CPU is the abbreviation of Central Processing Unit (CPU), which generally consists of logic operation unit, control unit and storage unit. The logic operation and control unit includes some registers, which are used to temporarily store data during the processing of data by the CPU. The main CPU indicators/parameters you need to pay attention to are:
1. Power frequency
The main frequency, that is, the clock frequency of CPU, is simply the working frequency of CPU. For example, we often say P4 (Bense) 1.8GHz, and this 1.8GHz( 1800MHz) is the main frequency of CPU. Generally speaking, the number of instructions completed in a clock cycle is fixed, so the higher the main frequency, the faster the CPU. Main frequency = external frequency x multiple.
In addition, it should be noted that AMD's Athlon XP series processors all have the nominal value of PR (performance level), such as Athlon XP 1700+ and Athlon XP 1800+. Athlon XP, for example, actually runs at 1.53GHz and is labeled as 1800+. The system self-check screen also shows the system properties of Windows system, WCPUID and other testing software.
2. External frequency
The external frequency is the external clock frequency of the CPU. The main external frequencies of motherboard and CPU are 66MHz, 100MHz and 133MHz. In addition, the more external frequencies that the motherboard can adjust, the higher the better, especially overclocking.
3. Frequency doubling
Frequency doubling refers to the multiple of the difference between CPU external frequency and main frequency. For example, the CPU of Athlon XP 2000+ has an external frequency of 133MHz, so its frequency doubling is 12.5 times.
Step 4 connect
Interface refers to the interface between CPU and motherboard. There are two main types, one is card interface, called slot. The CPU of the card interface is inserted vertically into the motherboard like all kinds of expansion cards we often use, such as graphics cards and sound cards. Of course, there should also be corresponding slots on the motherboard, and the CPU of this interface has been eliminated at present. The other is the mainstream pin interface, called Socket. The CPU of Socket interface has hundreds of pins, which are called Socket370, Socket478, Socket462, Socket423 and so on.
cache
Cache refers to memory that can exchange data at high speed. It exchanges data with CPU before memory, so it is extremely fast, so it is also called cache. There are two kinds of cache related to the processor-L1cache, also called internal cache; And L2 cache, also known as external cache. For example, Pentium 4 "Willamette" core products adopt 423-pin architecture, 400MHz front-end bus, 256KB full-speed second-level cache, 8KB first-level tracking cache and SSE2 instruction set.
Internal cache (L 1 cache)
That is, we often say that the first-level cache. The built-in cache of CPU can improve the running efficiency of CPU. The capacity and structure of the built-in L 1 cache have great influence on the performance of CPU. The larger the L 1 cache is, the fewer times the CPU exchanges data with L2 cache and memory with slow access speed, and the operation speed is faster than that of a computer. However, cache memories are all composed of static RAM, and their structures are very complicated. Under the condition that the CPU die area cannot be too large, the capacity of L 1 level cache cannot be too large, and the capacity unit of L 1 cache is generally KB.
External cache (L2 cache)
The external cache of CPU is relatively expensive, so the external cache of Pentium 4 Willamette is 256K, but the Celeron 4 with the same core is only128 K.
6. Multimedia instruction set
In order to improve the computer's application ability in multimedia and 3D graphics, many processor instruction sets came into being, among which the most famous three are Intel's MMX, SSE/SSE2 and AMD's 3D NOW! Instruction Set Theoretically, these instructions play a comprehensive role in strengthening many popular multimedia applications, such as image processing, floating-point operation, 3D operation, video processing and audio processing.
7. Manufacturing process
Early processors were all made with 0.5 micron technology. With the increase of CPU frequency, the original process can no longer meet the requirements of the product, so there are 0.35 micron and 0.25 micron processes. The finer the manufacturing process, the more electronic components are integrated per unit volume. At present, processor products made of 0. 18 micron and 0. 13 micron are the mainstream in the market. For example, Northwood core P4 adopts 0. 13 micron manufacturing process. In 2003, the CPU manufacturing technology of Intel and AMD will reach 0.09 mm. ..
