CPU Performance Indicators in a Nutshell

In the ordinary daily life, everyone more or less touches the CPU, right? The CPU's performance metrics are just clueless? The following is a brief description of CPU performance metrics that I have collected for you.

CPU performance metrics

CPU performance metrics mainly include frequency, word length, cache, core, and production process.

1. CPU Frequency

2. CPU Bit and Word Length

Computers use the 0's and 1's of a binary number as the most basic unit of data for data computation and transmission. One of the individual 0 or 1 is called 1 bit (bit), such as the decimal number 8 converted to binary number is 1000, we call it 4bit, or 4b. Because the unit of the bit is too small, so scientists have introduced a new measure of the size of the data in the computer unit, that is, the byte (Byte), or B, the byte and the bit of the conversion relationship is 1 byte = 8 bits, that is, 1B = 8b.

3, CPU cache

CPU cache (Cache) is a kind of data memory in the CPU, it is mainly used to store the CPU and the memory for data exchange when the data transferred, it is faster than the speed of the memory to store the CPU cache consists of two parts, that is, the level 1 cache (L1Cache) and the level 2 cache (L2Cache). The CPU cache consists of two parts, the Level 1 cache (L1Cache) and Level 2 cache (L2Cache).

4. CPU core and interface

The CPU core is the processing center for CPU computing data. In general, when a CPU manufacturer launches a new CPU product, the main difference between it and the old CPU lies in the construction of the core.

The CPU interface is the part of the CPU that contacts the motherboard slots on the back of the CPU. Since different types of CPUs do not necessarily have the same interface, a CPU with a certain interface type can only be used on a motherboard with the corresponding type of slot.

5. CPU manufacturing process

CPU manufacturing process generally refers to the distance between the main electronic components within the CPU, the unit is usually nm (nanometer), the smaller the distance between the CPU, the smaller the CPU's power consumption and heat generation. Currently, Intel and AMD's mainstream CPU products have reached 65nm.

6, dual-core

Dual-core refers to the integration of two cores in a CPU, so that a single CPU has the computing power of two ordinary CPUs. Currently, all mainstream CPUs utilize dual-core technology.

Expanded:

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CPU terminology

(1) cache: cache memory

A special type of memory subsystem in which frequently-used data is replicated for CPU Fast access. The cache stores the contents of frequently accessed RAM locations and the addresses where these data items are stored. When the processor references an address in memory, the cache checks to see if the address exists. If the address is stored, the data is returned to the processor; if the address is not stored, regular memory accesses are performed. Because cache memory is always faster than the main RAM

memory, when the access speed of RAM is lower than the speed of the microprocessor, cache memory is often used.

(2) clock: the clock

An electronic circuit inside a computer that generates a steady stream of timed pulses, the digital signal used to synchronize each operation. The frequency of the computer's clock is one of the main factors in determining the speed at which the computer operates, so the higher the frequency, the better, within the limits allowed by the other components of the computer, also known as systemclock.

(3) Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC). strong>

It is an implementation of complex instructions in microprocessor design that can be called at the assembly language level. These complex instructions are quite powerful and have the flexibility to compute elements such as memory addresses.

(4) Direct Memory Access (DMA):

A technique that opens a direct data exchange path between a peripheral device and the main memory. when the CPU is operating, all of its cycles are dedicated to executing the CPU's program. When the peripheral device is ready to input or output data, a work cycle is appropriated for the peripheral device and the main memory to exchange data directly. After this cycle, the CPU continues to execute the original program again. In this way, the DMA controller is added to the input/output subsystem to replace the original CPU, and the data transferred in batches is directly interacted with the main memory, and the DMA component counts the data blocks one by one and determines the address of the main memory.

(5) Central Processing Unit (CPU ): the central processing unit

The computer's computing and control unit. The central processing unit, or microprocessor in a microcomputer (single-chip central processing unit), has functions such as fetching and decoding instructions, as well as executing instructions and inputting and outputting information to and from other resources via the computer's main data transmission path (i.e., the bus). By definition, a central processing unit is a chip that functions as the brain of the computer.

