what is cpu

A CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is a complex set of electronic circuitry that runs a computers operating system and applications. It is the most important processor in a given computer and is responsible for executing instructions of a computer program, such as arithmetic, logic, controlling, and more. The CPU performs arithmetic, logic, and other operations to transform data input into more usable information output. It is responsible for doing all the work and performs every single action a computer does and executes programs. The CPU is located on a computers motherboard, which is the main circuit board inside a computer that connects all hardware components together. Most modern CPUs are implemented on integrated circuit (IC) microprocessors, with one or more CPUs on a single IC chip. CPUs can contain multiple cores, which can be multithreaded to create additional virtual or logical CPUs. Running multiple processor units simultaneously allows for multi-tasking and can dramatically improve performance.