- Mar 12, 2002
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CPU FAQ #1 [Beginners]
Acronyms and other definitions
------------------------------
BIOS = Basic Input/Output System (this is the operational
configuration for your motherboard)
CPU = Central Processing Unit
ECC = Error Correction Code, or Error Checking and Correction
FCPGA = Flip Chip Pin Grid Array (interface for some Pentium CPU's)
FPU = Floating Point Unit
FSB = Front Side Bus (also referred to as the system bus)
GHz = GigaHertz (billion cycles per second)
MHz = MegaHertz (million cycles per second)
MMX = MultiMedia eXtensions
PPGA = Plastic Pin Grid Array
SECC = Single Edge Contact Cartridge
SECC1 = Slot interface for some Pentium2 CPU's (233Mhz=450)
SECC2 = Slot interface for some Pentium2&3 CPU's (currently up to 1Ghz)
aka = "Also Known As"
Now, this is the beginners' FAQ, so many of you savvies may find this ridiculously easy. But for the ones to whom this may be of assistance,
enjoy!
Q: What do the MHz and GHz actually mean?
A: These numbers literally mean how many cycles, or complete calculations, can be made in one second. The higher the number, the faster the chip...BUT these numbers are most significant when comparing the same types of processors. For example, a 1.6GHz Duron, even though the speed matches, is not as powerful as a 1.6GHz Athlon chip. A Pentium 4 1.6GHz is not as powerful as the same speed Athlon. But a 1.6GHz Athlon would be half as powerful as a 3.2GHz Athlon CPU of the same core architecture. So you can use these numbers as a guide, but only when comparing them to similar chips. These numbers aren't as helpful as they used to be, and they will only become less helpful in the future as CPU architecture makes some radical changes.
Q: Why do the Athlon processors use numbers different from their actual clock speed for their titles?
A: Here's where a little further explanation of the last question comes in. Athlons, due to their different architecture, can out perform a Pentium 4 chip of the same speed. This brought about some problems, since the average consumer knew little more than "the higher the Hertz, the better". So, to bring this difference to our attention, they have used numbers such as 1800+ for a 1533MHz (or 1.53GHz) chip to show that when tested, the chip could compete with an 1800Mhz Pentium 4. To check out one of the many benchmark tests done here on THG, pitting Intel vs. AMD, check out <A HREF="http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/02q2/020610/thoroughbred-14.html" target="_new">http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/02q2/020610/thoroughbred-14.html</A>
Q: What are these "second" names on these processors, such as Thoroughbred, Coppermine and all the others?
A: This is where architecture comes into play. Consider "Athlon" the last name of the processor, and "Thoroughbred" would be its first name. Athlon is the family of chips, and Thoroughbred would be a spawn of that family. As the chip changes slightly, the first name will change. The last name will only change when the company feels that the architecture has changed enough so that the chip is no longer anywhere close to its predecessor. When this happens, new chipsets are often required and completely new motherboards are needed to support the processor. The Pentium families are similar, but rather than completely changing their last name they have been merely adding numbers. The Pentium 3 is of a different family of CPU's from the Pentium 4. Changes in architecture that result in a new first name for the chip are often the fsb and die size. Changes in the internal design of the chip itself will result in a new family.
Q: I want to upgrade my processor; how do I pick out a proper CPU?
A: There are three important things to consider when upgrading a CPU: interface, frontside bus speed, and clock speed. You must be sure to match these numbers with your motherboard's compatibility list. If you have a Socket A, aka Socket 462, interface on your motherboard, then you must get a matching processor. If your motherboard supports 100/200 & 133/266 fsb, then you can get any current Socket A Athlon processor. If your motherboard only supports 100/200 fsb, then you must be sure your processor does not exceed these numbers for its frontside bus. With the clock speed, your best bet is to be sure your motherboard will handle that high of a speed. Many motherboards will be compatible with clock speeds higher than originally listed in their documentation, since the chip just wasn't out yet to list. But this isn't always true, so the first place to check is your motherboard's manual. If it does not list the clock speed you're looking for, then contact the manufacturer's website and try to locate any information on the motherboard, and it being compatible with the higher clock processors. If you're still unable to locate an answer, try calling the motherboard mfg, or a retailer/vendor and asking them if the board will take the chip you want, or if they will at least guarantee you can return the CPU risk free if it is not compatible with your motherboard. Often, a BIOS flash is released that will allow a board to use chips it was previously incompatible with.
Q: What is "µ"?
