontroller (sometimes abbreviated µC, uC or MCU) is a small computer on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output pe...
A microcontroller (sometimes abbreviated µC, uC or MCU) is a small computer on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output pe...
Microsequencer
In computer architecture and engineering, a sequencer or microsequencer is a part of the control unit of a CPU. It generates the addresses used to step through the microprogram of a contro...
In computer architecture and engineering, a sequencer or microsequencer is a part of the control unit of a CPU. It generates the addresses used to step through the microprogram of a contro...
MikroSim
The program MikroSim is an educational software for hardware-non-specific explanation of the general functioning and behaviour of a virtual processor, running on the operating system Microsoft W...
The program MikroSim is an educational software for hardware-non-specific explanation of the general functioning and behaviour of a virtual processor, running on the operating system Microsoft W...
Minimal instruction set computer
Minimal Instruction Set Computer (MISC) is a processor architecture with a very small number of basic operations and corresponding opcodes.
Minimal Instruction Set Computer (MISC) is a processor architecture with a very small number of basic operations and corresponding opcodes.
MIPS-X
MIPS-X is a microprocessor and instruction set architecture developed as a follow-on project to the MIPS architecture at Stanford University by the same team that developed MIPS. The project, su...
MIPS-X is a microprocessor and instruction set architecture developed as a follow-on project to the MIPS architecture at Stanford University by the same team that developed MIPS. The project, su...
Mobile processor
A mobile processor is a CPU designed to save power.
A mobile processor is a CPU designed to save power.
Motorola 68000 family
The Motorola 680x0/m68k/68k/68K is a family of 32-bit CISC microprocessors.
The Motorola 680x0/m68k/68k/68K is a family of 32-bit CISC microprocessors.
Multithreading (computer architecture)
Multithreading computers have hardware support to efficiently execute multiple threads.
Multithreading computers have hardware support to efficiently execute multiple threads.
NX bit
The NX bit, which stands for No eXecute, is a technology used in CPUs to segregate areas of memory for use by either storage of processor instructions (or code) or for storage of data, a...
The NX bit, which stands for No eXecute, is a technology used in CPUs to segregate areas of memory for use by either storage of processor instructions (or code) or for storage of data, a...
Order code processor
Order Code Processor (OCP) is a term used in ICL 2900 Series and ICL Series 39 machines for central processing unit (CPU).
Order Code Processor (OCP) is a term used in ICL 2900 Series and ICL Series 39 machines for central processing unit (CPU).
Page (computer memory)
A page, memory page, or virtual page is a fixed-length contiguous block of virtual memory that is the smallest unit of data for the following: a page is a memory block in the main me...
A page, memory page, or virtual page is a fixed-length contiguous block of virtual memory that is the smallest unit of data for the following: a page is a memory block in the main me...
Parity flag
In computer processors the parity flag indicates if the number of set bits is odd or even in the binary representation of the result of the last operation.
In computer processors the parity flag indicates if the number of set bits is odd or even in the binary representation of the result of the last operation.
Processor register
In computer architecture, a processor register is a small amount of storage available as part of a CPU or other digital processor.
In computer architecture, a processor register is a small amount of storage available as part of a CPU or other digital processor.
Processor supplementary capability
A processor supplementary capability is a feature that has been added to an existing central processing unit design after the initial introduction of that design to the marketplace.
A processor supplementary capability is a feature that has been added to an existing central processing unit design after the initial introduction of that design to the marketplace.
Program counter
The program counter, or PC is a processor register that indicates where the computer is in its instruction sequence.
The program counter, or PC is a processor register that indicates where the computer is in its instruction sequence.
Program status word
A status register or flag register (also: condition code register, program status word etc.) is a collection of flag bits for a processor.
A status register or flag register (also: condition code register, program status word etc.) is a collection of flag bits for a processor.
Project Denver
Project Denver is a ARM architecture CPU being designed by Nvidia, targeted at personal computers, servers, and supercomputers.
Project Denver is a ARM architecture CPU being designed by Nvidia, targeted at personal computers, servers, and supercomputers.
Register window
In computer engineering, the use of register windows is a technique to improve the performance of a particularly common operation, the procedure call.
In computer engineering, the use of register windows is a technique to improve the performance of a particularly common operation, the procedure call.
