Computer Hardware Terms, Glossary and Dictionary

A central processing unit (CPU), also knonw as processor, refers to part of a computer that interprets and carries out, or processes, instructions and data contained in the software. Microprocessors are CPUs that are manufactured on integrated circuits, often as a single-chip package. Now these single-chip microprocessors have become the most common and prominent implementations of CPUs, and today the term is almost always applied to this form. There are many different CPU designs. But in general, the CPU consists of the control unit, the arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) and memory (registers, cache, RAM and ROM) as well as various temporary buffers and other logic. The control unit fetches instructions from memory and decodes them to produce signals which control the other part of the computer. This may cause it to transfer data between memory and ALU or to activate peripherals to perform input or output. CPU is also known as central processor or microprocessor.

Related Terms

CPU: Central Processing Unit