The microprocessor is a$($n$)$

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circuit, which is designed to process data based on a set of instructions. Desktop computers running Windows contain a microprocessor based on the

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standard. Most tablets and smartphones contain processors based on

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technology. A microprocessor$$s circuitry is designed to perform a limited number of tasks contained in its

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set. During processing, an instruction is loaded into the processor$$s

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unit. Data is loaded into registers in the processor$$s

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where arithmetic and logic operations are performed. Microprocessor performance can be measured by its

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speed. Other factors affecting overall processing performance include word size, cache size, and instruction set complexity. Most digital devices contain only one microprocessor chip, but today$$s multi$-$

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processors contain circuitry that supports parallel processing. Computers contain various kinds of memory. Random

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memory is a special holding area for data, program instructions, and the

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system. It stores data on a temporary basis until the processor makes a data request. RAM is different from disk storage because it is

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$,$ which means that it can hold data only when the computer power is turned on$.$ Computers also contain read$-$

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memory, which is a type of non$-$volatile memory that provides a set of $$hard$-$wired$$ instructions, called the

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loader, that a computer uses to boot up$.$