CPU Facts 3.4

How is CPU performance measured?

Throughput, access time, execution time, etc.

What effect does CPU cache have on performance?

Doubling cache can nearly double performance.

What limits dual-core CPU performance gains?

Software must support multiple cores.

What instruction set improvements boost performance?

Hyper-Threading, SIMD, etc.

What are five ways to improve system performance?

Add RAM, upgrade disks, improve cooling, remove bloatware, monitor system health.

What does Windows Performance Monitor track?

CPU, RAM, disk, and network usage.

Why is clock speed less relevant today?

Architectural differences matter more than raw GHz.

When does higher GHz mean better performance?

Only within the same CPU family.

What is overclocking?

Running a CPU faster than its rated speed.

What are the risks of overclocking?

Heat, system instability, voided warranty.

What components must support overclocking?

CPU, motherboard, and RAM.

Why does overclocking create more heat?

It requires more voltage.

What is benchmarking?

Measuring CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage performance.

What is LGA?

Land Grid Array — Intel CPUs with contact pads.

What is PGA?

Pin Grid Array — AMD CPUs with pins.

What is ZIF?

Zero Insertion Force socket — used with PGA CPUs.

What is BGA?

Ball Grid Array — soldered CPUs, non-upgradable.

Why does CPU socket type matter?

It determines which CPUs are compatible.

What must match when installing a CPU?

The socket type and motherboard support.

What is Intel Turbo Boost?

Technology for dynamic CPU overclocking beyond base speed.

What is multithreading?

A CPU core handling multiple instruction threads.

What is Hyper-Threading?

Intel's version of multithreading — makes one core act like two logical processors.

What is an integrated GPU?

A graphics processor built into the CPU chip.

Why does a CPU need virtualization support?

To run virtual machines efficiently by allocating system resources.

What are the types of CPU cooling methods?

Passive (heatsink only), active (fan + heatsink), liquid cooling (radiator).

Why is thermal paste important?

It ensures proper heat transfer from CPU to cooler.

What factors should you consider when selecting a CPU?

System purpose, socket compatibility, BIOS support, performance needs, cost.

How do Intel and AMD CPUs compare?

Intel is faster but pricier; AMD is cheaper with competitive performance.

What is the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit processors?

64-bit processors support more memory (up to 16 EB); 32-bit limited to 4 GB RAM.

What are common CPU instruction sets?

IA-32 (32-bit), IA-64 (Itanium), x86-64 (64-bit).

What is processor cache?

Memory accessed directly by the CPU, with L1 smallest/fastest and L4 shared dynamically with GPU.

What is process size in CPUs?

Smaller process sizes mean smaller CPUs with more transistors and lower power consumption.

What is throttling?

Adjusting CPU performance to save energy or reduce heat, common in mobile processors.

What are mobile processors designed for?

Portability and efficiency, consuming less power and producing less heat.

What is virtualization?

Running multiple operating systems on one machine using a hypervisor; Intel VT and AMD-V improve this.