Computer CPU parameters are marked incorrectly? The CPU with 8 cores and 8 threads is marked as 8 cores and 16 threads

CPU is the abbreviation of Central Processing Unit. The detailed parameters of CPU include core structure, main frequency, external frequency, multiplier, interface, cache, multimedia instruction set, manufacturing process, voltage, packaging form, integer unit and floating-point unit, etc.

The CPU is generally composed of a logic operation unit, a control unit, and a storage unit. The logic operation and control unit include some registers, which are used to temporarily store data during the CPU processing process. The parameters you see when buying a CPU on the market are generally in the format of (main frequency front-end bus secondary cache). For example, the Intel P6670 is (2.16GHz800MHz2MB). [1] The performance indicators of the CPU include main frequency, multiplier, external frequency, bus frequency, secondary cache, operating voltage, interface and manufacturing process. The main CPU indicators/parameters that you need to focus on are as follows:

Main frequency Main frequency, that is, the clock frequency of the CPU, is simply the operating frequency of the CPU. For example, the P4 (Pentium IV) 1.8GHz we often talk about, this 1.8GHz (1800MHz) is the main frequency of the CPU. Generally speaking, the number of instructions completed in one clock cycle is fixed, so the higher the main frequency, the faster the CPU speed. Main frequency = external frequency x frequency multiplier. In addition, it should be noted that the main frequency of AMD's Athlon XP series processors is nominally PR (Performance Rating) value, such as Athlon XP 1700+ and 1800+. For example, the Athlon XP with an actual operating frequency of 1.53GHz is nominally 1800+, and it is also displayed in the self-test screen when the system is turned on, the system properties of the Windows system, and detection software such as WCPUID.

External frequency is the external clock frequency of the CPU. The standard external frequency of the motherboard and CPU are 66MHz, 100MHz, and 133MHz. In addition, the more external frequencies that can be adjusted on the motherboard, the better, especially for overclockers. The external frequency we refer to is the speed of the connection between the CPU and the motherboard. This concept is based on the oscillation speed of the digital pulse signal.

Frequency multiplier refers to the multiple of the difference between the CPU external frequency and the main frequency. For example, the CPU of Athlon XP 2000+ has an external frequency of 133MHz, so its frequency multiplier is 12.5 times. The original CPU did not have the concept of frequency multiplier, and its main frequency was the same as the external frequency. However, as the speed of CPU became faster and faster, frequency multiplier technology came into being. Its greatest function is to enable the system bus to work at a relatively low frequency, while the CPU speed is infinitely increased.

Interface refers to the interface between the CPU and the motherboard. There are two main types. One is the card interface, called SLOT. The CPU with the card interface is inserted vertically into the motherboard like the various expansion cards we often use, such as graphics cards, sound cards, etc. Of course, there must be a corresponding SLOT slot on the motherboard. CPUs with this interface have been eliminated. The other is the mainstream pin interface, called Socket. The CPU with the Socket interface has hundreds of pins. Because of the different numbers of pins, it is called Socket370, Socket478, Socket462, Socket423, etc.

Cache refers to a memory that can exchange data at high speed. It exchanges data with the CPU before the main memory, so it is extremely fast, so it is also called cache. The cache associated with the processor is generally divided into two types: L1 cache, also known as internal cache; and L2 cache, also known as external cache. For example, the Pentium4 "Willamette" core product uses a 423 pin architecture, has a 400MHz front-end bus, has 256KB full-speed L2 cache, 8KB L1 trace cache, and SSE2 instruction set.

Internal Cache (L1 Cache)

This is what we often call the first-level cache. Having a built-in cache in the CPU can improve the CPU's operating efficiency. The capacity and structure of the built-in L1 cache have a greater impact on the CPU's performance. The larger the L1 cache, the less the CPU exchanges data with the slower L2 cache and memory when it is working, and the relative speed of the computer can be improved. However, the cache memory is composed of static RAM and has a complex structure. If the CPU die area cannot be too large, the capacity of the L1 cache cannot be too large. The capacity unit of the L1 cache is generally KB.

Tianyancha App shows that recently, ASUS Computer (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. was fined 5,000 yuan by the Shanghai Minhang District Market Supervision Administration for using advertisements or other methods to make misleading false propaganda about product quality, performance, and use.

The reason for the punishment shows that ASUS previously sold a laptop in its official flagship store, labeling the CPU as 8 cores and 16 threads when it actually had 8 cores and 8 threads. The company discovered the problem a week later, modified it and provided a solution, during which time it sold a total of 11 computers with sales of 60,489 yuan.

It is reported that ASUS immediately made modifications after discovering that the relevant parameters were mislabeled on April 28, 2021. It also contacted the relevant sales users in a timely manner, communicated and explained, provided solutions, processed returns and refunds for the above users, and compensated the relevant consumers. Therefore, the mislabeling of parameters was not intentional by ASUS, but once consumers complained about such illegal publicity, the merchant would often be severely punished.