Rekursiv
Rekursiv was a computer processor designed by David M. Harland in the mid-1980s for Linn Smart Computing in Glasgow, Scotland.
Rekursiv was a computer processor designed by David M. Harland in the mid-1980s for Linn Smart Computing in Glasgow, Scotland.
Reset vector
Reset vector is a computing term used to describe the default location a central processing unit will go to find the first instruction it will execute after a reset.
Reset vector is a computing term used to describe the default location a central processing unit will go to find the first instruction it will execute after a reset.
Ring (computer security)
In computer science, hierarchical protection domains, often called protection rings, are a mechanism to protect data and functionality from faults (fault tolerance) and malicious behaviou...
In computer science, hierarchical protection domains, often called protection rings, are a mechanism to protect data and functionality from faults (fault tolerance) and malicious behaviou...
Scalar processor
Scalar processors represent the simplest class of computer processors.
Scalar processors represent the simplest class of computer processors.
Stack register
A stack register is a computer central processor register whose purpose is to keep track of a call stack.
A stack register is a computer central processor register whose purpose is to keep track of a call stack.
Static core
Static core is a central processing unit (CPU) chip that can be clocked down to zero hertz.
Static core is a central processing unit (CPU) chip that can be clocked down to zero hertz.
Status register
A status register or flag register is a collection of flag bits for a processor.
A status register or flag register is a collection of flag bits for a processor.
Stepping level
The term stepping level in the context of CPU architecture or integrated circuitry is a version number.
The term stepping level in the context of CPU architecture or integrated circuitry is a version number.
Stride scheduling
Stride scheduling mechanism has been introduced as a simple concept to achieve proportional CPU capacity reservation among concurrent processes.
Stride scheduling mechanism has been introduced as a simple concept to achieve proportional CPU capacity reservation among concurrent processes.
Tag RAM
Content-addressable memory (CAM) is a special type of computer memory used in certain very high speed searching applications.
Content-addressable memory (CAM) is a special type of computer memory used in certain very high speed searching applications.
Teraflops Research Chip
The Teraflops Research Chip (also called Polaris) is a research processor containing 80 cores developed by Intel Corporation's Tera-Scale Computing Research Program.
The Teraflops Research Chip (also called Polaris) is a research processor containing 80 cores developed by Intel Corporation's Tera-Scale Computing Research Program.
Test register
A test register, in the Intel 80486 processor, is a register used by the processor, usually to do a self-test.
A test register, in the Intel 80486 processor, is a register used by the processor, usually to do a self-test.
Thermal Head
The Thermal Head™ is a component of a metrological device created to aid in development of new CPUs and chipsets.
The Thermal Head™ is a component of a metrological device created to aid in development of new CPUs and chipsets.
Tile processor
Tile processors are multicore or manycore chips that contain one-dimensional, or more commonly, two-dimensional arrays of identical tiles.
Tile processors are multicore or manycore chips that contain one-dimensional, or more commonly, two-dimensional arrays of identical tiles.
Translation lookaside buffer
A translation lookaside buffer (TLB) is a cache that memory management hardware uses to improve virtual address translation speed.
A translation lookaside buffer (TLB) is a cache that memory management hardware uses to improve virtual address translation speed.
Uniprocessor system
A uniprocessor system is a computer system with a single central processing unit.
A uniprocessor system is a computer system with a single central processing unit.
Vector processor
A vector processor, or array processor, is a central processing unit (CPU) that implements an instruction set containing instructions that operate on one-dimensional arrays of data called ...
A vector processor, or array processor, is a central processing unit (CPU) that implements an instruction set containing instructions that operate on one-dimensional arrays of data called ...
Voltage Identification Digital
Voltage Identification Digital or VID is a circuit concept developed to provide the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer with the appropriate supply voltage.
Voltage Identification Digital or VID is a circuit concept developed to provide the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer with the appropriate supply voltage.
Wait state
A wait state is a delay experienced by a computer processor when accessing external memory or another device that is slow to respond.
A wait state is a delay experienced by a computer processor when accessing external memory or another device that is slow to respond.
Zero instruction set computer
In computer science, Zero Instruction Set Computer refers to a chip technology based on pure pattern matching and absence ofinstructions in the classical sense.
In computer science, Zero Instruction Set Computer refers to a chip technology based on pure pattern matching and absence ofinstructions in the classical sense.