Difference between revisions of "Glossary:Central Processing Unit (CPU)"
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The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is one of the primary devices that enables a computer to do work. It performs the instructions of a computer program. CPU's today are rated by the number of cores per die they feature, as well as the speed of each core. Today CPU's can contain anywhere from 1 to 8 cores on the die (or higher for server CPU's). | The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is one of the primary devices that enables a computer to do work. It performs the instructions of a computer program. CPU's today are rated by the number of cores per die they feature, as well as the speed of each core. Today CPU's can contain anywhere from 1 to 8 cores on the die (or higher for server CPU's). | ||
| + | =Technologies= | ||
==Multi Core== | ==Multi Core== | ||
CPU's featuring more then 1 core per die are said to be multi-core. Almost all CPU's that are made today are multi-core, meaning they feature 2 or more cores per CPU die. Many laptops today feature CPU's with 2 cores. Desktop computers can feature 4 or more cores. | CPU's featuring more then 1 core per die are said to be multi-core. Almost all CPU's that are made today are multi-core, meaning they feature 2 or more cores per CPU die. Many laptops today feature CPU's with 2 cores. Desktop computers can feature 4 or more cores. | ||
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Intel's initial offerings in the consumer GPU space were under the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (Intel GMA) brand, and served only to provide basic video functionality to PCs. Very near the end-of-life for the GMA brand, Intel's chipset integrated chips began to compete with older, very basic GPUs from Nvidia and AMD; they are able to play old games at reduced settings. Recently Intel began moving away from chipset integrated graphics, and with the Core i3/5/7 line of chips began offering GPUs built into the CPU die. The current best offering is their HD3000 graphics core, found in some Sandy Bridge chips; it is capable of competing with basic cards in the current generation. | Intel's initial offerings in the consumer GPU space were under the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (Intel GMA) brand, and served only to provide basic video functionality to PCs. Very near the end-of-life for the GMA brand, Intel's chipset integrated chips began to compete with older, very basic GPUs from Nvidia and AMD; they are able to play old games at reduced settings. Recently Intel began moving away from chipset integrated graphics, and with the Core i3/5/7 line of chips began offering GPUs built into the CPU die. The current best offering is their HD3000 graphics core, found in some Sandy Bridge chips; it is capable of competing with basic cards in the current generation. | ||
| − | = | + | =General Advice= |
| − | == | + | ==Troubleshooting== |
If you suspect that your CPU is causing problems, first make sure that nothing else is the problem. Then, if you are still certain, monitor the CPU temperatures with [http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/ CoreTemp]. If temperatures regularly go over 70°C, then you may have a heat problem. Make sure that the heatsink is fully fastened, and if it is, make sure that you applied a proper amount of thermal paste (Note: checking the thermal paste will require you to clean off and then reapply more thermal paste, so only check this as a last resort. | If you suspect that your CPU is causing problems, first make sure that nothing else is the problem. Then, if you are still certain, monitor the CPU temperatures with [http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/ CoreTemp]. If temperatures regularly go over 70°C, then you may have a heat problem. Make sure that the heatsink is fully fastened, and if it is, make sure that you applied a proper amount of thermal paste (Note: checking the thermal paste will require you to clean off and then reapply more thermal paste, so only check this as a last resort. | ||
Another problem that may arise with the CPU is improper seating. If you are experiencing random freezes and bluescreens, you may have bent pins on the CPU. To check this, you must separate the CPU from the CPU socket (check your CPU's documentation on how to do this) and visually look for bent pins. | Another problem that may arise with the CPU is improper seating. If you are experiencing random freezes and bluescreens, you may have bent pins on the CPU. To check this, you must separate the CPU from the CPU socket (check your CPU's documentation on how to do this) and visually look for bent pins. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Choosing a CPU== | ||
| + | ===''Megahertz myth''=== | ||
| + | A common misconception, especially to novice buyers, is that the higher the clock speed on a CPU is (the clock speed is easy to find and looks something like ''2666 MHz'' or ''3.2 GHz''), the faster the CPU is going to be. This used to be the case many years ago and is still the case when comparing processors from the same architecture. For example, an Intel i3 2120 is clocked at 3.3 GHz and is faster than an Intel i3 2100 which is only clocked at 3.1 GHz, a 200 MHz decrease. This is valid because the clock speed is the only difference between these two processors. On the contrary, however, an Intel i3 2120 at 3.3 GHz will be vastly slower than an Intel i5 2400, which is actually clocked 200 MHz lower at 3.1 GHz, because of various other factors like the amount of cache memory on the chip, the amount of transistors, the number of cores and several other factors. | ||
| + | |||
| + | A good way of telling if a CPU is faster than another is to look at benchmarks. Benchmarks are tests where processors are put to work and are compared in their real world performance afterwards. A simple Google search can give plenty of results for almost any CPU. Remember to do your research before spending money on a processor. | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
Revision as of 20:57, 7 March 2012
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is one of the primary devices that enables a computer to do work. It performs the instructions of a computer program. CPU's today are rated by the number of cores per die they feature, as well as the speed of each core. Today CPU's can contain anywhere from 1 to 8 cores on the die (or higher for server CPU's).
