A CPU-bound computer uses only the CPU for processing, resulting in fast processing for programs with calculations. Other systems include I/O, memory, and cache-bound systems. Upgrading only the CPU can improve performance, but it can also create an imbalance and be expensive.
The central processing unit (CPU) is an integral part of any computer, because it executes and controls most of the processes in a computer. While the CPU is in control of most processes, things like memory or the cache also help to help processes terminate. A CPU bound computer is one in which, instead of using the other components, the processes are bound exclusively to the CPU. A CPU-bound system configuration has advantages and disadvantages. It has very fast processing if the CPU is powerful, but it also creates an imbalance because the other components are not used.
When a system is CPU bound, it means that only the CPU is working on all processes. During this time, the CPU may be using 90% to 100% of its energy, rather than the 10% to 20% it uses at other times. If your CPU is fast, this will speed up processing and make your computer faster overall. This usually happens with programs that require calculations, such as calculators and spreadsheets. Programs with graphics and any other kind of processing will not do well with a CPU system.
Unlike other systems, where the computer relies on other components to aid in processing, only the CPU is used if it is CPU bound. When someone wants to speed up a computer, they usually add more random access memory (RAM) or other components. For CPU-bound computers, only the CPU should be upgraded, because these other memory components don’t matter.
There are three other types of constrained systems: input/output (I/O) constrained, memory constrained, and cache constrained. I/O bound means that the system is bound to I/O information; it is best used in a program where lines are to be counted. A memory bound system is best at processing large amounts of data and is constrained by memory components such as RAM. A cache-bound system, which is a subset of memory, works like a memory-bound system, only it processes data that has already been encountered.
The advantages of having a CPU bound system are as numerous as the disadvantages. Of all the associated systems, the CPU is the fastest and tends to be used the most. If mainly programs with calculations are used, the CPU system will work best. Instead of having to upgrade other components, the user will only have to focus on upgrading the CPU to improve performance.
On the downside, having a CPU system can make your computer unbalanced, because it doesn’t take advantage of the other processing components. CPUs tend to be expensive, so upgrades can get expensive. While the CPU is fast, it will only be able to work on a few processes at a time. This means that, if the user has multiple programs open, only one or two will run fast, while the others will hardly move.
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