What is a CPU?

Here at the help desk, we try to help people better help themselves. Computers are everywhere – they’ve become a huge part of our everyday and professional lives. Why wouldn’t we want to know a thing or two about them?

To help with that, we’ve started this new segment called “Knowing Stuff” where we’ll cover a computer-related topic each week to help you know your way around computers better. This week we’ll be explaining the term “CPU.”

What is a CPU?
CPU stands for Central Processing Unit.
A CPU is a microchip that is about two square inches or less inside your computer. It is responsible for most of the work your computer does. Because it’s so important, you want to make sure you have a good one.

Two companies dominate the consumer CPU market, called Intel and AMD. Each company’s CPUs have their merits, so if you’re in the market for a new computer, see what CPU (or simply “processor”) it has in it and check for reviews online.

The processor in your computer is usually identified by stickers like these:


CPUs nowadays have multiple cores in them. You might see words like “dual-core” and even “quad-core.” This essentially means that they have put two individual processors onto one CPU chip. This equates to better processing power and improved multitasking (running multiple programs at once.)

CPUs are not…
Now for a quick not about what CPUs are not. A CPU is not that big thing on or around your desk that your keyboard and mouse plug into. Your computer administrator cringes every time he/she hears you call it that, so don’t.

Proper alternative terms for that thing that isn’t a CPU are: Desktop, PC, case, box, tower, or simply just computer.

That’s this week’s Knowing Stuff. Hope to see you next week!
By Aaron W. Herd. April 3, 2008