CPUs Flashcards
Clock Speed
Max # of cycles a CPU can handle in a given period
System Crystal
Determines speed at which CPU can operate
CPU and RAM
CPU uses RAM as a “spreadsheet” to store and retrieve code
Memory Controller Chip (MCC)
Retrieves data from RAM to put on EDB for CPU to read
Address Bus
CPU communicates to MCC through this
CPU Development Processes
Developer - Industry Standard Architecture (ISA)
Developer - Chip Floorplan, Physical Stuff
Fabrication Company - Creates
3 Major CPU Companies
Intel (x86-64 architecture)
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) - Fabless
Arm Ltd - ARM (Advanced RISC Machine) CPUs, license to other companies
x86-64 architecture
Windows, many Linux distros, some macOS, some Chrome OS
ARM
Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, every mobile device run on ARM. Most used in the world.
Throttling
Saving energy by making CPU run more slowly when there is less demand
Thermal Throttling
Done because of excess heat
Clock Multiplier
Speeds up the computing process to hit the CPU max speed, or lowers it in times of less demand
64-Bit Processing
Supports higher levels of RAM (over 4gb)
x86
Old processors, 32-bit systems
x64
64-bit systems, newer and faster
x86-x64 processors
Can run both types of code, these are the most modern processors
Virtualization Support
Run more than one OS at a time, used to have to work through software but can now work directly thru CPU
Parallel Execution
Able to execute multiple commands at the same time in parallel
Pipelining
Fetch
Decode
Execute
Write
Current CPUS have multiple pipelines
Cache
Static RAM (SRAM) used to reduce wait states (CPU faster than RAM)
Multithreading
Multiple parallel threads running at the same time, basically 2 CPUs but does not double processing power
OS and apps must be made to take advantage
L1, L2, L3
L1
cache will be the smallest and fastest cache; L2 will be bigger and slower
than L1; and L3 will be the biggest and slowest cache.
Multicore Processing
Multiple pipelines but share caches and RAM
Operates independently from OS, but requires optimization
Integrated Memory Controller
Optimizes information flow in and out of CPU
Integrated Graphics Processing Unit
Integrated Graphics, enhances performance while reducing energy use, size and cost
Security
NX bit technology, CPU protects certain sections of memory, protecting essential OS files
Selecting a CPU
Ensure compatibility
-Support AMD or Intel?
-What CPU socket?
CPU Sockets
Intel - LGA 2066, 1200, 1700
AMD - AM4, AM5, TR4
CPU Installation Points
Take care with pins and socket
Is the power supply enough
Adequate cooling
Stock or overclock
LGA
Land Grid Array - CPU socket for Intel
Has pins
PGA
Pin Grid Array - CPU socket for AMD
Has holes
Passive v Active Cooling
Passive: Heat sink alone
Active: Heat sink with fan
CPU Overheating, Why?
- too much thermal paste
- not enough thermal paste
- failure to connect fan power to mb
impediments to fan
lack of ventilation
CPU Catastrophic Failure
Proprietary crash screens (BSOD, mac pinwheel)
Magic smoke
Register
Store internal commands and data
