Cores

From Hardware to Performance: Understanding Computer Architecture Computer architecture is the blueprint for how a computer’s parts are built and connected. It covers both the visible tools—the CPU, memory, and storage—and how they work together to run software. A solid architecture helps programs feel fast, respond smoothly, and use energy wisely. At the core is CPU design. A modern processor balances clock speed, which sets the number of cycles per second, with IPC, the amount of useful work done each cycle. The goal is to maximize performance per watt, not just push the clock higher. Techniques like speculative execution and out-of-order logic let the processor keep busy, even when some instructions depend on others. ...

Understanding Computer Hardware from CPU to Cache Understanding computer hardware helps you pick a PC, troubleshoot slow software, or just learn how computers work. This article focuses on the CPU and its cache, and shows how data moves from fast cores to slower memory. How the CPU fits into a system The CPU is the brain that performs calculations and makes decisions. Most desktops and laptops today have several cores. Each core can execute its own tasks, and some CPUs support multi‑threading, letting a core handle more than one thread at a time. The CPU talks to memory and storage through the motherboard and controllers. Key ideas to know are cores, threads, clock speed, cache, and memory bandwidth. ...