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What is a CPU?

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Quick answer

A CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the main 'brain' of a computer. It carries out instructions — doing the calculations and logic that run programs. Its speed and number of cores largely determine how fast a computer feels. CPU stands for Central Processing Unit.

Key things to understand

  1. CPU stands for Central Processing Unit.
  2. It's the computer's main processor — its 'brain'.
  3. It executes instructions: math, logic, and control.
  4. More cores and higher speed mean faster performance.

People also ask

What does a CPU do?
It carries out the instructions of computer programs, performing the calculations and logic that make everything run.
What's the difference between a CPU and a GPU?
A CPU handles general tasks quickly one or a few at a time; a GPU does many similar tasks in parallel.
What are CPU cores?
Independent processing units within a CPU; more cores let it handle more tasks at once.