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CPU color time for program P1. CPU time (or process time) is the amount of time that a central processing unit (CPU) was used for processing instructions of a computer program or operating system. CPU time is measured in clock ticks or seconds. Sometimes it is useful to convert CPU time into a percentage of the CPU capacity, giving the CPU usage.
Clock rate. Microprocessor clock speed measures the number of pulses per second generated by an oscillator that sets the tempo for the processor. It is measured in hertz (pulses per second). In computing, the clock rate or clock speed typically refers to the frequency at which the clock generator of a processor can generate pulses, which are ...
Instructions per second (IPS) is a measure of a computer 's processor speed. For complex instruction set computers (CISCs), different instructions take different amounts of time, so the value measured depends on the instruction mix; even for comparing processors in the same family the IPS measurement can be problematic.
Cryptographic (e.g. RDRAND, AES-NI) Discontinued (e.g. 3DNow!, MPX, XOP) v. t. e. The x86 instruction set refers to the set of instructions that x86 -compatible microprocessors support. The instructions are usually part of an executable program, often stored as a computer file and executed on the processor.
A Linux boot log showing the usage of TSC as system clocksource. The Time Stamp Counter (TSC) is a 64-bit register present on all x86 processors since the Pentium. It counts the number of CPU cycles since its reset. The instruction RDTSC returns the TSC in EDX:EAX. In x86-64 mode, RDTSC also clears the upper 32 bits of RAX and RDX.
The clock rate of a CPU is limited by the time it takes to execute the slowest sub-operation of any instruction; decreasing that cycle-time often accelerates the execution of other instructions. [45] The focus on "reduced instructions" led to the resulting machine being called a "reduced instruction set computer" (RISC).
Control unit. The control unit (CU) is a component of a computer's central processing unit (CPU) that directs the operation of the processor. A CU typically uses a binary decoder to convert coded instructions into timing and control signals that direct the operation of the other units (memory, arithmetic logic unit and input and output devices ...
The term "real time" in this context refers to elapsed wall-clock time, like using a stop watch. The total CPU time (user time + sys time) may be more or less than that value. Because a program may spend some time waiting and not executing at all (whether in user mode or system mode) the real time may be greater than the total CPU time.