SECTION 4B CPUs Used in Personal Computers

This lesson introduces: A Look Inside the Processor Microcomputer Processors Parallel Processing Extending the Processor's Power to Other Devices

CPUs Used in Personal Computers – Intel Processors Since 1978, Intel's processors have evolved from the 8086 and the 8088 to the 80286, 80386, and 80486, to the Pentium family of processors. All are part of the 80x86 line. Intel's Pentium family of processors includes the Pentium, Pentium Pro, Pentium with MMX, Pentium II, Pentium III processors. The earliest Intel processors included only a few thousand transistors. Today's Pentium processors include 9.5 million transistors or more.

Intel’s Pentium III processor

CPUs Used in Personal Computers – AMD Processors Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) was long known as a provider of lower-performance processors for use in low-cost computers. With its K6 line of processors, AMD challenged Intel's processors in terms of both price and performance. With the K6-III processor, AMD broke the 600 MHz barrier, claiming the "fastest processor" title for the first time in IBM-compatible computers.

The AMD K6-III processor

The Cyrix Processor

CPUs Used in Personal Computers – Motorola Processors Motorola makes the CPUs used in Macintosh and PowerPC computers. Macintosh processors use a different basic structural design (architecture) than IBM-compatible PC processors. With the release of the G3 and G4 PowerPC processors, Macintosh computers set new standards for price and performance.

Apple’s G4 computers are based on Motorola processors

In parallel processing, multiple processors are used in a single system, enabling them to share processing tasks. In a massively parallel processor (MPP) system, many processors are used. Some MPP systems utilize thousands of processors simultaneously. CPUs Used in Personal Computers -Parallel Processing

Ports Expansion Slots and Boards Extending the Processor's Power to Other Devices

External devices—such as those used for input and output—are connected to the system by ports on the back of the computer. PCs feature a number of built-in ports, which are ready to accept devices such as a printer, mouse, keyboard, phone line, microphone and speakers, and others. Most computers come with a serial port and a parallel port. A serial port transmits one bit of data at a time with a UART chip; a parallel port transmits data one byte at a time. Extending the Processor's Power to Other Devices – Ports

Newer bus technologies such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) and IEEE 1394 enable many devices to be connected to one port. Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) is an older standard for extending the bus to multiple devices through a single port. Extending the Processor's Power to Other Devices – Ports

If the PC does not have a port for an external device, you can install an expansion board into one of the empty expansion slots. A board provides the correct port for the new device, and connects the device to the CPU by way of the computer's expansion bus. Adding Other Devices – Expansion Slots and Boards

PC Card Initially called a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) card Categories: Type I, Type II, and Type III Plug and Play Without plug and play: must manually resolve the conflicts between the new hardware and other components Adding Other Devices – Expansion Slots and Boards

Section 4b Review Name the three best-known families of CPUs and list their differences. List all the processors in Intel’s 80x86 line of processors. Differentiate the processors used in Macintosh and IBM-compatible PCs. Identify one advantage of using multiple processors in computers.