8. Voltage (Vcore)
The working voltage of CPU refers to the voltage required for the normal operation of CPU, which is related to the manufacturing process and the number of integrated transistors. The lower the normal working voltage, the lower the power consumption and the less heat generation. The development direction of CPU is to continuously reduce the voltage required for normal operation on the basis of ensuring performance. For example, the working voltage of the old Athlon XP is 1.75v, while that of the new Athlon XP is1.65v..
9. Packaging form
The so-called CPU packaging is the last process in the CPU production process. Packaging is a protective measure to cure CPU chips or CPU modules with specific materials to prevent damage. In general, CPU can only be delivered to users after packaging. The packaging mode of CPU depends on the installation form of CPU and the integrated design of devices. Generally speaking, the CPU installed in Socket socket is usually packaged in PGA (Grid Array), while the CPU installed in Slot x slot is all packaged in SEC (Single-sided Plug-in Box). Now there are packaging technologies, such as PLGA (Plastic Grid Array) and Olga (Organic Grid Array). Due to the increasingly fierce market competition, the current development direction of CPU packaging technology is mainly to save costs.
10. Integer units and floating-point units
Alu-arithmetic logic unit, which is what we call "integer" unit. Mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, and logical operations such as "OR, AND, ASL and ROL" are all performed in the logical operation unit. In most software programs, these operations account for most of the program code.
FPU (floating point unit) is mainly responsible for floating point operation and high precision integer operation. Some fpu also have the function of vector operation, while others have special vector processing units.
Integer processing ability is the most important embodiment of CPU operation speed, but floating-point operation ability is an important index related to CPU multimedia and 3D graphics processing, so for modern CPU, the strength of floating-point unit operation ability can better reflect CPU performance.
CPU core:
Die, also called kernel, is the most important part of CPU. The chip protruding from the center of CPU is the core, which is made of monocrystalline silicon through a certain manufacturing process. All calculations, receiving/storing commands and processing data of CPU are executed by the kernel. All kinds of CPU cores have a fixed logical structure, and logical units such as first-level cache, second-level cache, execution unit, instruction-level unit and bus interface will have a scientific layout.
In order to manage the design, production and sales of CPU, CPU manufacturers will give corresponding codes to various CPU cores, which is the so-called CPU core type.
Different CPU (different series or the same series) will have different core types (such as Northwood of Pentium 4, Willamette, CXT of K6-2, ST-50 of K6-2+ and so on). ), even the same core will have different versions (for example, Northwood core is divided into B0 and C 1, etc. ). The core version is changed to correct some errors in the previous version. Each core type has its corresponding manufacturing process (such as 0.25um, 0. 18um, 0. 13um, 0.09um, etc.). ), core area (which is the key factor to determine the CPU cost, and the cost is basically proportional to the core area), core voltage, current, number of transistors, cache size at all levels, main frequency range, pipeline architecture and supported instruction sets (these two are the key factors to determine the actual performance and work efficiency of CPU), power consumption and calorific value, and packaging methods (such as S.E.P, PGA, FC-PGA, FC-PGA). ), and interface types (such as Socket3772) Socket A, Socket 478, Socket T, Slot 1, Socket 940, etc. ), FSB, etc. So the core type determines the performance of CPU to some extent.
Generally speaking, the new core type often has better performance than the old core type (for example, the performance of Pentium 4 1.8GHz of Northwood core with the same frequency is higher than that of Pentium 4 1.8 GHz of Willamette core), but this is not absolute. This usually happens when a new core type has just been introduced, which may lead to a new core type due to imperfect technology or immature new architecture and manufacturing technology. For example, the actual performance of Pentium 4 with Willamette Socket 423 interface in the early days is not as good as Pentium III and Celeron with Tualatin Socket 370 interface, and the actual performance of Pentium 4 with low frequency Prescott kernel is not as good as that with high frequency. However, with the progress of technology and the continuous improvement and perfection of the new core by CPU manufacturers, the performance of the new core product will inevitably surpass that of the old core product.