(6) access: access, access

The operation of reading from or writing data to memory.

(7) address: address, addressing

A number that indicates where data is 'stored in memory, referencing or accessing a particular location in memory.

(8) application processor: an application processor

A processor designed specifically for a particular application.

(9) benchmark: a benchmark program

A program used to test the performance of hardware or software. Hardware benchmarks use programs to test the performance of a device - for example, the speed at which a CPU executes instructions. Software benchmark programs determine how efficiently, accurately, or quickly a program performs a specific task, such as recalculating data in a spreadsheet. The same data is used to test each program, so from the results it is possible to compare programs that run better and areas where the program runs better.

(10) primary cache

The cache designed inside the microprocessor and placed on the motherboard is called a secondary cache.

(11) Symmetric MultiProcessing (SMP)

An architecture in which multiple computers perform parallel processing, which is a ****-enjoyment architecture. More than two CPUs in a system can ****enjoy all the resources in the system, such as memory, hard disk, operating system, application software, and data. SMP is very flexible and highly fault-tolerant when multiple applications are running together, and it utilizes large caches and other techniques to reduce bus traffic and increase throughput.

(12) Symmetric MultiProcessing server (SMP server)

A type of computer that acts as a server in a client/server application. To improve its performance, it was designed with a symmetric multitasking (SMP) architecture.

(13) 3DNow! technology

Refers to a new instruction set developed by AMD to address bottlenecks in traditional image processing for floating-point computing and multimedia applications, and is the company's first proposed technology for 3D image processing. This technology improves the performance of 3D graphics and realistic graphic effects, and pioneers the synchronization of computers and 3D graphics acceleration cards.

This instruction set*** contains 21 instructions to maximize support for floating-point operations known as Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD). Floating-point capability, which is lacking in traditional processors, is available in the AMD

K6(r)-2 family of processors with 3DNow!

(14) CMOS: Acronym for complementary metal-oxide semiconductor.

It is a semiconductor technology that allows pairs of metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) to be integrated on a single silicon wafer. This technology is commonly used to produce RAM and switching applications,

and the products are very fast and consume very little power.

(15) CPU cycle: the smallest unit of time, usually a few billionths of a second, that a CPU can recognize.

The amount of time it takes the CPU to perform the simplest instruction, such as reading the contents of a register, is also known as a clocktick.

(16) cpu cycle: a unit of time, usually a few billionths of a second, that a CPU can recognize. > (16)coprocessor: a co-processor

A processor that, unlike the main microprocessor, performs additional functions and assists the main microprocessor. The most common type of coprocessor is the floating-point coprocessor, which performs numerical calculations faster and with better performance than the general-purpose microprocessors in personal computers.

(17) floating-point processor:

A coprocessor that performs arithmetic operations on floating-point numbers. A floating-point number is a number expressed as a mantissa and an exponent relative to a base. For example, 2.33 x 1023 is a floating point number. Adding a floating-point processor to a system can dramatically speed up mathematical operations and image processing when using software that recognizes and applies the coprocessor. i486DX, 68040, and higher processors contain a built-in floating-point processor.

CPU overclocking methods

I. Default voltage overclocking

Default voltage overclocking is also the most common overclocking method, and this overclocking method is the safest, most CPU and other hardware basically have no "side effects". "

Default voltage is the most common form of overclocking, and it is the safest way to overclock a CPU with no side effects on other hardware.

1, adjust the external frequency

Adjust the external frequency, in the motherboard BIOS settings, to find the Base Clock option, this is the CPU external frequency. The external frequency is adjusted upward, depending on the specific Core i7, but Core i7 general default voltage can be stabilized to run at about 3.5G, for example, i7 920, the external frequency is adjusted to 166, this time the main frequency is 166x20 = 3.33GHz.

