## The Bra

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## The Brain of Your Computer: The CPU 🧠 The **CPU**, or *Central Processing Unit*, is the primary chip that executes instructions. Think of it as the computer’s brain. It performs calculations and manages data flow. A CPU’s speed is measured in **gigahertz (GHz)**. A 3.5 GHz processor, for example, can handle 3.5 billion cycles per second. Modern CPUs contain multiple **cores**. A *core* is an independent processing unit within the chip. A **quad-core** processor has four cores, allowing it to work on four tasks simultaneously. This is like having four workers instead of one. > The CPU fetches, decodes, and executes program instructions billions of times per second. You can identify your CPU in Windows by pressing `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` to open Task Manager. Click the "Performance" tab. The CPU name, like "Intel Core i7-12700H," and its current speed are displayed here. ## Short-Term Memory: Understanding RAM 💡 **RAM**, or *Random Access Memory*, is your computer’s short-term, high-speed workspace. It temporarily holds data for active programs and the operating system. When you open an application, it loads from storage into RAM for quick access. RAM is **volatile**. This m...