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add text "electronic switches called" (#32402) 

Adding the text provides a basic definition of what a transistor is, and does, to those unacquainted with electronic circuitry.
pull/32413/head^2
Lucas Thompson 2019-03-26 13:12:34 -04:00 committed by Christopher McCormack
parent 80913a66d6
commit 5ebc182180
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guide/english/computer-hardware/cpu/index.md
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@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ An instruction cycle for a CPU is called the [fetch-decode-execute cycle](https:
Perhaps the most common issue affecting the CPU is inadequate cooling. CPUs, along with Graphics Processing Units (GPU), are the main generators of heat in computer systems. Due to their nature, they are typically sold along with a dedicated cooling fan. There are various ways of reducing heat in a computer, with the two main systems being air fans or liquid cooling systems. Proper heat maintenance and additional hardware can allow a properly configured CPU to perform better than rated by the chip manufacturer (aka "Overclocking"). Note that chips must be unlocked in order to have the ability to be overclocked.
## Function
A microprocessor is a silicon chip containing millions of microscopic transistors. This chip functions as the computer's brain. It processes the instructions or operations contained within executable computer programs. Instead of taking instructions directly off of the hard drive, the processor takes its instructions from memory. This greatly increases the computer's speed.
A microprocessor is a silicon chip containing millions of microscopic electronic switches called transistors. This chip functions as the computer's brain. It processes the instructions or operations contained within executable computer programs. Instead of taking instructions directly off of the hard drive, the processor takes its instructions from memory. This greatly increases the computer's speed.
## Manufacturers of Computer Microprocessors
There are two primary manufacturers of computer microprocessors. Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) lead the market in terms of speed and quality. Intel's desktop CPUs include Celeron, Pentium and Core. AMD's desktop processors include Sempron, Athlon and Phenom. Intel makes Celeron M, Pentium M and Core mobile processors for notebooks. AMD makes mobile versions of its Sempron and Athlon, as well as the Turion mobile processor which comes in Ultra and Dual-Core versions. Both companies make both single-core and multi-core processors.