Assembling a computer is, all in all, simple once you acquire the basic knowledge, and there are even simulators like PC Building Simulator that help you practice (up to a point).
However, building the components, and especially a processor, is a completely different challenge. It requires a deep understanding of its logic, something not always within reach, but thanks to the game Nand Game we can absorb all the essentials about processor construction in minutes.
Understanding Processors
More cores, more processing threads, more cache, higher frequency, lower latency and consumption... I think we have a fairly solid idea of what we want from our chips. I admit the latest AMD and Intel models are truly impressive, although we can’t deny there are still some aspects to improve. These processors deliver all their performance, but knowing how they work demands technical information that the general public usually doesn’t ask for.
In fact, most people don’t exactly know how a processor works. Several years ago we saw very interesting projects that explain that, starting with a paper processor that anyone can print at home, but today we have something better: a game.
All you need to do to participate and learn to build a processor is visit the portal Nand Game.
The NAND Gate: The Foundation
The first element at your disposal is a NAND gate, with two inputs and one output. That output is always “high” (1), unless its two inputs are “high” (a=1 b=1), which turns the output “low” (0).
The next level adds the so-called inverter or NOT gate, which implements logical negation (in very relaxed terms, it inverts its input). The main section continues with the OR gate (logical disjunction), and ends with the XOR gate (exclusive disjunction).
As you advance through each phase, your virtual processor becomes increasingly complex, while at the same time you learn more about its internal mechanism. If you don’t know exactly how to build one of these gates, don’t worry.
The Wikipedia articles dedicated to each of them have small connection diagrams. Some might think that’s cheating, but we’re not taking an exam. Now, if you think Nand Game is not enough for you, you can always explore more advanced options, among which the LogicEmu logical simulator stands out.
