Processor FAQs

The processor, also called the CPU or central processing unit, is the heart of any computer, the engine which performs calculations and executes the low-level instructions which make the computer function. Despite the processor's importance, however, many users know little about the processors in their computers.

Q: What is a processor?

A: The processor is a chip mounted on the computer's motherboard, which is the main circuit board inside the computer case. The processor performs calculations, draws data from memory, executes operations on data, places new values in memory and dispatches orders to other computer components. Types of processors include the Intel Pentium and Core series, AMD Athlon, PowerPC and ARM.

Q: What is clock speed?

A: Clock speed is a measure of the processor's speed based on the number of internal cycles per second executed by the processor. Clock speed is measured in megahertz (MHz) and gigahertz (GHz). Although clock speed is a useful measure of a processor's performance against other processors of the same type; real-world performance depends on a variety of other design features, making it difficult to use clock speed to accurately compare the performance of different types of processors.

Q: Which processors are the fastest?

A: It is impossible to name a single processor as the fastest, because different processors excel at different tasks and under different conditions. Additionally, processors designed for use in mobile devices, such as tablets and cell phones, are designed to run at a lower speed in order to consume less heat. Choosing a processor is more a matter of selecting a chip suited to a particular task than locating the model with the highest overall speed.