What is a CPU? That's not an existential question, but your device would be lost without it. Here's what it does and why picking the right one is so important.

In this four-part series, we'll be focusing on computer hardware design, covering the ins and outs of what makes a computer function. The series will cover computer architecture, processor circuit ...

Under normal circumstances, the CPU in your desktop PC generates modest amounts of heat; a smart fan on top of the CPU runs just fast enough to keep it cool. At this speed, you barely hear the fan ...

But the computer processor, or a CPU, is one of the most important inventions of the modern era, ... The main function of a computer processor is to crunch numbers and produce an output.

If you manage to determine that your PC is, in fact, bottlenecked by its CPU, you will most likely need to upgrade the processor. Combining an underpowered CPU with a comparatively overpowered GPU ...

You may notice a CPU OPT connector on your motherboard. Although its function appears clear at first glance, its exact function remains a mystery for many users.

Undervolting your processor (CPU) can bring huge benefits but it has to be done correctly for your PC to function well. Check out our guide to CPU undervolting.

The CPU is the core component that defines a computing device, and while it is of critical importance, the CPU can only function alongside other hardware.