A: µ Stands for micro, meaning it is a number multiplied by 10 to the negative sixth power [10^ -6]. 1 µ is equal to .000001. This number is most often affiliated with the processor's die size. The smaller, the better, when we're talking about the chip's physical size. For further explanation, research electronics fundamentals.
Q: Why is a smaller processor better?
A: Well, the smaller they get the manufacturing down to, the more they can squeeze into a smaller space. Also, when dealing with such high-speed electronics, a smaller size allows for shorter distance in the circuits. The shorter the distance, the quicker the electrons can complete their trip.
Q: What is cache and do I need to be concerned with it?
A: Yes, cache is an important feature of processors. You want more, and faster both. Cache is a very small amount of memory (usually between 128K and 512K) that is used by your CPU to store very important information so that it doesn't need to store and fetch this information from your slower system RAM. It's like your desktop at work. You have plenty of room to file all around your office (hopefully), but the items you are currently working on (or will be working on shortly) are kept on the desktop in front of you because it's closer and faster to access. I think that means I have a couple gigs of cache on my desk at work, because I usually can't see much of the wood finish.
Q: What is the difference between slot and socket processors?
A: This is the interface of the processor. A slot processor, or SECC, will plug into your motherboard in a similar fashion to RAM and PCI cards. These processors can look a lot like a cartridge to a gaming console. It will be a single edge card that will slide into a single slot, and often have retention mechanisms to hold it tight. A socket processor, or PGA (pin grid array), is the more popular these days; it consists of a lot of pins underneath, with the chip and bridges showing on top. And then there are different types of slot and socket processors. Socket A is an Athlon or Duron chip with a 462-PGA, Slot A is an Athlon or Duron chip with a SECC interface. Slot 1 is a Pentium 2 and Pentium 3 interface, FC-PGA is a Pentium3 and Celeron socket interface with a 370-PGA. Some Intel processors have a Slot2 interface, and there are some with a FCBGA (flip chip ball grid array, much like PGA, but short rounded ball like interface versus long skinny pins). Socket 478 is the Pentium4 PGA interface. These interfaces are not interchangeable. Though there are some adapters that will convert a FC-PGA to a Slot1.
Here is a good article on CPU's from the one and only THG:
<A HREF="http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/00q2/000412/" target="_new">http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/00q2/000412/</A>
I'm not really human, I just play one on TV
Acronyms and other definitions
------------------------------
BIOS = Basic Input/Output System (this is the operational
configuration for your motherboard)
CPU = Central Processing Unit
ECC = Error Correction Code, or Error Checking and Correction
FCPGA = Flip Chip Pin Grid Array (interface for some Pentium CPU's)
FPU = Floating Point Unit
FSB = Front Side Bus (also referred to as the system bus)
GHz = GigaHertz (billion cycles per second)
MHz = MegaHertz (million cycles per second)
MMX = MultiMedia eXtensions
PPGA = Plastic Pin Grid Array
SECC = Single Edge Contact Cartridge
SECC1 = Slot interface for some Pentium2 CPU's (233Mhz=450)
SECC2 = Slot interface for some Pentium2&3 CPU's (currently up to 1Ghz)
aka = "Also Known As"
Now, this is the beginners' FAQ, so many of you savvies may find this ridiculously easy. But for the ones to whom this may be of assistance,
enjoy!
Q: What do the MHz and GHz actually mean?
A: These numbers literally mean how many cycles, or complete calculations, can be made in one second. The higher the number, the faster the chip...BUT these numbers are most significant when comparing the same types of processors. For example, a 1.6GHz Duron, even though the speed matches, is not as powerful as a 1.6GHz Athlon chip. A Pentium 4 1.6GHz is not as powerful as the same speed Athlon. But a 1.6GHz Athlon would be half as powerful as a 3.2GHz Athlon CPU of the same core architecture. So you can use these numbers as a guide, but only when comparing them to similar chips. These numbers aren't as helpful as they used to be, and they will only become less helpful in the future as CPU architecture makes some radical changes.
Q: Why do the Athlon processors use numbers different from their actual clock speed for their titles?
A: Here's where a little further explanation of the last question comes in. Athlons, due to their different architecture, can out perform a Pentium 4 chip of the same speed. This brought about some problems, since the average consumer knew little more than "the higher the Hertz, the better". So, to bring this difference to our attention, they have used numbers such as 1800+ for a 1533MHz (or 1.53GHz) chip to show that when tested, the chip could compete with an 1800Mhz Pentium 4. To check out one of the many benchmark tests done here on THG, pitting Intel vs. AMD, check out <A HREF="http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/02q2/020610/thoroughbred-14.html" target="_new">http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/02q2/020610/thoroughbred-14.html</A>
Q: What are these "second" names on these processors, such as Thoroughbred, Coppermine and all the others?