2, turn off the RWD technology

CPU overclocking is likely to be because of the RWD technology and become unstable, it is necessary to turn off this technology, the BIOS is not the only thing that you can do. At this point, you need to turn off this technology, find the Intel Turbo Boost program in the BIOS, and turn it off. Of course, if you're looking for the ultimate in CPU fitness, you can overclock by turning on the Boost technology, but for beginner overclockers, it's better to turn it off.

3. Memory crossover

As the memory frequency and CPU external frequency are set at a certain ratio, after adjusting the CPU external frequency, the memory frequency needs to be adjusted as well, or else the memory will also enter the overclocking state, and it is likely that the overclocking will fail because of the poor memory fitness. Now the mainstream memory is DDR3-1333, you can adjust the memory crossover frequency so that the memory frequency is close to 1333MHz, to ensure the success of the overclocking, of course, the memory can also be overclocked, but the performance improvement is not obvious.

4, the voltage is set to the default

The last step is to find the CPU voltage options, in general, with AUTO is no problem, but most of the motherboard will be automatically pressurized to ensure stability, which will increase the CPU heat and power consumption, so we adjusted to the default, generally set to "+0" or "Normal". " or "NORMAL". This means that if you have a hard drive, you will be able to use it to power up your PC.

Performance improvement after overclocking

After a small overclocking, performance improvement is quite a bit, and at this point the performance of the Core i7 920 is fully comparable to the former flagship Core i7 975, which is two to three times more expensive than the i7 920, mind you, even now.

The second, add voltage overclocking voltage overclocking

In order to ensure that the CPU overclocking after the stability or to get a higher main frequency, the appropriate increase in some voltage is possible. The first three steps of overclocking will not be repeated, and the same as the previous, the key is the fourth step to add voltage. The way to do this is to find the voltage option in the BIOS, set it to AUTO, and many motherboards will automatically add voltage.

Adding voltage to an overclock

However, AUTO is not very smart, and it's likely to add too much or too little voltage, so it's better to add it manually. Generally the default voltage of Core i7 is 1.1XX, I recommend not to exceed 1.35 maximum, and to add voltage at 0.05 each time until it stabilizes, so that the overclocking side effects on the CPU will not be great.

What if the CPU overclock fails?

Of course, everything may not go as planned, and the same goes for overclocking, which doesn't always work, and overclocking failures can happen to you at any time. While failure doesn't necessarily mean you're not good enough or the quality of the product is wrong, we do have to be prepared and respond to it.

Unable to boot after a failed overclock

In fact, most current motherboards are quite capable of avoiding boot failures due to overclocking failures. When the system fails to boot due to an overclocking problem, the motherboard will automatically load the system's default settings to resume normal operation. However, some motherboards require users to press and hold the "Insert" key during reboot to reload the default settings.

Restoring factory defaults

If you still have access to the BIOS setup, you can restore it by selecting the "Load optimized default" option, which in effect restores the factory defaults. If you can't get the system to boot up properly, and you can't even access the BIOS settings, you don't have to panic, you can still clear the COMS and restore it to factory defaults.

Jumper Caps

In one case, next to the motherboard's BIOS or battery,

there is a small jumper cap (shown above, with pins 1 and 2 shorted by default).

Clearing the BIOS

All we need to do is turn off the power completely, pull out the jumper cap, and place it on pins 2 and 3 for a 5 second short. the BIOS, being deprived of power, will lose its settings and return to the default. However, at the end of the day, you have to remember to put the jumper caps back on pins 1 and 2, otherwise you won't be able to boot.

Most i7 motherboards have a Clear COMS button

Of course, most of the mid-range and high-end motherboards with Core i7 have a Clear COMS button, which is a one-push button.

While the Core i7 is already powerful by default, overclocking the Core i7 delivers a performance boost, especially with default voltage overclocking, which doesn't cause any side effects on the Core i7. However, we need to prepare a good CPU cooler before overclocking Core i7, because Core i7 overclocking has a lot of heat dissipation, so as not to cause a crash failure during the overclocking process.