(185-26-3) Microprocessors

The CPUs that are rated with higher speeds have been tested and passed performance tests at higher speeds, unlike those rated at lower maximum speed.

How can central processing units (CPU) of the same make and model be rated at different speeds?

Programs come from random access memory (RAM) into the cache, and then the cache feeds the data into the CPU, thereby preventing delays caused by the CPU having to search and find data stored in computer RAM.

How does central processing unit (CPU) cache speed up a computer's memory access?

The type of fan outlet being used. A fan utility is unable to monitor and adjust the speed of a fan plugged into a two-prong fan outlet.

Motherboard fan utilities are used to monitor fan speeds and make speed adjustments. What should be checked before installing one of these utilities on a computer?

The CPU's microarchitecture.

Other than size, what differentiates central processing units (CPU) between different manufacturers?

Cache

To speed up memory access, what is added to the CPU?

The "brains" inside the Windows computer.

What is the general definition of a computer's central processing unit (CPU)?

There is disagreement among CPU manufactures regarding the optimal size of cache; smaller caches are faster than bigger caches, but bigger caches can hold more information.

What is the optimal size of cache that a central processing unit (CPU) should have for best processing speed?

The system crystal on the motherboard is what runs the CPU, but the CPU clock multiplier multiplies the motherboard clock speed.

What is the relationship of the system crystal on the motherboard to the central processing unit (CPU)?

Cores

What is the term for multiple CPU operating in parallel when they are combined into a single CPU in order to increase processing speed?

Hyper threading.

What microarchitecture that is specific to Intel central processing units (CPU) makes one core appear to operate as two or more?

Level 3.

Which of the three levels of cache assigned to a central processing units (CPU) microarchitecture runs at the motherboard speed or slightly faster and is typically 1 megabyte or larger?

Windows Vista.

Which version of Windows was the first that supported both 32- and 64-bit central processing units (CPU)?