Functions of the CPU, How to test the performance of the CPU, Multi core processor

 The Four Primary Functions of the CPU

The CPU processes instructions it receives in the process of decoding data. In processing this data, the CPU performs four basic steps:

1. Fetch: Each instruction is stored in memory and has its own address. The processor takes this address number from the program counter, which is responsible for tracking which instructions the CPU should execute next.
2. Decode: All programs to be executed are translated into Assembly instructions. Assembly code must be decoded into binary instructions, which are understandable to your CPU. This step is called decoding.
3. Execute: While executing instructions, the CPU can do one of three things: Do calculations with its ALU, move data from one memory location to another, or jump to a different address.
4. Store: The CPU must give feedback after executing an instruction, and the output data is written to the memory. After executing an instruction, the CPU must provide feedback and write the output data into the memory. The number of operations that the CPU can perform depends on its speed (in GHz Hz), and 1 Hz is the speed at which an operation can be performed in one second. Generally, the speed of a computer is measured in gigahertz. 1 GHz is the speed required by the CPU to perform one million simple tasks. “Simple tasks” include the smallest steps that the processor can perform. Generally, the processor understands and executes assembly instructions that last four cycles. The faster the CPU, the more instructions it can execute in one second, but don’t let this number fool you. CPU speed is not the only indicator that affects computer performance. In order to obtain independent results, many other factors must be evaluated, such as CPU architecture, cache size, and bus speed. When buying a processor, don’t simply pursue the highest speed. Evaluate all factors.

Multi-core processor

Multi-core processors are actually CPUs with two or more independent cores, which are similar to ordinary processors. They execute program instructions. The main advantage of a multi-core processor is that it can run multiple instructions at the same time. This function greatly improves the performance speed, and all programs with parallel computing functions can run on multi-core processors.

How to test the performance of the CPU?

Various benchmarks and tools can be used to test CPU performance. These tools bring heavy workload to the CPU. However, since the overall performance of the computer involves multiple components (CPU, RAM, video processor, etc.), simultaneous evaluation is used Benchmarks for all these components are important.