1. Upgrading and Repairing PCs
Chapter 3

2. Processor Overview: ch 3
Brain of the PC
Intel, AMD, Cyrix, and Alpha are popular manufacturers
Speed is measured in MHz (megahertz) and soon GHz (Gigahertz)
Performance measured by speed (Mhz) and width (bus width)

3. Processor Specifications
Data Bus
Used to receive and transmit data
Internal Registers
Area for processor to calculate data
Memory Address Bus
Carries addressing information concerning where data is being sent or received from RAM

4. Processor Modes Real Mode Protected Mode Virtual Real Mode
16 bit instructions/use only 1MB of memory
Protected Mode
32 bit instructions/applications run in protected memory spaces
Virtual Real Mode
Used in Windows for backwards compatibility

5. Processor Features SMM (System Management Mode) Superscalar Execution
Power Mgmt. Standard used in portables
Superscalar Execution
Execute multiple instructions simultaneously

6. Processor Features MMX (Multi Media eXtensions) Dynamic Execution
Improves video, imaging, and I/O processing
Dynamic Execution
Anticipates a programs needs before hand
DIB Architecture (Dual Independent Bus)
Separate busses for memory access

7. Processor Features L1 cache L2 cache
Built into CPU
As fast as CPU, 90% success rate
L2 cache
Previously, always located on motherboard
Faster than RAM, slower than CPU
90% success rate
Trend: locating on CPU
Smaller faster cache better than slower bigger cache

8. Most Common Processor Sockets
Used by Pentium and Pentium MMX
Still being used by AMD and Cyrix under the name Super 7
Slot 1 - Used by Pentium II. Looks like a cartridge
Cache mounted in slot for faster access
Not used by any other manufacturer