Where to learn about a CPU's inner workings

[MnMWizard]

This might not be the right category but it seemed like the closest. I want to get into the job field of processors and computers. Are there any good free resources to teach me ALL the technical aspects (or at least get me started) of a CPU or any other piece of computer hardware? Thanks

 

[smorizio]

there few intel cpu core for dummy books that start with the 286 core tech.
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/silicon-innovations/silicon-technologies-general.html
may want to email intel and amd they may help you in listing you with ref books and guilds.

 

[canadianvice]

MIT OpenCourseware. Specifically, you'll want to look at classes on architecture and discrete logic. Both of these are intimately used in processors.

 

[Pinhedd]

This might not be the right category but it seemed like the closest. I want to get into the job field of processors and computers. Are there any good free resources to teach me ALL the technical aspects (or at least get me started) of a CPU or any other piece of computer hardware? Thanks

Hi,

Computer engineer here. This is what I do.

It's probably easiest to get started with some books on computer hardware and peripherals. There are hundreds upon hundreds of quality books available that cover these topics. They range in detail from introductory to moderately technical.

Computer architecture is a whole different beast. There is an immense body of academic knowledge involved. Whereas a computer hardware book will start by describing a CPU as "the brain of the computer" without going much deeper than that, a computer architecture book will spend several hundred pages on handling data hazards in particular pipeline configurations. Without knowing more about your level of knowledge and what you'd like to know it's hard to point you in the right direction.

Please provide some particulars to help guide you in the right direction. If you have any specific questions that you'd like answered, feel free to post them here and I'll get around to answering them in the afternoon.

 

[MnMWizard]

I was looking into CPU design, like a microchip architect. I know quite a bit about graphics cards and CPUs on the gaming level (their performance and how to install them, things like that), and a bit about how CPU's store and process data from ram, etc. I want to be able to understand the physical layout of a cpu, what everything inside does and how; basically an extremely detailed diagram and explanation of a CPU.

 

[canadianvice]

I was looking into CPU design, like a microchip architect. I know quite a bit about graphics cards and CPUs on the gaming level (their performance and how to install them, things like that), and a bit about how CPU's store and process data from ram, etc. I want to be able to understand the physical layout of a cpu, what everything inside does and how; basically an extremely detailed diagram and explanation of a CPU.

Then you want what I mentioned. Architecture and Design.
OpenCourseware has such a class, and discrete mathematics will go far into understanding many of the hacks they've put together to make CPU's work as they do.

You may also wish to try fooling around with SPIM Mips Simulator and the MIPS instruction set language. Those open eyes too.