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Questions tagged [processor]

A Processor incorporates the functions of a computer's central processing unit (CPU)

A Processor 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. It is an example of sequential digital logic, as it has internal memory. Microprocessors operate on numbers and symbols represented in the binary numeral system.

See also:

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How to determine whether a given Linux is 32 bit or 64 bit?

When I type uname -a, it gives the following output. Linux mars 2.6.9-67.0.15.ELsmp #1 SMP Tue Apr 22 13:50:33 EDT 2008 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux How can I know from this that the given OS is 32 or 64 bit? This is useful when writing configure…
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How do cache lines work?

I understand that the processor brings data into the cache via cache lines, which - for instance, on my Atom processor - brings in about 64 bytes at a time, whatever the size of the actual data being read. My question is: Imagine that you need to…
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What's the difference between a single precision and double precision floating point operation?

What is the difference between a single precision floating point operation and double precision floating operation? I'm especially interested in practical terms in relation to video game consoles. For example, does the Nintendo 64 have a 64 bit…
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What happened to clockless computer chips?

Several years ago, the 'next big thing' was clockless computers. The idea behind it was that without a clock, the processors would run significantly faster. That was then, this is now and I can't find any info on how it's been coming along or if…
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How to get the number of CPUs in Linux using C?

Is there an API to get the number of CPUs available in Linux? I mean, without using /proc/cpuinfo or any other sys-node file... I've found this implementation using sched.h: int GetCPUCount() { cpu_set_t cs; CPU_ZERO(&cs); sched_getaffinity(0,…
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What is a clock cycle and clock speed?

I have been reading a book about the Computer's Processor. And I came across some of the terms like clock Ticks, clock Cycle and clock Speed that I am finding very difficult to understand. I will be very thankful if someone can clarify this in a…
user7876385
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Getting processor information in Python

Using Python is there any way to find out the processor information... (I need the name) I need the name of the processor that the interpreter is running on. I checked the sys module but it has no such function. I can use an external library also if…
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The difference between Call Gate, Interrupt Gate, Trap Gate?

I am studying Intel Protected Mode. I found that Call Gate, Interrupt Gate, Trap Gate are almost the same. In fact, besides that Call Gate has the fields for parameter counter, and that these 3 gates have different type fields, they are identical in…
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what is difference between Superscaling and pipelining?

Well looks too simple a question to be asked but i asked after going through few ppts on both. Both methods increase instruction throughput. And Superscaling almost always makes use of pipelining as well. Superscaling has more than one execution…
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Polling or Interrupt based method

When should one use polling method and when should one use interrupt based method ? Are there scenarios in which both can be used ?
Karthik Balaguru
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Why is the size of L1 cache smaller than that of the L2 cache in most of the processors?

Why is the size of L1 cache smaller than that of the L2 cache in most of the processors ?
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Android Studio: Hardware backing HAL too slow, could only write 0 of 720 frames

I am getting an error in Android Studio, app cannot communicate with other app and two emulators working simultaneously use almost 100% of the processor. I am not getting any errors except Hardware backing HAL too slow, could only write 0 of 720…
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Determine word size of my processor

How do I determine the word size of my CPU? If I understand correct an int should be one word right? I'm not sure if I am correct. So should just printing sizeof(int) would be enough to determine the word size of my processor?
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Why is Intel Haswell XEON CPU sporadically miscomputing FFTs and ART?

During the last days I observed a behaviour of my new workstation I couldn't explain. Doing some research on this problem, there might be a possible bug in the INTEL Haswell architecture as well as in the current Skylake Generation. Before writing…
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What's a good source to learn about QEMU?

What book or website would you recommend to learn about QEMU? I'd like to see some usage examples as well as how to use the APIs.
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