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Microprocessors
Everything you don't understand about CPUs
63
Computer Science
Professional
05/10/2012

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Term
Microprocessor
Definition
The brain of the computer; alternatively known as CPU
Term
What is the grand-daddy of all CPUs?
Definition
Intel 8088
Term
EDB
Definition
External Data Bus; enables communication with the CPU; "lightbulb" system
Term
General-Purpose Registers
Definition
Where the CPU places code before exporting it to the EDB
Term
CLK Wire
Definition
Clock wire; wire that activates the CPU
Term
Clock Cycle
Definition
A single charge to the clock wire; millions of time a second
Term
Clock Speed
Definition
Max number of clock cycles a CPU can handle; ranges from 4.77 MHz (4.7 million/sec) to 4 GHz (4 billions/sec)
Term
System Crystal
Definition
Quartz oscillator that determines the speed at which the CPU and the rest of the PC operate
Term
Overclocking
Definition
Intentionally running a CPU at a higher clock speed than it is built for
Term
Program
Definition
Series of commands sent to a CPU in a specific order in order to perform work
Term
Memory
Definition
Devices that hold ones and zeros
Term
Branch
Definition
An if-statement; when combined with memory, allows CPUs to store not only programs but also the results of programs
Term
Random Access Memory
Definition
RAM
Term
DRAM
Definition
Dynamic RAM; RAM that requires power and occasional refresh of circuits
Term
MCC
Definition
Memory Controller Chip; controls what code moves from the RAM to the EDB
Term
Address Bus
Definition
Allows the CPU to communicate to the MCC what code it needs from the RAM; 2^[#of address bus wires] = bytes of RAM CPU can handle
Term
Address Space
Definition
# of bytes of RAM a CPU can handle; 2^[#of address bus wires]
Term
ALU
Definition
Arithmetic Logic Unit
Term
Who are the main manufacturers of CPUs?
Definition
Intel and AMD
Term
PGA
Definition
Pin-Grid Array; CPU packaging in a square with hundreds of pins
Term
ZIF Sockets
Definition
Zero Insertion Force Sockets; sockets that use an arm to hold the CPU in, so it doesn't snap in
Term
32-bit Processing
Definition
CPUs that have a 32 wire address bus and 32 bit registers
Term
What are the four processes of a CPU?
Definition
Fetch, Decode, Execute, and Write
Term
Pipelining
Definition
Conveyer-belt style processing where all four circuits are Fetching, Decoding, Executing, or Writing every clock cycle
Term
Pipelining Stalls
Definition
When a single stage of processing requires more than one clock cycle
Term
Integer unit
Definition
Circuit that handles basic math with no decimal points; 90% of processing is here; very fast
Term
FPU
Definition
Floating Point Unit; does complex mathematics, takes many clock-cycles to function
Term
Dual Pipelining
Definition
Intel gave the Pentium one main, do-everything pipeline, and one for only integer mathematics
Term
Threads
Definition
A series of instructions sent from a program to the CPU
Term
Wait States
Definition
Stalls when the RAM cannot supply code fast enough to the CPU
Term
SRAM
Definition
Static RAM; preloads as many instructions and data as possible in hopes that the CPU would need them again
Term
Cache
Definition
Another term for SRAM
Term
L1 Cache
Definition
First cache the CPU tries to use
Term
L2 Cache
Definition
Second cache the CPU checks
Term
Branch predictions
Definition
CPU uses a counter to predict whether the information in the cache would be useful or not at if-statements
Term
Clock Multiplying CPU
Definition
Multiplies the incoming clock signal to make the circuitry move faster by sending code from cache to cache rather than to the EDB
Term
Transistors
Definition
Electrical switches that allow the APU to handle code
Term
VRM
Definition
Voltage Regulator Module; Dampens down voltages for the CPU; now are obsolete
Term
Superscalar execution
Definition
The ability to execute more than one instruction in any one clock cycle
Term
Out-of-order processing
Definition
Ability for a CPU to process data out of order during a wait state
Term
Speculative execution
Definition
Predicting the result of an if-statement and running the result before running the branch itself as part of out-of-order processing
Term
Frontside bus
Definition
The address bus and the external data bus (connecting the CPU, MCC, and RAM)
Term
Backside Bus
Definition
Connects the CPU and the L2 cache (on-chip)
Term
MMX
Definition
Multi-Media Extensions; increases multipliers/clocks and improves processing for graphics
Term
SEC
Definition
Single Edge Cartridge; physical change in the packaging to allow for better cooling and more room for the L2 cache
Term
Quad-Pumped Frontside Bus
Definition
EDB is sampled for instruction four times per clock cycle
Term
Hyperthreading
Definition
Each pipeline can run more than one thread; appears to the computer as multiple CPUs
Term
SSM
Definition
System Management Mode; provides the CPU with the capability to turn off devices that use a lot of power
Term
Throttling
Definition
Allows CPUs to slow themselves down during low-demand times; Intel's "SpeedStep" and AMD's "PowerNow!"
Term
Do 64-bit CPUs use a 64-bit Address Bus?
Definition
No; there's no need. 64-bit address busses allow for 16 Exabytes of RAM
Term
PAC
Definition
Pin-Array Cartridge
Term
OLGA
Definition
Organic Land Grid Array
Term
What was unique about Intel's first 64-bit processors?
Definition
They weren't backwards-compatible with 32-bit operating systems
Term
What did integration of the memory controller into the CPU result in?
Definition
Elimination of the external MMC and eliminating of the idea of the frontside bus
Term
Dual-Core
Definition
Two CPUs in a single chip; two sets of pipelines, but shared caches and RAM
Term
Parallel processing
Definition
Processing multiple threads in separate cores at a single time
Term
Native quad-core
Definition
Four cores that have individual L1 &2 cores, but share an L3 core
Term
QPI
Definition
QuickPath Interconnect; alternative to the frontside bus
Term
SEP
Definition
Single Edge Processor; identical to the SEC, but without the protective casing
Term
What is the single most important piece of documentation for replacing your CPU?
Definition
The Motherboard Book
Term
What two items are necessary when replacing a CPU?
Definition
A proper heat-sink and cooling system (fan or liquid)
Term
Thermal Compound
Definition
Also Head-Dope; a compound spread on the CPU to prevent overheating
Term
How long (max) should the CPU run without the fan after replacing the CPU?
Definition
30 seconds
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