Chapter 6: Understanding and Assessing Hardware Megan Jansen Megan Jansen

The two units that comprise the CPU are the Control Unit and the ALU. Coordinates activities of all other computer components. Arithmetic Logic Unit (Alu) Responsible for performing all arithmetic calculations and makes logic comparison decisions. The control unit and the arithmetic logic unit are the two units that comprise the Central processing unit or CPU. The CPU is located on the motherboard and processes instructions, makes calculations, and manages the flow of information. The control unit coordinates activities of all other computer components. While the Arithmetic logic unit is responsible for performing all arithmetic calculations and makes logic comparison decisions. Megan Jansen

The Machine Cycle Process Step 1: The Machine Cycle Process In the first step of the Machine Cycle Process the required piece of data or instruction is acquired from RAM (random access memory). Step 1 of the machine cycle process fetches the data or instruction from RAM (random access memory). Megan Jansen

The Machine Cycle Process Step 2: Instructions are decoded into something the computer can understand. Step 2 of the machine cycle process decodes the instructions into something that the computer can process and understand. Megan Jansen

The Machine Cycle Process Step 3: After the data is read the instruction is then executed. The third step of the machine cycle process is the execution of the instruction. Megan Jansen

The Machine Cycle Process Step 4: The result of the execution of the information is stored in the RAM before fetching the next set of data or instruction. The final step of the Machine Cycle Process involves the result of the action being stored in the RAM before fetching the next instruction. Megan Jansen

Stop at 1:35. Megan Jansen

Where to find CPU information You can find basic information about your computer if you are running windows under system properties, which will tell you what CPU you have installed. Where to find CPU information For example: My personal laptop is a MacBook running iOS version 10.13.6 and has an i7 core processor. You can find basic information about your computer if you are running windows under system properties, which will tell you what CPU you have installed. However, I have a MacBook so in order to find system information you have to go to the about tab instead. As an example of the type of information you might find in system properties, my personal laptop is running iOS 10.13.6 and has a core i7 processor. Megan Jansen

How to choose the right CPU for your needs. Megan Jansen

Checking Benchmarks Performance Benchmarks: Measurements used to compare performance between processors. Benchmarks are generated by running software programs designed to push the limits of CPU performance. Sites like cpubenchmark.net can be used to check benchmarks. Checking Benchmarks To check if your CPU is performing at an adequate level checking benchmarks can be helpful. Performance benchmarks are measurements used to compare performance between processors. Benchmarks are generated by running software programs designed to push limits of CPU performance. Checking benchmarks can help you make a decision about which CPU you would need and whether you want to upgrade your CPU. Megan Jansen

CPU usage is another way to determine if your CPU is meeting your needs. CPU Usage: percentage of the time your CPU is working This can be used to decide whether or not to upgrade or if your computer performance is poor it could be do to the CPU working at too high of a percentage CPU usage over 90% will often result in poor performance and shows that a faster CPU would be beneficial. CPU Usage CPU usage is another way to determine if your CPU is meeting your needs. CPU usage shows the percentage of the time your CPU is working. This can be used to decide whether or not to upgrade or if your computer performance is poor it could be do to the CPU working at too high of a percentage. CPU usage over 90% will often result in poor performance and shows that a faster CPU would be beneficial. Megan Jansen