processor

A processor is the chip that does the thinking in a computer. A fast processor, the processor overheated, a four-core processor.

It is usually called the CPU, for central processing unit. Cores are separate processing units on one chip, and clock speed in gigahertz is how many cycles a second it runs. A graphics processor handles images and turned out to be what artificial intelligence needed. Note food processor, which is a kitchen machine; and processor as anything that processes — a payment processor, a claims processor.