The development direction of CPU core is lower voltage, lower power consumption, more advanced manufacturing technology, integration of more transistors, smaller core area (which will reduce the production cost of CPU and ultimately lower the sales price of CPU), more advanced pipeline architecture and more instruction sets, higher front-end bus frequency, and integration of more functions (such as integrated memory controller, etc.). ) and dual-core multi-core (that is, there are two or more CPUs in 1) The most significant thing for ordinary consumers is that they can buy more powerful CPUs at lower prices.
In the long history of CPU, there are many kinds of CPU cores. Let's briefly introduce the mainstream core types of Intel CPU and AMD CPU respectively. Introduction of mainstream core types (desktop CPU only, excluding notebook CPU and server/workstation CPU, excluding older core types).
Tualatin
This is the well-known "tualatin" core, which is the last CPU core of Intel on the Socket 370 architecture. Using 0. 13um manufacturing process and adopting FC-PGA2 and PPGA packaging methods, the core voltage is also reduced to about 1.5V, the main frequency is from 1GHz to 1.4GHz, and the external frequencies are 100MHz (Celeron) and respectively. Secondary cache 5 12KB (Pentium III-S) This is the strongest Socket 370 core, and its performance even exceeds that of the early low-frequency Pentium 4 series CPU.
Willamette
This is the kernel used in the early Pentium 4 and P4 Celeron. Socket 423 interface was adopted at first, and then it was changed to Socket 478 interface (Celeron only has 1.7GHz and 1.8GHz, both of which are Socket 478 interfaces), and the manufacturing process was 0. 18um, and the front-end bus frequency was 400MHz. The main frequency ranges from 1.3GHz to 2.0GHz(Socket 423) and 1.6GHz to 2.0GHz(Socket 478), and the secondary cache is 256KB (Pentium 4) and 128KB (Celeron) respectively. Note that there are also some Pentium 4 models with Socket 423 interface without secondary cache! The core voltage is about 1.75V, and the packaging methods are PPGA INT2, PPGA INT3, OOI 423 pin, 423 socket PPGA FC-PGA2, 478 socket PPGA FC-PGA2, PPGA adopted by Celeron, etc. Willamette core is backward in manufacturing technology, high in calorific value and low in performance, and has been eliminated and replaced by Northwood core.
Northwood
This is the core adopted by the current mainstream Pentium 4 and Celeron. Compared with Willamette core, the biggest improvement is to adopt 0. 13um manufacturing process and Socket 478 interface. The core voltage is about 1.5V, and the secondary cache is 128KB (Celeron) and 5 12KB (Pentium 4) respectively. The front-end bus frequency is 400/533/800MHz (Celeron is only 400MHz), and the main frequency ranges from 2.0GHz to 2.8GHz (Celeron) and 1.6GHz to 2.6GHz(400MHz FSB Pentium 4). 2.26GHz to 3.06GHz(533MHz FSB Pentium 4) and 2.4GHz to 3.4GHz(800MHz FSB Pentium 4), as well as 3.06GHz Pentium 4 and all 800MHz Pentium 4 support hyper-threading technology, and the packaging methods are PPGA FC-PGA2 and PPGA. According to Intel's plan, Northwood core will be replaced by Prescott core soon.
Prescott (man's first and last name)
This is Intel's latest CPU core. At present, only Pentium 4 is used, without low-end Celeron. The biggest difference between Pentium 4 and Northwood is that it adopts 0.09um manufacturing technology and more assembly line structures. Socket 478 interface was adopted at first, and all of them will switch to LGA 775 interface in the future. The core voltage is 1.25- 1.525 V, the front-end bus frequency is 533MHz (not supporting hyper-threading technology) and 800MHz (supporting hyper-threading technology), and the main frequencies are 2.4GHz and 2.8GHz of 533MHz FSB and 2.8GHz, 3.0GHz, 3.2GHz and 3.4GHz of 800MHz FSB respectively. Compared with Northwood, its L 1 PPGA cache is increased from 8KB to 16KB. According to Intel's plan, Prescott Core will soon replace Northwood Core, and Celeron and Prescott Core 533MHz FSB will be launched soon.
The core types of Athlon XP
Athlon XP has four different core types, but they all have * * * similarities: they all use Socket A interface and are marked with PR nominal value.
