How do i/o-bound and cpu-bound programs differ? in i/o-bound programs, the cpu remains idle much of the time. in cpu-bound programs, the i/o processor remains idle. in i/o-bound programs, the cpu does not remain idle much of the time, in cpu-bound programs, the i/o processor remains idle. in i/o-bound programs, the cpu remains idle much of the time. in cpu-bound programs, the i/o processor does not remain idle. in i/o-bound programs, the cpu does not remain idle much of the time. in cpu-bound programs, the i/o processor does not remain idle.