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CPU means the main processor. I would consider any source on the subject wrong if they say otherwise. But CPUs still have main memory and cache, so to say stora

by c3534l 7y ago

CPU means the main processor. I would consider any source on the subject wrong if they say otherwise. But CPUs still have main memory and cache, so to say storage isn't part of the CPU is still wrong.

jolmg 7y ago
The name actually still kind of makes sense to me. I know that CPU is an apt name for the main processor, but to a regular user that has no idea what's inside the box and only has an understanding of the different components they connect together (monitor, keyboard, etc.) CPU is also an apt name for the whole box. After all, it is the "central processing unit" of the whole computer (counting the monitor, etc.). "Case" refers only to the box itself and not all the inside components; "system unit" is too vague; "computer" means the whole thing including the monitor, keyboard, and mouse; "tower" also isn't apt because, at least in the 90s, it was also common to lay it below the monitor. Tell me, if you have the box disassembled with the hard drive and motherboard outside and the monitor and keyboard nearby, what word would you use to describe the whole device that's the case and its inside components? Imagine you want to ask someone to move it to another table, just the case, hard drives, motherboard, etc. but not the monitor and keyboard. How would you fill in "Could you move the ____ to that table?" I think some around me would say CPU. EDIT: Here, check this out, it's a Radio Shack catalogue from 1989: https://archive.org/details/tandy-computer-catalog-1989/page/n21 https://archive.org/details/tandy-computer-catalog-1989/page... At the bottom left corner of page 42 (page as seen in the image), it says they're selling a "universal computer floor stand". In the description it says, "holds CPU in vertical position". To the right of that, they're selling a "CPU security system" that's basically mounting plates and cord to attach the computer to the desk to prevent it from being stolen.

by c3534l 7y ago

jolmg 7y ago

The name actually still kind of makes sense to me. I know that CPU is an apt name for the main processor, but to a regular user that has no idea what's inside the box and only has an understanding of the different components they connect together (monitor, keyboard, etc.) CPU is also an apt name for the whole box. After all, it is the "central processing unit" of the whole computer (counting the monitor, etc.). "Case" refers only to the box itself and not all the inside components; "system unit" is too vague; "computer" means the whole thing including the monitor, keyboard, and mouse; "tower" also isn't apt because, at least in the 90s, it was also common to lay it below the monitor. Tell me, if you have the box disassembled with the hard drive and motherboard outside and the monitor and keyboard nearby, what word would you use to describe the whole device that's the case and its inside components? Imagine you want to ask someone to move it to another table, just the case, hard drives, motherboard, etc. but not the monitor and keyboard. How would you fill in "Could you move the ____ to that table?" I think some around me would say CPU. EDIT: Here, check this out, it's a Radio Shack catalogue from 1989: https://archive.org/details/tandy-computer-catalog-1989/page/n21 https://archive.org/details/tandy-computer-catalog-1989/page... At the bottom left corner of page 42 (page as seen in the image), it says they're selling a "universal computer floor stand". In the description it says, "holds CPU in vertical position". To the right of that, they're selling a "CPU security system" that's basically mounting plates and cord to attach the computer to the desk to prevent it from being stolen.