Module 3 - CPU PDF

MODULE In COMPUTER SYSTEM SERVICING MR. JONATHAN E. PARIENTE Instructor  I. INTRODUCTION This module is designed to develop & enhance the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of a Computer Systems Service Technician, in accordance with industr...

MODULE In COMPUTER SYSTEM SERVICING MR. JONATHAN E. PARIENTE Instructor  I. INTRODUCTION This module is designed to develop & enhance the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of a Computer Systems Service Technician, in accordance with industry standards. It covers the basic and common competencies in addition to the core competencies such as to install and configure computers systems, set-up computer networks and servers and to maintain and repair computer systems and networks. II. TABLE OF CONTENT Lesson 4 - CPU III. PRE-TEST Write your answers on the space provided. 1. What is a cpu? IV. OBJECTIVES At the end of this module, students are expected to: 1. Analyze the different CPU specification 2. Explain the importance of choosing right CPU specification V. LECTURE NOTES AND LESSON CONTENT 12 Important Specifications of Processor (CPU) Explained Most computer CPUs are manufactured by either Intel or AMD. The mainstream Intel Core family of processors includes the i3, i5, i7, and i9 chips, while AMD Ryzen includes the 3, 5, 7, and 9. Performance ranges from budget level with the Intel i3 and AMD Ryzen 3 processors to high-performance workstation level with the i9 and 9 chips. Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (FAPSA) Caloocan Association of Private Schools (CAPRIS) National Capital Region School Registrars Association (NACSRA) Philippine Association for Teacher Education (PAFTE) Inter-School Athletic and Academic League (ISAAL) Asian Association of School Human Resource Management and Development Practitioners, Inc. (AASHPI) North Private School Association of Caloocan (NPSAC) Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC)  When choosing a CPU, it’s important to take note of individual specs and to also make sure that the other components in your build are compatible. ▪ Base Clock Speed ▪ Max Turbo Speed ▪ Overclocking ▪ Core Count ▪ Multi Threading ▪ L Cache ▪ Memory Support and Channels ▪ TDP Rating ▪ Fabrication process, Micro-architecture and generation ▪ Socket Type ▪ Chipset ▪ Integrated Graphics 1. Clock Speed A processor’s clock speed refers to the number of cycles that are performed every second. For example, a 3.1GHz processor can perform 3.1 billion in one second. The higher the clock speed, the more tasks the processor can complete, and the faster your computer will generally run. It’s important to note that it’s not always best to compare processor clock speeds of different generations or manufacturers. For example, an older quad-core processor like the 7th gen Intel Core i5-7500 3.4GHz will be outperformed by the 10th gen 6-core Intel Core i5-10500 3.1GHz. 2. Max Turbo Frequency Both AMD and Intel allow select CPUs to operate above their typical frequencies for a temporary performance boost when needed. AMD and Intel call this technology - Turbo Core and Turbo Boost respectively. Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (FAPSA) Caloocan Association of Private Schools (CAPRIS) National Capital Region School Registrars Association (NACSRA) Philippine Association for Teacher Education (PAFTE) Inter-School Athletic and Academic League (ISAAL) Asian Association of School Human Resource Management and Development Practitioners, Inc. (AASHPI) North Private School Association of Caloocan (NPSAC) Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC)  For a CPU to ‘turbo-boost’, its clock speed increases. It must be supplied with enough power and be operating within its typical temperature range. For example, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 has a base clock of 3.6GHz but has a Max Boost Clock of up to 4.2GHz. Again, this boost is only temporary and the CPU will revert to its typical state to prevent any overheating and damage to the CPU. 3. Overclocking Overclocking is the act of increasing the base clock speed that your processor runs at. To do this, you’ll need to ensure that both your CPU and motherboard support overclocking. All AMD Ryzen processors support overclocking, while Intel usually reserves that feature for their higher-end processors. Intel Core processor models that end with a ‘K’ or ‘X’ can usually be overclocked, e.g., the Intel Core i5-10600K. If you plan on overclocking your CPU, you’ll need to have a sufficient cooling solution as an overclocked chip will use more power and therefore generate more heat. 4. Core Count Most, if not all, processors today feature multiple ‘cores’. A core is essentially a microprocessor within the CPU. Without considering hyper-threading or multi-threading, a processor can technically work on only one ‘task’ at a time. Now, because modern processors are so fast, we as users don't notice the processor dividing