Evolution

of

Microprocessors

MicroprocessorMicroprocessorA microprocessor incorporates most of all the A microprocessor incorporates most of all the

functions of a computer’s central processing unit on a functions of a computer’s central processing unit on a single integrated circuit (microchip). The first single integrated circuit (microchip). The first microprocessors were used for electronic calculators microprocessors were used for electronic calculators using binary-coded decimal arithmetic on 4-bit words. using binary-coded decimal arithmetic on 4-bit words. Other embedded uses of 4-bit and 8-bit Other embedded uses of 4-bit and 8-bit microprocessors , such as terminals, printers, various microprocessors , such as terminals, printers, various kinds of automation followed rather quickly.kinds of automation followed rather quickly.

Computer processors were for a long period Computer processors were for a long period constructed out of small and medium-scale ICs constructed out of small and medium-scale ICs containing the equivalent of a few to a few hundred of containing the equivalent of a few to a few hundred of transistors. The integration of the whole CPU onto a transistors. The integration of the whole CPU onto a single chip therefore greatly reduced the cost of single chip therefore greatly reduced the cost of processing capacityprocessing capacity..

Microprocessor measured in megahertz and gigahertz•MHz = megahertz•GHz = gigahertz hertz = cycle per second

Higher MHz/GHz doesn’t always mean better performance, this is because the speed of the computer influenced with these factors:

•Efficiency of the processor•The bus architecture•Amount of memory available•Software running on the computer

March 2003 Intel Pentium M Processor hits March 2003 Intel Pentium M Processor hits 900 MHz to 900 MHz to 2.26 GHz2.26 GHz

The Pentium M brand refers to a family of mobile single-core x86 microprocessors (with the modified Intel P6 microarchitecture) introduced in March 2003 (during the heyday of the Pentium 4 desktop CPUs), and forming a part of the Intel Carmel notebook platform under the then new Centrino brand. The Pentium Miprocessors had a maximum thermal design power (TDP) of 5–27 W depending on the model, and were intended for use in laptops (thus the "M" suffix standing for mobile).

February 2004: Intel Pentium 4 Processor hits 3.4 GHz February 2004: Intel Pentium 4 Processor hits 3.4 GHz mark.mark.

One of the key features of Intel’s Pentium 4 One of the key features of Intel’s Pentium 4 processor was Hyper-Pipelined Technology - processor was Hyper-Pipelined Technology - 20-stage pipeline, that was two times longer 20-stage pipeline, that was two times longer than in previous generation of Pentium than in previous generation of Pentium processors. While longer pipelines are less processors. While longer pipelines are less efficient than shorter ones, they allow the efficient than shorter ones, they allow the CPU to reach higher frequencies, and thus CPU to reach higher frequencies, and thus increase CPU performance. increase CPU performance.

Unlike the Pentium III, the architecture of the Unlike the Pentium III, the architecture of the Pentium 4 is the product of a serious Pentium 4 is the product of a serious redesign. Whereas the move from Pentium II redesign. Whereas the move from Pentium II to Pentium III added two million transistors, to Pentium III added two million transistors, the Pentium 4 sports a whopping 55 million - the Pentium 4 sports a whopping 55 million - 27 million more than the currently available 27 million more than the currently available Pentium III Coppermine processors. Pentium III Coppermine processors.

April 2005: Intel's first dual-core processor-based platformApril 2005: Intel's first dual-core processor-based platform

Pentium Extreme Edition CPU family Pentium Extreme Edition CPU family is a family of dual-core is a family of dual-core microprocessors offering top microprocessors offering top performance for computer performance for computer enthusiasts. enthusiasts.

Dual- and multicore processors are Dual- and multicore processors are designed by including two or more designed by including two or more full execution cores within a single full execution cores within a single processor enabling simultaneous processor enabling simultaneous management of activities.management of activities.

The Intel Pentium Processor The Intel Pentium Processor Extreme Edition 840 can process Extreme Edition 840 can process four software threads simultaneously four software threads simultaneously by more efficiently using resources by more efficiently using resources that otherwise may sit idle.that otherwise may sit idle.

May 2005: Intel Pentium D processorMay 2005: Intel Pentium D processor

Unlike Pentium Extreme Edition, Unlike Pentium Extreme Edition, Pentium D does not include Pentium D does not include Hyper-Threading. Its two Hyper-Threading. Its two execution cores provide two execution cores provide two completely parallel processing completely parallel processing streams.streams.

Intel Pentium D processor has Intel Pentium D processor has two processing cores – or two processing cores – or “brains” with support for such “brains” with support for such consumer electronics-like consumer electronics-like features as surround-sound features as surround-sound audio, high-definition video and audio, high-definition video and enhanced graphics capabilities.enhanced graphics capabilities.

The Pentium D CPUs have The Pentium D CPUs have higher power consumptions than higher power consumptions than Pentium 4 processors, but not Pentium 4 processors, but not significantly higher.significantly higher.

Intel Core i7 is an Intel brand name for several families of desktop and laptop 64-bit x86-64 processors using the Nehalem, Westmere, Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge microarchitectures. The Core i7 brand is targeted at the business and high-end consumer markets for both desktop and laptop computers, and is distinguished from the Core i3 (entry-level consumer), Core i5 (mainstream consumer), and Xeon(server and workstation) brands.

The first Core i5 using the Nehalem microarchitecture was introduced on September 8, 2009, as a mainstream variant of the earlier Core i7

The Core i3 was intended to be the new low end of the performance processor line from Intel, following the retirement of the Core 2 brand.The first Core i3 processors were launched on January 7, 2010.