Technologies
Multi Core
CPU's featuring more then 1 core per die are said to be multi-core. Almost all CPU's that are made today are multi-core, meaning they feature 2 or more cores per CPU die. Many laptops today feature CPU's with 2 cores. Desktop computers can feature 4 or more cores.
Speeds
CPU speeds can range anywhere from ~1.0Ghz to over 3.4Ghz stock. Speeds for a CPU are measured in terms of Ghz (Gigahertz) and Mhz (Megahertz), and measure the speed of the clk signal going through the CPU. CPU clock speed should not be used to judge weather or not one CPU is faster, nor should core count.
Turbo
Turbo is the name for the technology used by Intel and AMD to run a CPU at a higher frequency when it is stressed. For example, an Intel Core i7 2600k runs at 3.4Ghz stock, but can turbo up to 3.8Ghz
Overclocking
Overclocking is causing a CPU to run at speeds beyond what the manufacturer recommends. Overclocking can damage the CPU if performed improperly. Oftentimes, the stock cooler is inadequate for CPU overclocking.
Graphics
Some CPU's can feature onboard graphics capabilities. These graphics capabilities may be adequate for web surfing, but are often not adequate for high end gaming. Intel's first CPU line that featured these capabilities was their Nehalem architecture.
Intel
Intel's initial offerings in the consumer GPU space were under the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (Intel GMA) brand, and served only to provide basic video functionality to PCs. Very near the end-of-life for the GMA brand, Intel's chipset integrated chips began to compete with older, very basic GPUs from Nvidia and AMD; they are able to play old games at reduced settings. Recently Intel began moving away from chipset integrated graphics, and with the Core i3/5/7 line of chips began offering GPUs built into the CPU die. The current best offering is their HD3000 graphics core, found in some Sandy Bridge chips; it is capable of competing with basic cards in the current generation.
General Advice
Troubleshooting
If you suspect that your CPU is causing problems, first make sure that nothing else is the problem. Then, if you are still certain, monitor the CPU temperatures with CoreTemp. If temperatures regularly go over 70°C, then you may have a heat problem. Make sure that the heatsink is fully fastened, and if it is, make sure that you applied a proper amount of thermal paste (Note: checking the thermal paste will require you to clean off and then reapply more thermal paste, so only check this as a last resort.
Another problem that may arise with the CPU is improper seating. If you are experiencing random freezes and bluescreens, you may have bent pins on the CPU. To check this, you must separate the CPU from the CPU socket (check your CPU's documentation on how to do this) and visually look for bent pins.
Choosing a CPU
Megahertz myth
A common misconception, especially to novice buyers, is that the higher the clock speed on a CPU is (the clock speed is easy to find and looks something like 2666 MHz or 3.2 GHz), the faster the CPU is going to be. This used to be the case many years ago and is still the case when comparing processors from the same architecture. For example, an Intel i3 2120 is clocked at 3.3 GHz and is faster than an Intel i3 2100 which is only clocked at 3.1 GHz, a 200 MHz decrease. This is valid because the clock speed is the only difference between these two processors. On the contrary, however, an Intel i3 2120 at 3.3 GHz will be vastly slower than an Intel i5 2400, which is actually clocked 200 MHz lower at 3.1 GHz, because of various other factors like the amount of cache memory on the chip, the amount of transistors, the number of cores and several other factors.
A good way of telling if a CPU is faster than another is to look at benchmarks. Benchmarks are tests where processors are put to work and are compared in their real world performance afterwards. A simple Google search can give plenty of results for almost any CPU. Remember to do your research before spending money on a processor.
Notes