webpointmorpheus Computer Info
CPU & RAM

     Overview      CPU Packages      CPU Architecture
     RAM Map      RAM Architecture      RAM Loading      Notes

©2005 - material compiled by Bob Carnaghi, www.webpointmorpheus.com

Overview     Top of Page

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be considered the 'main brain' of the computer. Ultimately, the CPU has a hand in all the functionality and processing that takes place in a computer. In the course of development and sophistication of the computing process, there have been methods devised to facilitate the load placed on the CPU. These methods include math co-processors, read and write caching, frequency multipliers, better processor technology, etc. Some peripheral devices even include their own processors: SCSI, video cards, etc. However, it's still up to the CPU to integrate all the processes of the computer and perform the requested services.

CPU Packages     Top of Page

CPU packages are typically defined by their connection configuration. Through the history of CPUs, the methods for changing and attaching the units have evolved remarkably. Today, the typical CPU can be easily and painlessly removed and replaced in a matter of minutes. The following tables list a brief description of CPU Characteristics. For a lengthy consideration of CPU Characteristics click here. Listed below are the prevalent CPU package types.

CPU Architecture     Top of Page

The development and evolution of the computer has had at its heart the development and evolution of the CPU. Here is a brief list of some of the most popular CPU advancements:

• Clock doubling (or Clock Multiplying): the capability to push the internal processing of the CPU to a multiple of the system clock, or the data bus.
• L1, L2, L3 Cache: The capability of the CPU to write processed data to a cache for later transfer as necessary. This frees up the CPU for other processes as needed, as well as freeing the data bus from cluttered, processed data.
• Dual & Quad Pipelining: The capability of pushing data through the processor in systems of process management that are parallel to each other, instead of a serial type process.
• Dynamic Processing: is the capability of the processor to foresee data processes and process them out of order while waiting for other processes to complete. The data is then rearranged back into the order in which it must be returned.
• Faster Processing Speeds: and lower processor voltages have made the processors smaller, more efficient, cheaper, more stable, and more dependable.

Here is a brief list of the CPUs, and the enhancements that each brought:

RAM Map     Top of Page

RAM (Random Access Memory) is the 'work table' of all PC processes. When a program is opened, or a process is loaded, it is loaded into RAM, and the processor proceeds to work on it from there. In terms of RAM, the more the merrier. Listed below is a map of the basic RAM that is inherent in all systems. This area of RAM is where all device drivers are loaded when the computer boots. This area of RAM is the basis for all the system RAM that is added to make the computer scale into more capable processes.

RAM Architecture     Top of Page

Listed here are the typical types of system RAM that can be commonly found today.

RAM Loading     Top of Page

The following table lists several device load statements for configuring memory allocations.

General Memory Notes     Top of Page

The list below is a collection of various notes regarding memory.

• HIMEM.SYS is a device driver that loads programs into extended memory.
• EMM386.EXE is a program that provides the system process access to the Upper Memory Area.
• SMARTDRV.EXE is a program that allows caching in extended memory.
• RAMDRIVE.SYS is a driver that simulates the organization or a hard disk drive in RAM.