Processors

It is the 'brains' of a computer system. It is the processor that controls the working of all of the hardware and software.

The processor is also known as the Central Processing Unit(CPU). The processor can also be said as a microprocessor. 

Fig 1.1 Processor

Central Processing Unit

The basic elements of a processor:

The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), which carries out arithmetic and logic operations on the operands in instructions.

Fig 1.2 ALU

The Floating Point Unit (FPU), also known as a math co-processor or numeric co-processor, a specialized co-processor that manipulates numbers more quickly than the basic microprocessor circuitry can.

Fig 1.3 FPU

Registers, which hold instructions and other data. Registers supply operands to the ALU and store the results of operations.

Fig 1.4 Registers

L1 and L2 (Level 1 &2)cache memory. Their inclusion in the CPU saves time compared to having to get data from random access memory (RAM).

Fig 1.5 L1 & L2

Clock Speed

Clock speed is the rate at which a processor can complete a processing cycle. It is typically measured in megahertz or gigahertz. One megahertz is equal to one million cycles per second, while one gigahertz equals one billion cycles per second. This means a 1.8 GHz processor has twice the clock speed of a 900 MHz processor.

Fig 1.6 Clock Speed

Sources 

• McCormack, George. “1: The Operating Principles of Computers.” What Is a Processor?, www.sqa.org.uk/e-learning/FirstLine01CD/page_05.htm.
• “What Is Processor (CPU)? - Definition from WhatIs.com.” WhatIs.com, whatis.techtarget.com/definition/processor.
• “Clock Speed.” Clock Speed Definition, techterms.com/definition/clockspeed.