Palomino
This is the core of the earliest Athlon XP, which adopts 0. 18um manufacturing process, the core voltage is about 1.75V, the secondary cache is 256KB, the packaging method is OPGA, and the front-end bus frequency is 266MHz.
purebred
This is the first Athlon XP core with 0. 13um manufacturing process, which is divided into thoroughbred -A and thoroughbred -B versions. The core voltage is about 1.65V- 1.75V, the secondary cache is 256KB, the packaging method is OPGA, and the front-end bus frequency is 266MHz and 333MHz.
Salton
The manufacturing process is 0. 13um, the core voltage is about 1.65V, the secondary cache is 256KB, the packaging method is OPGA, and the front-end bus frequency is 333MHz. It can be seen that Barton blocked half of the secondary cache.
farmyard
The manufacturing process is 0. 13um, the core voltage is about 1.65V, the secondary buffer is 5 12KB, the packaging method is OPGA, and the front-end bus frequency is 333MHz and 400MHz.
The core type of new duron
Apple breeding
Using 0. 13um manufacturing process, the core voltage is about 1.5V, the secondary cache is 64KB, the packaging method is OPGA, and the front-end bus frequency is 266MHz. There are three kinds of labels, 1.4GHz, 1.6GHz, 1.8GHz, and the nominal value of PR is not marked.
Core types of Athlon 64 series CPU
Grabbing
The manufacturing process is 0. 13um, the core voltage is about 1.5V, the secondary cache is 1MB, the packaging method is mPGA, Hyper Transport bus is adopted, and 1 memory controller with 128bit is built in. Socket 754, Socket 940 and Socket 939 interfaces are adopted.
Newcastle
The main difference between it and Clawhammer is that the secondary cache is reduced to 5 12KB (which is also the result of AMD's relatively low price policy and accelerated promotion of 64-bit CPU for market demand), and other performances are basically the same.
Cpu interface:
Slots, sockets and sockets are all used to install CPU on the motherboard. 198 1 year, when IBM's PC came out of the oven, CPU 8086 was directly welded to the motherboard, and then 286 and 386 were also welded to the motherboard, which was very difficult to disassemble. For ordinary users, once they buy a computer, there is basically no room for upgrading. After 486, processor manufacturers began to install CPU using sockets or slots. At present, there are many kinds of CPU on the market, and there are many sockets and slots used. This article will introduce you to various sockets and slots of CPU.
Socket1:the oldest CPU socket developed by Intel, used for 486 chips. There are 169 pins, and the voltage is 5V. At most, it can only support the frequency doubling of DX4.
Socket 2:Intel made a little improvement on the basis of Socket 1 to get Socket 2. Socket 2 has 238 pins, and the voltage is still 5V. Although it is still a 486 socket, it can support Pentium with a little modification.
Socket 3:Socket 3 is developed from Socket 2. It has 237 pins and the voltage is 5V, but it can be set to 3.3V through the jumper on the motherboard. It supports all CPUs in slots 2 and 5x86. This is the last 486 socket.
Socket CPU Socket 4: The Pentium era began with Socket 4. It is 273 feet and works at 5V. It is because of its high working voltage that it was replaced by Socket 5, because it is not very popular. Socket 4 can only support Pentium of 60-60-66MHz.
Socket 5: Socket 5 has 320 pins, works at 3.3V, and supports Pentium 75 MHz- 133 MHz. Socket 5 socket was very popular in the early days of Pentium.
Socket 6: You may think this is a Pentium socket from the name, but in fact, socket 6 is a 486 socket. It has 235 pins and the working voltage is 3.3V, which is a little higher than the socket 3. However, with the popularity of Pentium, 486 soon ceased to be the mainstream of the market, and Socket 6 was soon forgotten.
Socket 7:Socket 7 is by far the most popular and widely used CPU socket. It has 32 1 pin and the working voltage range is 2.5-3.3V It supports all Pentium processors from 75MHz, including Pentium MMX, K5, K6, K6-2, K6-3, 6x86, M2 and M3. Socket 7 released by Intel has actually become the industrial standard at that time, which can support the sixth generation CPU of IDT, AMD and Cyrix. However, Intel is developing its own sixth-generation CPU-Pentium II, but decided to abandon Socket 7 and create a new situation.
