Difference Between CPU And Microprocessor

A CPU carries out all the arithmetic and computing functions of a computer, while a microprocessor houses the CPU, BIOS and memory access circuits.

Central Processing Units (CPUs) and microprocessors are common to people who often work with computing components; however for the rest of the public they often cause confusion. The terms microprocessor and CPU are often used to refer to the central processing unit, which is considered as the brain of the computer.

A central processing unit (CPU) is the hardware within a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. It is also called a central processor unit, or more commonly a processor. However, many mistakenly use the term CPU to refer to the housing unit that stores all of the computer’s hardware, whereas, in actuality it is just the small processor chip that runs the computer’s programs.

In large computers, the CPUs require one or more printed circuit boards. However, in personal computers and small workstations, the ones which most of us use, the CPU is housed in a single silicon chip called a microprocessor. The fundamental function of a CPU is to run or execute a program. A program is essentially a sequence of stored instructions, which is represented by a series of numbers that are kept in some kind of computer memory. CPUs follow a four step process in their operation: fetch, decode, execute, and writeback.