Microprocessor

A microprocessor (abbreviated as µP or uP) is a computer electronic component made from miniaturized transistors on a single semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) (aka microchip or just chip). The central processing unit (CPU) is the most well known microprocessor, but many other components in a computer have them, such as the GPU on a video card.

Related Topics:
Computer - Electronic - Transistor - Semiconductor - Integrated circuit (IC) - Central processing unit (CPU) - GPU

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Before the advent of microprocessors, electronic CPUs were made from individual small-scale integrated circuits containing the equivalent of only a few transistors. By integrating the processor onto one or a very few large-scale integrated circuit packages (containing the equivalent of thousands or millions of discrete transistors), the cost of processor power was greatly reduced. See History of computing hardware for pre-electronic and early electronic computers.

Related Topics:
Transistor - History of computing hardware

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The evolution of microprocessors has been known to follow Moore's Law when it comes to steadily increasing performance over the years. This law suggests that the complexity of an integrated circuit, with respect to minimum component cost will double in about 18 months. A rule that has been generally followed, unconsciously, since the early 1970's. From humble beginnings as the drivers for calculators, the continued increase in power has led to the dominance of microprocessors over every other form of computer; every system from the largest mainframes to the smallest handheld computers now use a microprocessor at their core.

Related Topics:
Moore's Law - Mainframe - Handheld computer

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