Types of Processors

Single-core Processors: These processors only have one core within the CPU to perform tasks. Advancements in technology have allowed multiple cores to be implemented into one system.
Dual-core Processors: These processors contain two cores in the same CPU, allowing for multiple tasks to be performed at the same time - known as parallel processing. This type of processor can improve the performance of the system without increasing the clock speed.
Quad-core Processors: Containing four cores, these processors can perform four different tasks at the same time. Quad-core processors provide significant improvements in multitasking environments and for software designed to take advantage of such hardware.
Multi-core Processors: More advanced computing systems may contain six, eight, or more cores within a single CPU. These are particularly beneficial for heavy graphical work, such as video editing or gaming, and for running multiple virtual machines.
Clock Speed: This refers to the speed at which a CPU can perform instructions and is measured in cycles per second or ‘hertz’. Faster clock speeds mean the CPU can perform more instructions per second, however, it can also lead to more heat generation.
CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer): These are CPUs that use single instructions to execute multiple low-level operations such as memory storage and arithmetic operations.
RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer): This CPU architecture uses simpler instructions for routine functions, allowing for higher performance due to the optimisation of each instruction.
Parallel Systems: These systems involve the simultaneous use of more than one CPU or processor core to execute programme instructions. Parallel systems can be classified into bit-level, instruction-level, data, and task parallelism.
Pipelining: This is a design method to increase the performance of CPUs by allowing the next instructions to start before the previous instruction has completed.
Co-processors: This is a type of processor that works alongside the main CPU, taking over specific tasks to free up the CPU, like mathematical calculations or graphics rendering.
ARM Processors: These are a type of processors based on a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) architecture and are commonly used in mobile devices due to their power efficiency.

Remember that understanding the role and structure of processors is key to understanding the overall operation of a computer system, so ensure to familiarise yourself with these concepts thoroughly.