its time between different processes as we multitask on our computers. The more cores a processor has, the faster it can handle multiple processes, which is important for multitasking or for heavy workloads that can take advantage of multiple cores. For basic users, an efficient dual-core processor will be sufficient, but for enthusiasts or power users, a quad-core or higher is recommended. Please note, that for gamers, a higher clock speed may be more important than having extra cores, e.g., quad-core vs 6-core. Many current games are not designed to take advantage of more than a couple of cores, but this is slowly changing. Below is a list of processor families by core count: Intel: ▪ 2 Core - Intel i3, Intel Pentium, Intel Celeron ▪ 4 Core - Intel i3, i5, i7 Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (FAPSA) Caloocan Association of Private Schools (CAPRIS) National Capital Region School Registrars Association (NACSRA) Philippine Association for Teacher Education (PAFTE) Inter-School Athletic and Academic League (ISAAL) Asian Association of School Human Resource Management and Development Practitioners, Inc. (AASHPI) North Private School Association of Caloocan (NPSAC) Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC)  ▪ 6 Core - Intel i5, i7 ▪ 8 Core - Intel i7, i9 ▪ 10 Core - Intel i9 ▪ 24 Core - Intel Xeon W ▪28 Core - Intel Xeon W AMD: ▪ 2 Core - AMD Athlon, Ryzen 3 ▪ 4 Core - AMD Athlon, AMD Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5, Ryzen 7 ▪ 6 Core - AMD Ryzen 5 ▪ 8 Core - AMD Ryzen 7, AMD Threadripper ▪ 12 Core - AMD Ryzen 9, AMD Threadripper ▪ 16 Core - AMD Threadripper ▪ 24 Core - AMD Threadripper ▪ 32 Core - AMD Threadripper ▪ 64 Core - AMD Threadripper 5. Threads and Multi-Threading While the core count represents the number of physical cores in a CPU, the number of threads represents the number of virtual cores a processor can simulate. So for example, an Intel i5-10400 processor has 6 physical cores and 12 threads. Intel CPUs use ‘hyper-threading’ and AMD CPUs use ‘simultaneous multi-threading’ or SMT to achieve this, with both technologies essentially being the same. As mentioned earlier, more cores and threads equal better efficiency and multitasking as the processor is better able to divide its processing power among different tasks. 6. L Caches Most CPUs have 3 “L” caches to store data needed to perform tasks. These are named L1, L2, and L3, with the capacity increasing with each level. If the data the processor needs can’t be found in the L1 cache, it ‘seeks’ this data from the L2 cache and so on. Because these caches are built into the processor itself, they are the fastest places a processor can access data, starting with the L1 cache. Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (FAPSA) Caloocan Association of Private Schools (CAPRIS) National Capital Region School Registrars Association (NACSRA) Philippine Association for Teacher Education (PAFTE) Inter-School Athletic and Academic League (ISAAL) Asian Association of School Human Resource Management and Development Practitioners, Inc. (AASHPI) North Private School Association of Caloocan (NPSAC) Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC)  While each core has its own L1 cache, the L2 cache can be exclusive or shared, with the L3 cache shared by each of the cores. As cache capacity increases, it takes longer for a processor to search for needed data, which is why L caches are relatively much smaller in capacity than RAM. A typical L1 cache can be up to 256 KB, while an L2 cache can typically range anywhere from 256KB to 8MB of capacity. When choosing a processor, it’s typically unnecessary to worry about L cache sizes as manufacturers will have them optimized for each processor. 7. Memory Support DDR4, which stands for ‘Double Data Rate’ is the latest variant of random access memory, which all modern CPUs support. The RAM of your computer stores the data that your CPU needs to run your applications. There are a couple of memory specifications to consider when choosing a CPU: Memory Speed The memory speed, measured in MHz, determines the speed that data transfer occurs with higher numbers being faster. RAM, that is rated at 3000 MHz, means that it performs 3000 million cycles per second, or 3 billion cycles a second. The current AMD Ryzen generation of processors support DDR4 memory at up to 3200 MHz speeds. Intel’s 10th gen i3 and i5 processors support memory at up to 2666 MHz, while their i7 and i9 processors support memory at up to 2933 MHz. DDR4 Memory Speeds: ▪ 2400 MHz ▪ 2666 MHz ▪ 2933 MHz ▪ 3000 MHz ▪ 3200 MHz ▪ 3600 MHz ▪ 4000 MHz ▪ 4400 MHz Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (FAPSA) Caloocan Association of Private Schools (CAPRIS) National Capital Region School Registrars Association (NACSRA) Philippine Association for Teacher Education (PAFTE) Inter-School Athletic and Academic League (ISAAL) Asian Association of School Human Resource Management and Development