What is a CPU? The CPU, Central Processing Unit, or simply processor, is the main chip in a computer responsible for carrying out all tasks. It’s responsible for telling all the other components in a computer what to do, according to the instructions it is given by the programs (software) running on that computer. In fact, CPUs exist in many kinds of device apart from computers. If something can run programs, chances are it will have a CPU. For example, phones and TVs have CPUs inside them. In modern computers, and especially in smartphones, the CPU may sit on the same physical chip as other components. Most modern computer CPUs share a chip with a computer’s graphics electronics (that decides what appears on your monitor). An example of this is the Intel Core i7-7700K. In smartphones and tablets the chip containing the CPU may also handle phone calls, Wi-Fi, GPS and many other things. Such multi-purpose chips are known as SoCs (system-on-a-chip). An example of this would be the Qua