You are now entering the PC Anatomy portal

A CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the core processing component of a computer, often called its "brain" because it executes instructions, performs calculations, and manages the system's operations. It takes input, processes it by following instructions from software, and produces output, handling basic arithmetic, logic, and input/output (I/O) operations to run programs and applications.

How it works:

Receives instructions: The CPU receives instructions from the computer's memory (RAM) and storage (SSD/HDD).

Fetches and decodes: It fetches, decodes, and then acts on these instructions.

Executes operations: The CPU performs arithmetic (math), logic, and control operations to process data.

Manages components: It acts as the central control unit, telling other components what to do and managing the flow of information between them.

Key characteristics:

The "brain" of the computer: This analogy highlights its critical role in controlling and executing tasks.

A chip on the motherboard: The CPU is a tiny chip located on the computer's main circuit board, the motherboard.

Found in most devices: CPUs are not just in traditional computers but also in smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices.