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.

Market statistics

In 2003, about 44 billion US$ worth of microprocessors were manufactured and sold. http://www.wsts.org/press.html Although about half of that money was spent on CPUs used in desktop or laptop personal computers, those count for only about 0.2% of all CPUs sold.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

About 55% of all CPUs sold in the world are 8-bit microcontrollers. Over 2 billion 8-bit microcontrollers were sold in 1997.

Related Topics:
CPU - 8-bit - Microcontroller

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

http://www.circuitcellar.com/library/designforum/silicon_update/3/index.asp

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Less than 10% of all the CPUs sold in the world are 32-bit or more. Of all the 32-bit CPUs sold, about 2% are used in desktop or laptop personal computers.

Related Topics:
32-bit - Personal computer

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Taken as a whole, the average price for a microprocessor, microcontroller, or DSP is just over $6."

Related Topics:
Microprocessor - Microcontroller - DSP

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

http://www.embedded.com/shared/printableArticle.jhtml?articleID=9900861

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~