The Central Processing Unit (CPU)
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The CPU is the most important part of any computer; it does the very
calculation work. Every computer must have a CPU, and mainframes and
servers often have more than one.
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In modern PCs there are many more integrated circuits (IC) that do
calculation work. There are several small processors on the
mainboard, the graphics adaptor has one, there is a processor in
every hard disk, and so on. Only the main, the central
processor ist referred to as CPU.
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Cyrix III CPU with 370 MHz, top- and bottom view
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There are several classes of CPUs that are not compatible with
each other:
- Intel x86 and derivates such as Cyrix and AMD Kx (for PCs)
- Motorola 68xxx (for Macintosh)
- Alpha (for Mainframes)
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