The microprocessor (or just processor) is the basic and most complex incorporated circuit of a computer system; by way of illustration, it is often called by analogy the "brain" of a computer.
Is responsible for implementing programs from the operating system to user applications; only executes programmed in low-level language instructions, doing simple things such as add, subtract, multiply, divide, binary logic and memory accesses arithmetic and logical operations.
This central processing unit consists essentially of records, a control unit, arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and a calculation unit FP (formerly known as "math coprocessor").
The microprocessor is usually connected by a specific socket on the motherboard of the computer; normally for proper and stable operation, it is incorporated a cooling system comprising a heat sink made of a material of high thermal conductivity such as copper or aluminum, and one or more fans that remove excess heat absorbed by the sink. Between the heat sink and microprocessor capsule usually thermal paste is placed to improve heat conductivity. There are other more effective methods, such as liquid cooling or using peltier cells for extreme cooling, although these techniques are used almost exclusively for special occasions, such as in the practices of overclocking applications.
Measuring the performance of a microprocessor is a complex task, since there are different types of "charges" that can be processed with different effectiveness by processors of the same range. A performance metric is the clock frequency for comparing processors cores of the same family, this being a very limited indicator given the wide variety of designs with which the processors of the same brand and marketed reference. A high performance computer system may be equipped with various microprocessors working in parallel, and a microprocessor may, in turn, consist of several physical or logical cores. A physical core refers to an internal portion of quasi-independent microprocessor executes all activities of a solitary CPU, core logic is the simulation of a physical core to more efficiently distribute processing. There is a tendency to integrate as many elements within the processor itself, increasing energy efficiency and miniaturization. Among the elements are integrated floating point units, RAM drivers, bus drivers and dedicated video processors.
