Introduction tothe CPU.

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Instructor, PACE-IT Program – Edmonds Community College

Areas of Expertise Industry Certifications

PC Hardware

Network Administration

IT Project Management

Network Design

User Training

IT Troubleshooting

Qualifications Summary

Education

M.B.A., IT Management, Western Governor’s University

B.S., IT Security, Western Governor’s University

Entrepreneur, executive leader, and proven manger

with 10+ years of experience turning complex issues

into efficient and effective solutions.

Strengths include developing and mentoring diverse

workforces, improving processes, analyzing

business needs and creating the solutions

required— with a focus on technology.

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– CPU basics.

– Intel and AMD CPUs.

– Which one is right for you?

PACE-IT.

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Introduction to the CPU.

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According to Moore’s Law, the

number of transistors on an

integrated circuit will double

approximately every two years,

thus creating exponential growth

in the power of the integrated

circuit.

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– CPU (central processing unit)

characteristics.» Speed: typically is the frequency at which one core of a CPU

operates; currently, it is measured in gigahertz (GHz). The

higher the number, the faster the core.

» Cores: the actual CPU on a chip. If a CPU is a multi-core CPU,

then it actually has multiple CPUs on the chip. The more cores,

the more simultaneous tasks that can be accomplished.

» Cache: expensive SRAM that is located on the CPU die. All

cache memory is much more expensive than regular RAM so

not much is used. L1 cache is typically embedded in each core

of the CPU. L2 cache is typically located just off of the CPU or

embedded in a coprocessor. L3 cache is still on the CPU die,

but is slower.

» Hyperthreading: the logical division of a CPU core. Through

special instruction sets in the CPU, it is made to look and

behave as if it has more than a single core.

Introduction to the CPU.

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– CPU characteristics.» Virtualization support: when virtualization began it always

required fairly complex software and a host operating system.

CPU manufacturers have now built virtualization support into

some of their processors. This allows for easier and less

complex virtualization.

» GPU: some CPUs have an integrated graphics processing

unit (GPU) on the die. This allows for decent integrated graphic

performance, while not hindering the basic operation of the

CPU.

» Architecture (32-bit vs. 64-bit): this deals with the amount of

memory that the CPU can address (keep track of). A 32-bit

architecture can only address a maximum of 4 GB of RAM,

while a 64-bit architecture can address a theoretical maximum

of 16.8 million TB of RAM. In actuality, the maximum amount of

RAM that a 64-bit system can handle is established by the

motherboard manufacturer.

Introduction to the CPU.

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– Cooling.» As a rule, the higher the performance of the CPU, the more

heat it will generate. Excessive heat will kill or burn out a CPU.

» Heat sinks: a device that is placed on top of the CPU. It

usually has a solid metal base but transitions to fins at the top.

A heat sink will draw heat away from the surface of the CPU

toward the top of the sink where it is radiated away into the

case.

» Thermal paste: a special compound that is used between a

CPU and a heat sink. It fills in the microscopic voids that are

present and will improve the performance of the heat sink.

» Fans: are used to help radiate the heat away from the heat

sink. They are designed to draw cooler air across the fins.

» Liquid-based cooling: works like a car’s radiator. The heat

sink actually has liquid being pumped through it to draw away

the heat; the liquid gets pumped to a radiator where the heat is

dissipated.

Introduction to the CPU.

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Introduction to the CPU.

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– Intel CPUs.» Currently, Intel uses land grid array (LGA) CPUs. The

CPU does not have pins on the bottom of the chip; the

pins are located in the CPU socket with the CPU having

a corresponding contact point. Intel processors are

usually defined by their processor family (e.g., Haswell,

Ivy-trail) and socket type.

» Intel socket types: LGA 775, LGA 1155, LGA 1156, LGA

1366 (plus many others with more being introduced all

the time).

– AMD CPUs.» Most AMD CPUs are pin grid array (PGA) CPUs. The

CPU has pins on the bottom that fit into holes in the

socket.

» AMD’s naming convention is based on processor family

and socket type as well.

» AMD socket types: 940, AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1,

F (as with Intel, this is not a comprehensive listing).

Introduction to the CPU.

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Introduction to the CPU.

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The key to determining the correct CPU for you is research.

When researching the purchase of a CPU, you need to consider

what you are trying to achieve as well as any budgetary

constraints. As a rule, the better the performance of the CPU, the

more it will cost and the newer the processor family is, the more it

will cost. Also in most situations, the software that is available

can’t take advantage of the full capabilities of the CPU, but it may

be able to in the future.

Introduction to the CPU.

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Introduction to the CPU.

CPU performance is usually based on the frequency speed, the number of

cores present, and the type and size of the cache memory. Hyperthreading

is the logical division of the core to make it act and look like more.

Virtualization support in the CPU has simplified the virtualization process. A

CPU may be either 32-bit or 64-bit. Cooling is very important to the CPU.

Topic

CPU basics.

Summary

Intel tends to use an LGA style of socket while AMD tends to use a PGA

type of socket. The CPUs of both manufacturers are known by the

processor family and the socket type that they use.Intel and AMD CPUs.

Research is the key in determining which CPU is the right CPU for the

application. Modern CPUs are more powerful than most software

applications, but that does change rapidly.Which one is right for you?

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THANK YOU!

This workforce solution was 100 percent funded by a $3 million grant awarded by the

U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The solution was

created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S.

Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or

assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including

any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the

information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability

or ownership. Funded by the Department of Labor, Employment and Training

Administration, Grant #TC-23745-12-60-A-53.

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