Processor

This article or section should be merged with Central processing unit.

The exact term processor is a sub-system of a data processing system which processes received information after it has been encoded into data by the input sub-system. These data are then processed by the processing sub-system before being sent to the output sub-system where they are decoded back into information. However, in common parlance processor is usually referred to the microprocessor, the brains of the modern day computers.

The two major kinds of digital processors are the central processing unit (CPU) and the digital signal processor (DSP). There are two main types of processors: CISC and RISC.

There are also analogue audio processors, often used in studios and radio stations.

A person at a processing facility (such as for sorting mail) may also be called a processor.

External links

Links to processor company sites:

• Advanced Micro Devices
• Intel Semiconductor
• IBM Microelectronics
• AMCC
• Freescale (formerly of Motorola)
• ARM
• MIPS Technologies
• TI Semiconductors
• http://www.tomshardware.com/
• http://www.anandtech.com/
• http://www.overclockersclub.com/

Link to information on processor design:

• http://www.gamezero.com/team-0/articles/math_magic/micro/index.html