Practitioners, Inc. (AASHPI) North Private School Association of Caloocan (NPSAC) Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC)  Number of Channels You can think of a channel as a ‘lane’ of communication between the processor and memory. The more lanes, the faster the data exchange can be. Essentially, all modern CPUs support a minimum dual-channel memory, with higher-end workstation CPUs like the AMD Threadripper and Intel Xeon supporting more channels. To take advantage of dual-channel memory, install two RAM modules of the same type into the two DIMM slots indicated by your motherboard manual. Column Address Strobe (CAS) Latency CAS latency or CL, which is measured in nanoseconds refers to the delay in between the request for data in the RAM and when it is available. DDR4 memory modules usually have a CAS latency of at least 15, with lower ratings being better. In the case of two RAM modules having the same speed but different CL latencies, the module with the lower CL will perform better. 8. TDP (Thermal Design Power) TDP stands for Thermal Design Power, and measures in watts, the amount of heat that a CPU will generate under load. While similar, TDP is not the same thing as power consumption and is still helpful when choosing the right power supply, as well as the cooling system. It’s important to have a power supply that can handle the TDP a CPU is rated for, in addition to the other components in a build like the GPU. More powerful components consume more energy and therefore generate more heat requiring more advanced cooling solutions. For example, the budget-friendly AMD Ryzen 3-3100 and Intel Core i3-10320 are both rated for a TDP of 65 watts while the more advanced AMD Ryzen 7-3800X and Intel Core i7-10700K are rated for 105 and 95 watts respectively. 9. Fabrication Process, Micro-Architecture and Generation A modern-day CPU is made up of billions of transistors. The manufacturing process which is measured in nm (nanometers) refers to the semiconductor fabrication technology used to manufacture a CPU. Please note that the measurement in nanometers, e.g., 7nm, does not actually represent the size of the transistors and is more of a commercial term. Additionally, Intel’s 10nm process transistor density is reportedly similar to AMD’s 7nm process. Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (FAPSA) Caloocan Association of Private Schools (CAPRIS) National Capital Region School Registrars Association (NACSRA) Philippine Association for Teacher Education (PAFTE) Inter-School Athletic and Academic League (ISAAL) Asian Association of School Human Resource Management and Development Practitioners, Inc. (AASHPI) North Private School Association of Caloocan (NPSAC) Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC)  Smaller more energy-efficient transistors mean more can fit in the same space, resulting in more powerful energy-efficient CPUs. While this spec can give you an idea of how advanced a chip is, it’s not an accurate measure of performance. More important specs to consider would be clock speed and core count. The micro-architecture is the layout structure of electronic components on the processor chip. Every newer architecture is supposed to be better and efficient than its predecessors. For example the latest 5000 series AMD processors are based on Zen 3 Architecture. Similarly the 10th generation of Intel's i series processors are based on Comet Lake micro-architecture. The 8th generation processors were based on Coffee Lake. Both AMD and Intel have various micro-architectures used in their cpus. Usually its a better idea to go with newer generation cpus. But at the same time, older generations cpus might be available at cheaper prices, which may offer a better performance to price ratio sometimes. 10. Socket Type A CPU socket is a physical interface on a motherboard in which a processor is placed to connect to the other components of a computer. AMD and Intel processors both support their own specific socket types. Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (FAPSA) Caloocan Association of Private Schools (CAPRIS) National Capital Region School Registrars Association (NACSRA) Philippine Association for Teacher Education (PAFTE) Inter-School Athletic and Academic League (ISAAL) Asian Association of School Human Resource Management and Development Practitioners, Inc. (AASHPI) North Private School Association of Caloocan (NPSAC) Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC)  The socket type determines the number of pins used and their physical configuration, so it’s important to make sure your motherboard and processor are compatible. Keep in mind that two different processors could share the same socket type but will not be compatible with the same motherboard. This is due to a different chipset being used (more on this below). Having a backward-compatible socket is useful if you plan on upgrading your processor later on. AMD has the best backward compatibility with their