For computers, the CPU is one of the most core hardware, equivalent to the human brain. It determines the computing speed of a computer. Whether it is a desktop or a laptop, the selection of the CPU is crucial. I believe that everyone does not know much about the CPU. Below, the installation home will share the latest and comprehensive explanation of CPU knowledge. If you want to learn CPU knowledge, this article is definitely a must-read for computer novices.

Currently in the market, CPUs are mainly divided into two camps, Intel and AMD. Among them, Intel has the largest market share and is also the leader in the CPU industry. Since AMD launched the Ryzen processor, various performance indicators have begun to be marked with the Intel platform and have taken the cost-effective route. Now the gap compared to the Intel platform is narrowing. The two have their own advantages, so whether you choose Intel or AMD processors, it is a good choice.

Chapter 1: Knowledge of CPU model naming rules

We can also get some parameter information from the CPU model name, such as what level the CPU belongs to, which generation it is, whether the CPU supports overclocking, and whether it has a built-in core graphics card, all of which can be seen in the CPU model.

Let's take a few Intel CPU models as examples:

Note: For Intel CPUs, as long as the CPU model does not have an F suffix, it has a built-in core graphics card.

The model is Intel Core i7-12700KF. Intel is the brand. Core i7 is positioned at the high-end level. 12 is the generation, indicating that it is the 12th generation CPU. The larger the number 700, the higher the performance. KF supports overclocking and has no built-in core graphics card.

The model is Intel Core i7-11700K. Intel is the brand. Core i7 is positioned at the high-end level. 11 is the generation, indicating that it is the 11th generation CPU. The larger the number 700, the higher the performance. K supports overclocking. Models without an F suffix indicate a built-in core graphics card.

The model is Intel Core i5-9400F. Intel is the brand. Core i5 is positioned at the mid-range mainstream level. 9 is the generation, indicating that it is the 9th generation CPU. The larger the number 400, the higher the performance. F means there is no built-in core graphics card.

The model is Intel Core i3-8100. Intel is the brand. Core i3 is positioned at the mid-to-low-end mainstream level. 8 is the generation, indicating that it is the 8th generation CPU. The larger the number 100, the higher the performance.

It should be noted that, for example, if the model number is Intel Core i5-750, if you see a three-digit number, do not assume that it is a 7th generation product. Any three-digit number is the 1st generation CPU, and the 7th generation CPU is a four-digit number, such as i5-7500, i7-7700.

Here are a few examples of AMD models:

Note: AMD Ryzen CPUs do not have built-in integrated graphics. Only CPUs with a G suffix have built-in integrated graphics. The suffix G is usually an APU. In addition, AMD's early naming was very messy and basically had no rules. Here we will mainly start with the Ryzen series.

The model is AMD Ryzen R7 5800X. AMD is a brand. Ryzen is similar to Intel's Core. R7 is positioned at the high-end level, similar to Intel's i7. It starts with the number 5, representing the 5000 series, and belongs to the fourth generation of Ryzen. The larger the number 800, the higher the performance. X represents a processor that supports XFR technology.

The model is AMD Ryzen R5 3600. AMD is a brand. Ryzen is similar to Intel's Core. R5 is positioned at the mid-range mainstream level, similar to Intel's i5 positioning. It starts with the number 3, representing the 3000 series, belonging to the third generation of Ryzen. The larger the number 600, the higher the performance.

The model is AMD Ryzen R3 3100. AMD is a brand. Ryzen is similar to Intel's Core. R3 is positioned at the mid-to-low end, similar to Intel's i3. It starts with the number 3, representing the 3000 series, which belongs to the third generation of Ryzen. The larger the number 100, the higher the performance.

Intel Core i3, i5, i7, and i9 are positioned as low-to-mid-range, mid-range, high-end, and flagship, respectively, and are positioned against AMD Ryzen R3, R5, R7, and R9, respectively. This positioning is limited to the levels in the same generation and cannot be used for level positioning in different generations. Why do I say that? Because each generation will have different degrees of performance improvement. Take the i5 12600K, which is positioned as the mid-range mainstream in the 12th generation, for example. Its performance can completely kill the 11th generation flagship i9-11900K. However, the performance of the i9-11900K is the highest among the 11th generation CPUs and is positioned at the flagship level. The same is true for AMD. Therefore, when comparing the performance of the CPU, we cannot only look at i3, i5, i7 or i9, because the new generation of architecture and process technology have a great impact on the performance of the CPU. Later in the article, we will briefly popularize the CPU architecture, and for novices, the most intuitive way to judge the performance of the CPU is to check the CPU ladder chart.