How the CPU affects the computer

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HOW DOES THE CPU CHIP AFFECT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM? We know the CPU chip is the workhorse of the system and it affects everything the computer can do. In determining how this chip affects the system, it is important to understand the different aspects that affect the speed of the CPU and therefore the computer system. This is especially important when purchasing a new computer as the purpose of computer use will greatly influence the choice of the different chips out in the market right now. A Gamer for example would want a high end chip because it has separate components that equal to higher performance. In this section, we will talk about the most important characteristics when analyzing the factors that affect the speed such as Clock Speed, Front Side Bus, Back Side Bus, Architecture, Internal Cache RAM and Others. Clock Speed This is the number of operations that can be performed per second. The CPU performs an instruction with each “tick” on the clock also known as cycle. If the clock speed is faster, this will make the CPU’s execution faster and the performance better. The clock speed is measured as a frequency. It used to be measured in megahertz but now it is measured in gigahertz. As an example, a CPU could have a clock speed of 500 Mhz or 500 million cycles per second. Even though each CPU has a set clock speed, this can be manipulated. It’s a process called Overclocking or Underclocking. • Overclocking is a process used to run the CPU or other components at a higher clock rate than specified by the manufacturer or its design. Specifically, the CPU multiplier and the Front Side Bus speed are manipulated to achieve overclocking. • Underclocking is the opposite of overclocking. It is a process used to run the CPU or other components at a lower clock rate than specified. The purpose of performing this process would be to reduce heat output and

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