AM4 socket that supports older processors, while Intel has a couple of different versions that are still current today. Current Intel sockets: ▪ LGA 1151 v1 (6th & 7th gen) ▪ LGA 1151 v2 (8th & 9th gen) ▪ LGA 2066 (workstation CPUs) ▪ LGA 1200 (10th gen) Current AMD sockets: ▪ AM4 (Ryzen & Athlon) Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (FAPSA) Caloocan Association of Private Schools (CAPRIS) National Capital Region School Registrars Association (NACSRA) Philippine Association for Teacher Education (PAFTE) Inter-School Athletic and Academic League (ISAAL) Asian Association of School Human Resource Management and Development Practitioners, Inc. (AASHPI) North Private School Association of Caloocan (NPSAC) Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC)  ▪ TR4 (Threadripper) The latest LGA 1200 socket is not compatible with older processor generations. However, the current AMD AM4 socket is backward compatible with older AMD processors. 11. Chipset The chipset of a motherboard handles the data flow between the components of your computer. It determines how fast your computer’s components communicate with each other, whether or not you can overclock your CPU, the speed of your RAM, and how many USB connections you can have. A PC’s components communicate with each other using PCIe® lanes, and more lanes equal faster data transfer. A PCIe lane can be considered as the physical wires on a motherboard that connect components. A more budget-friendly chipset like AMD’s B450 comes with 36 PCIe® 3 Lanes, whereas the more advanced and expensive chipset, X570 comes with 44 PCIe® 4 Lanes. Common Intel Chipsets: ▪ HM370 ▪ QM370 ▪ CM246 ▪ H410 ▪ B460 ▪ H470 ▪ Q470 ▪ Z490 ▪W480 Common AMD Chipsets: ▪ A320 ▪ A520 ▪ B350 ▪ B450 ▪ B550 ▪ X370 ▪ X470 ▪ X570 Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (FAPSA) Caloocan Association of Private Schools (CAPRIS) National Capital Region School Registrars Association (NACSRA) Philippine Association for Teacher Education (PAFTE) Inter-School Athletic and Academic League (ISAAL) Asian Association of School Human Resource Management and Development Practitioners, Inc. (AASHPI) North Private School Association of Caloocan (NPSAC) Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC)  ▪ X399 ▪ TRX40 12. Integrated Graphics Many CPUs come with integrated graphics on the chip itself, meaning you don’t need a dedicated GPU to drive your monitor. While an integrated graphics solution is a solid option for casual users, some users add a discrete graphics card to their system for added graphical performance. Integrated graphics can also be helpful when troubleshooting a discrete graphics card as you can still display an image on your monitor even if your discrete GPU is malfunctioning. Intel offers Intel HD Graphics, Intel UHD Graphics, and Intel Iris in selected CPUs while AMD offers Radeon Vega graphics. For those who are doing advanced photo/video editing or high-end gaming, it's best to have a dedicated graphics card. Conclusion It’s important when choosing a CPU to consider a CPU as a whole instead of focusing on just one feature or specification. For example, a glance at the AMD Ryzen 5-3600X and the Ryzen 7-3700X, and you may notice that the 3600X has a higher clock speed at 3.8GHz than the 3700X, which is 3.6GHz. However, this does not tell the whole story: the 3700X has 8 cores each capable of running at 3.6GHz, while the 3600X has 6 running at 3.8GHz. Even though the Ryzen 5 CPU has a higher clock speed, the Ryzen 7 will typically outperform it in most cases since it has more cores. It’s common to first choose a CPU that is best for your intended use and budget, and then choose other compatible components based on that CPU. VI. POST TEST VII. ASSIGNMENT / READINGS Random Access Memory References: https://www.binarytides.com/cpu-specs-explained/ https://techguided.com/7-cpu-specs-explained/ https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Specs-Explained-CPU-137/ Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (FAPSA) Caloocan Association of Private Schools (CAPRIS) National Capital Region School Registrars Association (NACSRA) Philippine Association for Teacher Education (PAFTE) Inter-School Athletic and Academic League (ISAAL) Asian Association of School Human Resource Management and Development Practitioners, Inc. (AASHPI) North Private School Association of Caloocan (NPSAC) Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC)  https://www.gamingscan.com/cpu-specs-explained/ Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (FAPSA) Caloocan Association of Private Schools (CAPRIS) National Capital Region School Registrars Association (NACSRA) Philippine Association for Teacher Education (PAFTE) Inter-School Athletic and Academic League (ISAAL) Asian Association of School Human Resource Management and Development Practitioners, Inc. (AASHPI) North Private School Association of Caloocan (NPSAC) Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC)