Processor

Definition

A processor or micro-processor is microchip that handles all instructions sent to it by the computer and software programs. Alternately referred to as a processor, central processor, or microprocessor, the CPU is the central processing unit of the computer. There are many processors available and processor specification is usually one of the first things considered when buying a new personal computer (PC). The type of processor and its clock rate(gigahertz/GHz) have the greatest impact on the overall performance of a computer system. The greater the gigahertz capacity of the processor, the quicker the computer will be able to process instructions sent to it.

Components

The processor's components are contained on a single integrated circuitry (IC) chip. The basic components of a processor are:

• The arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which carries out arithmetic and logic operations on the operands in instructions. 
• The Control Unit (CU), which extracts instructions from memory and decodes and executes them, calling on the ALU when necessary.
• Registers/Memory Unit, which hold instructions and other data. Registers supply operands to the ALU and store the results of operations.

The Processor's Components Diagram

x86 vs x64

The number of bits in a processor refers to the size of the data types that it handles and the size of its registry. A 64-bit processor is capable of storing 264 computational values, including memory addresses, which means it’s able to access over four billion times as much physical memory than a 32-bit processor. 32-bit processors are perfectly capable of handling a limited amount of RAM (4gb), and 64-bit processors are capable of utilizing much more.

Manufacturers

Processor manufacturers, such as Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) are continually developing more advanced processors and new models are released within the space of months rather than years. Most processors today are multi-core, which means that the IC contains two or more processors for enhanced performance, reduced power consumption and more efficient simultaneous processing of multiple tasks. Multi-core set-ups are similar to having multiple, separate processors installed in the same computer, but because the processors are actually plugged into the same socket, the connection between them is faster.

The CPU is often referred to as the brain of the computer.