Simple definition
A central processing unit executes program instructions and coordinates computation using processor cores and caches.
Purpose and use
The CPU, Central Processing Unit, executes instructions and coordinates part of a system’s processing.
How does it work?
Its cores, caches and memory interfaces work with the operating system and other components.
Example and verification
For slow performance, inspect per-core load, waiting and memory before attributing the entire problem to the processor.
Points to watch
A lightly used CPU may be waiting for storage or networking. High utilization does not always identify the bottleneck.
In short
Relate processor observations to workload and dependent resources.