Microprocessor: Difference between revisions

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m SMP and multi-core design: replaced: hotly-contested → hotly contested
Put images of microprocessors in order and with year in parenthesis. There was too big of a jump from 8-bit to 64-bit, so instead have one notable 4-bit, one notable 8-bit, one notable 16-bit, one notable 32-bit, all of different companies.
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{{Short description|Computer processor contained on an integrated-circuit chip}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2022}}[[File:C4004 two lines.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|4-bit [[Intel 4004]] (1971) ]]
[[File:Motorola XC6800A 1.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|8-bit [[Motorola 6800]] (MC68001974)]]
 
[[File:TIIntel TMS1000NLLC8086 1.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Texas Instruments16-bit [[TexasIntel Instruments TMS1000|TMS10008086]] (1978)]]
[[File:C4004KL twoIBM linesPowerPC 601.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|32-bit [[IntelPowerPC 4004601]] (1993)]]
[[File:Scan des AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X 20240407 075.jpg|thumb|[[64-bit]], 32-core (64-threads), AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X based on [[x86-64]] [[Zen 4]] (2023)]]A '''microprocessor''' is a [[computer]] [[processor (computing)|processor]] for which the data processing logic and control is included on a single [[integrated circuit]] (IC), or a small number of ICs. The microprocessor contains the arithmetic, logic, and control circuitry required to perform the functions of a computer's [[central processing unit]] (CPU). The IC is capable of interpreting and executing program instructions and performing arithmetic operations.<ref>{{cite web |last=Orion |first=Veritas |date=2024-08-23 |title=What distinguishes a microprocessor from a microcontroller? |url=https://www.ampheo.com/blog/microprocessor-vs-microcontroller-comparison |website=Ampheo Electronics |publisher=Orion Veritas}}</ref> The microprocessor is a multipurpose, [[Clock signal|clock]]-driven, [[Processor register|register]]-based, [[digital integrated circuit]] that accepts [[binary code|binary]] data as input, processes it according to [[instruction (computing)|instruction]]s stored in its [[computer memory|memory]], and provides results (also in binary form) as output. Microprocessors contain both [[combinational logic]] and [[sequential logic|sequential digital logic]], and operate on numbers and symbols represented in the [[binary number]] system.
[[File:Motorola XC6800A 1.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|[[Motorola 6800]] (MC6800)]]
[[File:Scan des AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X 20240407 075.jpg|thumb|A modern [[64-bit]] [[x86-64]] processor (AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X, based on [[Zen 4]], 2023)]]
[[File:AMD Ryzen 7 1800X.jpg|thumb|AMD Ryzen 7 1800X (2017, based on [[Zen (microarchitecture)|Zen]]) processor in an [[socket AM4|AM4]] socket on a motherboard]]
 
A '''microprocessor''' is a [[computer]] [[processor (computing)|processor]] for which the data processing logic and control is included on a single [[integrated circuit]] (IC), or a small number of ICs. The microprocessor contains the arithmetic, logic, and control circuitry required to perform the functions of a computer's [[central processing unit]] (CPU). The IC is capable of interpreting and executing program instructions and performing arithmetic operations.<ref>{{cite web |last=Orion |first=Veritas |date=2024-08-23 |title=What distinguishes a microprocessor from a microcontroller? |url=https://www.ampheo.com/blog/microprocessor-vs-microcontroller-comparison |website=Ampheo Electronics |publisher=Orion Veritas}}</ref> The microprocessor is a multipurpose, [[Clock signal|clock]]-driven, [[Processor register|register]]-based, [[digital integrated circuit]] that accepts [[binary code|binary]] data as input, processes it according to [[instruction (computing)|instruction]]s stored in its [[computer memory|memory]], and provides results (also in binary form) as output. Microprocessors contain both [[combinational logic]] and [[sequential logic|sequential digital logic]], and operate on numbers and symbols represented in the [[binary number]] system.
 
The integration of a whole CPU onto a single or a few integrated circuits using [[Very-Large-Scale Integration]] (VLSI) greatly reduced the cost of processing power. Integrated circuit processors are produced in large numbers by highly automated [[metal–oxide–semiconductor]] (MOS) [[semiconductor device fabrication|fabrication processes]]. This results in a relatively low [[unit price]]. Single-chip processors increase reliability because there are fewer electrical connections that can fail. As [[Processor design|microprocessor designs]] improve, the cost of manufacturing a chip (with smaller components built on a semiconductor chip the same size), generally stays the same, according to [[Rock's law]].
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===Speed and power considerations===
[[File:Intel i9-9900K.jpg|thumb|Intel Core i9-9900K (2018, based on [[Coffee Lake]])]]
Microprocessors can be selected for differing applications based on their word size, which is a measure of their complexity. Longer word sizes allow each [[clock cycle]] of a processor to carry out more computation, but correspond to physically larger integrated circuit dies with higher standby and operating [[power consumption]].<ref name="cmicrotek">CMicrotek.
[http://cmicrotek.com/wordpress_159256135/?p=22 "8-bit vs 32-bit Micros"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714123158/http://cmicrotek.com/wordpress_159256135/?p=22 |date=2014-07-14 }}.</ref> 4-, 8- or 12-bit processors are widely integrated into microcontrollers operating embedded systems. Where a system is expected to handle larger volumes of data or require a more flexible [[user interface]], 16-, 32- or 64-bit processors are used. An 8- or [[16-bit]] processor may be selected over a 32-bit processor for [[system on a chip]] or microcontroller applications that require extremely [[low-power electronics]], or are part of a [[mixed-signal integrated circuit]] with noise-sensitive on-chip [[analog electronics]] such as high-resolution analog to digital converters, or both.