Eli5 What is a “4NM/6NM etc process” and why is it better? Also GPU vs CPU?

Question

I see so much of this stuff going on in ads for computers but I just don’t understand why one is better than another and why.

In: 4

Answer 1

GPU is Graphics Processing Unit. Also known as a “video card”. CPU is Central Processing Unit and is the main “brain” of the entire computer. You’d never compare those two components against each other. They work with each other and compliment each other.

NM is nanometer. A 4NM process makes the chipset thinner than a 6NM process. On paper, a thinner/smaller chip will require less power and be able to be packed in to a smaller device. Thinner does not necessarily mean better. But getting things smaller is almost always good in the computing world.