CPU

CPU

1. Cache

   • High Speed Buffer Memory
     • Located close tot the CPU
       • Used to store frequently used instructions
         • The larger the cache the quicker the CPU performs the fetch execute cycle
           • A small cache size will slow down the fetch execute cycle and slow the computers performance.

2. Clock Speed

   • Measured in cycles per second (hertz)
     • The higher the clock speed the quicker the CPU can perform the fetch execute cycle
       • A low clock speed will slow down how fast the CPU performs the fetch execute cycle and therefore slow down the computer's performance

3. Cores

   • A CPU can have more than one processor on its chip
     • A multiple core processor can run the fetch execute cycle in more than one instance
       • This is known as parallel processing and will increase the amount of instructions a CPU can fetch, decode and execute at the same time

4. The purpose of the CPU

   • The CPU is the brains of the computer and is used to process instructions
     • Follows the fetch execute cycle
       • Fetches instructions from memory, decodes instructions and then executes the instructions.

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