Socket 8: Socket 8 is a special socket for Pentium Pro. It is 387 feet, and its working voltage is 3. 1/3.3V ... and it is specially designed for the motherboard with dual processors. However, as the mainstream of the market shifted from Pentium MMX to Pentium II, Socket 8 was soon forgotten.
Socket 370 :Socket 370 is an interface provided by Intel for Celeron A CPU. Since then, Intel has been constantly changing its strategy. In the new millennium, with the introduction of new P Ⅲ and Celeron Ⅱ of Intel Coppermine series CPU (both designed with Socket 370 structure), the motherboard with Socket 370 interface changed its low-end image and gradually became the mainstream of CPU interface structure motherboard.
Socket423: The early Pentium 4 series processors were encapsulated in Socket 423.
Socket478: Pentium 4 processor based on Northwood core must be packaged in Socket 478 and processed by 0. 13 micron process.
The appearance of slot 1: slot 1 completely changed the consistent shape of Intel CPU socket. Intel's original CPU is square, the pin is at the bottom of the chip, and the CPU is inserted into the socket of the motherboard during installation. Pentium II is no longer square. The processor chip is soldered on a circuit board, and then the circuit board is inserted into the slot of the motherboard, which is the 1 slot. With this design, the communication speed between the processor core and L2 cache is faster. Slot 1 has 242 pins and the working voltage is 2.8-3.3V Slot 1 is mainly used for P2, P3 and Celeron, and there is also an adapter card for Socket 8, which can be used to install Pentium Pro.
Slot 2: Slot 2 is an improvement of slot 1, which is mainly used for Xeon series processors. Slot 2 has 330 legs. The biggest difference between it and slot 1 is that the CPU and L2 cache of slot 1 can only communicate at half the CPU working frequency, while slot 2 allows the CPU and L2 cache to communicate at the CPU working frequency.
Socket 370: As can be seen from the name, socket 370 has 370 pins. After Intel found a cheap way to assemble the processor core and L2 cache, its CPU slot returned to the slot. The socket 370 is based on the socket 7, except that a row of pins are added to the four sides of the socket. Firstly, Celeron encapsulated by PPGA is used in Socket 370, followed by Pentium III and Celeron II encapsulated by FC-PGA. There is also an adapter card from the socket 370 to the slot 1. At present, the mainstream CPU of Intel is Socket 370.
Slot A: Because Intel applied for a very comprehensive patent Slot 1, AMD could not copy Intel's socket as before, so AMD independently developed Slot A, which is a CPU socket with independent intellectual property rights of AMD, and is mainly used for Athlon series processors. Its design is similar to slot 1, but the protocol is different. It uses the EV6 bus protocol. Using EV6 bus protocol, the working frequency between CPU and memory can reach 200MHz. At present, with the increasing popularity of Athlon processors, there are more and more motherboards with slot A. ..
Socket A: When Intel switched back from Slot to Socket, AMD followed closely, and switched back from Slot A to Socket A..0. 18 micron. Both Athlon and Poison Dragon use Socket A sockets, which also support 200MHz and 266MHz EV6 buses. Different from Socket 370, Socket 370 CPU can directly use the radiator of Socket 7, while the radiator of Socket A needs to be slightly modified. In addition, AMD does not provide an adapter card from slot A to slot A. Socket A has 462 pins and is not compatible with socket 370. At present, AMD's mainstream CPU is Socket A type.
Slots: the so-called Slot is the combination of slot and slots, which can be seen from its spelling. Essentially, it is an adapter card from slot 1 to socket 370, which switches between different levels and interfaces. Some slots can insert two CPUs, and some slots can remove the SSlocketet frequency of CPU, which makes overclocking easier.
The above introduces all kinds of existing CPU sockets and slots. I hope users will pay attention to buying the CPU that their motherboard can support when upgrading.
References:
Hardware engineering course