A: This is where architecture comes into play. Consider "Athlon" the last name of the processor, and "Thoroughbred" would be its first name. Athlon is the family of chips, and Thoroughbred would be a spawn of that family. As the chip changes slightly, the first name will change. The last name will only change when the company feels that the architecture has changed enough so that the chip is no longer anywhere close to its predecessor. When this happens, new chipsets are often required and completely new motherboards are needed to support the processor. The Pentium families are similar, but rather than completely changing their last name they have been merely adding numbers. The Pentium 3 is of a different family of CPU's from the Pentium 4. Changes in architecture that result in a new first name for the chip are often the fsb and die size. Changes in the internal design of the chip itself will result in a new family.
Q: I want to upgrade my processor; how do I pick out a proper CPU?
A: There are three important things to consider when upgrading a CPU: interface, frontside bus speed, and clock speed. You must be sure to match these numbers with your motherboard's compatibility list. If you have a Socket A, aka Socket 462, interface on your motherboard, then you must get a matching processor. If your motherboard supports 100/200 & 133/266 fsb, then you can get any current Socket A Athlon processor. If your motherboard only supports 100/200 fsb, then you must be sure your processor does not exceed these numbers for its frontside bus. With the clock speed, your best bet is to be sure your motherboard will handle that high of a speed. Many motherboards will be compatible with clock speeds higher than originally listed in their documentation, since the chip just wasn't out yet to list. But this isn't always true, so the first place to check is your motherboard's manual. If it does not list the clock speed you're looking for, then contact the manufacturer's website and try to locate any information on the motherboard, and it being compatible with the higher clock processors. If you're still unable to locate an answer, try calling the motherboard mfg, or a retailer/vendor and asking them if the board will take the chip you want, or if they will at least guarantee you can return the CPU risk free if it is not compatible with your motherboard. Often, a BIOS flash is released that will allow a board to use chips it was previously incompatible with.
Q: What is "µ"?
A: µ Stands for micro, meaning it is a number multiplied by 10 to the negative sixth power [10^ -6]. 1 µ is equal to .000001. This number is most often affiliated with the processor's die size. The smaller, the better, when we're talking about the chip's physical size. For further explanation, research electronics fundamentals.
Q: Why is a smaller processor better?
A: Well, the smaller they get the manufacturing down to, the more they can squeeze into a smaller space. Also, when dealing with such high-speed electronics, a smaller size allows for shorter distance in the circuits. The shorter the distance, the quicker the electrons can complete their trip.
Q: What is cache and do I need to be concerned with it?
A: Yes, cache is an important feature of processors. You want more, and faster both. Cache is a very small amount of memory (usually between 128K and 512K) that is used by your CPU to store very important information so that it doesn't need to store and fetch this information from your slower system RAM. It's like your desktop at work. You have plenty of room to file all around your office (hopefully), but the items you are currently working on (or will be working on shortly) are kept on the desktop in front of you because it's closer and faster to access. I think that means I have a couple gigs of cache on my desk at work, because I usually can't see much of the wood finish.
Q: What is the difference between slot and socket processors?
A: This is the interface of the processor. A slot processor, or SECC, will plug into your motherboard in a similar fashion to RAM and PCI cards. These processors can look a lot like a cartridge to a gaming console. It will be a single edge card that will slide into a single slot, and often have retention mechanisms to hold it tight. A socket processor, or PGA (pin grid array), is the more popular these days; it consists of a lot of pins underneath, with the chip and bridges showing on top. And then there are different types of slot and socket processors. Socket A is an Athlon or Duron chip with a 462-PGA, Slot A is an Athlon or Duron chip with a SECC interface. Slot 1 is a Pentium 2 and Pentium 3 interface, FC-PGA is a Pentium3 and Celeron socket interface with a 370-PGA. Some Intel processors have a Slot2 interface, and there are some with a FCBGA (flip chip ball grid array, much like PGA, but short rounded ball like interface versus long skinny pins). Socket 478 is the Pentium4 PGA interface. These interfaces are not interchangeable. Though there are some adapters that will convert a FC-PGA to a Slot1.
Here is a good article on CPU's from the one and only THG:
<A HREF="http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/00q2/000412/" target="_new">http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/00q2/000412/</A>
I'm not really human, I just play one on TV
Intel and AMD sitting under a tree, P-R-O-C-E-S-S-I-N-G! 
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