Microprocessors
What is a microprocessor?
What is it?
A microprocessor incorporates the functions of a computer's central processing unit (CPU) on a single integrated circuit (IC), or at most a few integrated circuits. It is a multipurpose, programmable device that accepts digital data as input, processes it according to instructions stored in its memory, and provides results as output.
Intel 4004
This is the Intel 4004 microprocessor, it is the first , general purpose commercial microprocessor.
Intel 80486DX2
An Intel 80486DX2 from the bottom.
Intel 80486DX2
An Intel 80486DX2 CPU from the top
Origins
In the 1960s, computer processors were constructed out of small and medium-scale ICs each containing from tens to a few hundred transistors. For each computer built, all of these had to be placed and soldered onto printed circuit boards, and often multiple boards would have to be interconnected in a chassis. The large number of discrete logic gates used more electrical power—and therefore, produced more heat—than a more integrated design with fewer ICs. The distance that signals had to travel between ICs on the boards limited the speed at which a computer could operate. Below you can see a large close up of a microprocessor.