In today’s modern world it’s amazing how we use our computers daily to play games, write papers, check e-mail, browse Facebook, Myspace or YouTube, shop online, and even video chat via Skype with friends and family across the world, and the list doesn’t stop here.
It’s also just as amazing that the vast majority of us have also never ever thought about the complexity behind the brains of our computers, cell phones, or other digital gadgets despite using them them day in and day out.
See, on an inner most layer a computer processor/CPU functions via a complex highly sophisticated array of microscopic wires and switches called transistors in which electricity passes and controls. The modern microprocessor is simply amazing and some chips not much bigger than your finger nail have over 1 billion microscopic switches. Try to picture having 1 billion light switches in your home. Without the invention of the microprocessor we wouldn’t have cell phones, laptops, desktops, iPhones, iPads, or any computing system for that matter.
Despite this engineering marvel, most daily computer users have never once thought about how amazing a modern computer microprocessor really is. Even the most technical of individuals who may understand the inner workings of a computer rarely ever think about the marvel of a modern microprocessor during even their day to day digital lives either. Without this invention can you imagine the world today without all our precious digital devices? At the minimum communication would be so very limited that we’d all probably still be relying on big yellow phone books to find information and ole school phones for communication.
Sure knowing about how processors work isn’t necessary to use an iPhone, laptop or desktop, check e-mail, watch videos on YouTube or play a video game, but we highly recommend you learn what lies behind the machine you use daily, it really is quite fascinating. One of our favorite places to learn about how something works is HowStuffWorks.com, and they have a great easy to understand tutorial on how microprocessors work. You should totally check the site out if you haven’t already, it’s pretty sweet.
Of course we’ve also recently written some great articles of our own on computer microprocessors that we highly recommend you check out too.
Our computer history timeline is a great in a nutshell learning adventure that includes a page that introduces you to the modern computer and the first microprocessor among other computer history landmarks.
As part of our comprehensive desktop computer buying guide, we also have a solid tutorial that provides great purchasing recommendations for selecting the best processor when buying a desktop computer.
And for fun we’ve also answered some common questions regarding the top three components of a CPU from a technical and purchasing standpoint.
