Processor : Complete Overview

It is the main component of a computer or device that performs calculations, executes instructions, and processes data to run applications and complete tasks. It is also known as central processing unit (CPU)

Key Concepts (with Intel i7-10510U Processor as example)

Cores:

It is an independent processing unit capable of executing its own tasks.(quad-core, multi-core)

Types of cores:
1) P-cores (Performance Cores):
It is designed for high-performance tasks that require strong single-threaded performance, such as gaming, rendering, and other CPU-intensive applications.
It has higher clock speed, more cache per core and support Hyper-Threading.

2) E-cores (Efficiency Cores):
It is designed for power efficiency and ideal for handling background and multitasking operations.

Ex. 4 cores

Clock Speed:

It denotes how many cycles (or instructions) the processor can complete in a second. Measured in gigahertz(GHz). The clock speed increases during charging and decreases when the processor heats up.
Ex. 1.8GHz

Cache:

A small amount of high-speed memory within the CPU, used to store frequently accessed data and instructions.
Ex. 8M Cache

Architecture(x86, ARM):

It denotes how they process instructions and interact with other components in a system.
Ex. x86

Threads:

It is the smallest unit of processing that can be scheduled and executed.
Ex. 8 threads

Formula for calculating no of threads:

Without Multi-Threading:
Number of Threads = Number of Cores × 1

With Multi-Threading:
Number of Threads = Number of Cores × 2

Thermal Design Power (TDP)

It is the maximum amount of heat a processor is expected to generate under typical, heavy workloads. It's measured in watts (W) and helps in designing cooling solutions, such as heatsinks and fans, to keep the processor operating within safe temperature limits.
Ex. 15 W

Maximum turbo frequency

It is the highest speed a processor can reach on a single core (or sometimes multiple cores) under specific conditions. It’s a temporary increase in clock speed designed to handle demanding tasks that need a burst of performance.

Thermal Throttling

When a CPU reaches high temperatures beyond its safe operating range, it may engage in thermal throttling to protect itself from damage. Thermal throttling temporarily reduces the CPU’s performance to lower its temperature, preventing overheating and maintaining stability.

It automatically reduces its clock speed and voltage
A CPU with a high TDP needs an effective cooling solution to maintain temperatures within safe limits.

Memory Specification

(Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, or Flex Mode)

1) Single Channel mode
Only one memory channel is active. This means that only one stick of RAM is in use by the memory controller at any given time.

2) Dual Channel
It allows two memory channels to be active simultaneously.

3) Triple Channel
It is available on some older Intel systems, especially with high-end CPUs, enables three memory channels.

4) Flex Mode
It is a hybrid memory configuration that works when you have unequal amounts of RAM across multiple channels (e.g., an 8 GB stick in one slot and a 4 GB stick in another).

Processor Manufacturers

1. Intel

Intel Core (i3, i5, i7, i9), Xeon (for servers), Pentium, and Celeron.

2. AMD (Advanced Micro Devices)

AMD Ryzen (for desktops and laptops), Ryzen Threadripper (high-end desktops), and EPYC (for servers).

3. Apple

Apple Silicon M-series (M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M2, etc.)

4. Qualcomm

Snapdragon processors (for smartphones, tablets, and ARM-based laptops).

5. MediaTek

Dimensity (for smartphones) and Helio (for mid-range and budget smartphones).

6. Samsung

Exynos (for smartphones and tablets).

Types of Processors (Based on specialized function)

Central Processing Unit(CPU)(versatile task processor):

• CPUs are designed to handle a wide variety of tasks, from running operating systems to managing applications, browsing, and much more.
• CPUs manage system operations, handle I/O operations, and orchestrate overall program flow.
• CPUs are optimized for high single-threaded performance, making them suitable for tasks where each step depends on the previous one.

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)(specialized task processor):

• GPUs are optimized for tasks that can be performed in parallel, meaning they can handle thousands of operations simultaneously. This is especially useful for repetitive calculations over large datasets.
• It excels at Graphics Rendering, Machine Learning and Deep Learning and Scientific Computing

Examples: NVIDIA GeForce, AMD Radeon.

AI/Neural Network Processors:

Examples: Google Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), NVIDIA Tensor Core.

Digital Signal Processors (DSP):

Examples: Texas Instruments DSP, Qualcomm Hexagon DSP.

Integrated Graphics(Intel)/Accelerated Processing Unit(AMD)

• It refers to graphics processing units (GPUs) that are built directly into the CPU or motherboard, rather than being a separate, dedicated component.
• Instead of having a separate, dedicated graphics card with its own memory and processing resources, integrated graphics share resources (like system memory) with the CPU.
• Integrated graphics do not have dedicated VRAM (Video RAM); instead, they share the system’s main memory (RAM)
• Integrated graphics require less power than dedicated GPUs, making them ideal for laptops, compact devices, and energy-efficient systems.
• Integrated graphics are suitable for everyday tasks like web browsing, watching videos, and office work.
• They can also handle light gaming, basic photo editing, and standard-definition video playback.

Types of Processors (Based on Use case)

Consumer-Grade Processors:

• General consumers, gamers, and everyday computing tasks (e.g., browsing, office work, multimedia).
• Common Use Cases: Basic to mid-range computing, gaming, multimedia, and light productivity tasks.
• Performance: These processors typically have fewer cores and threads compared to HEDT or server-grade CPUs, but they are optimized for high clock speeds, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Ex. Intel Core i3, i5, i7, i9 (e.g., Intel Core i5-13600K, i7-13700K), Ryzen 3, 5, 7, 9 (e.g., Ryzen 7 7700X, Ryzen 9 7900X)

High-End Desktop (HEDT) Processors:

• Enthusiasts, content creators, professionals, and gamers who need extra processing power for heavy workloads.
• Common Use Cases: Video editing, 3D rendering, software development, scientific applications, multi-tasking, and heavy multitasking.
• Performance: HEDT processors offer higher core counts, more PCIe lanes, and support for larger amounts of memory compared to consumer-grade processors. They balance both multi-threaded performance and single-threaded performance, with the ability to overclock. Ex. AMD Ryzen Threadripper (e.g., Threadripper 3970X, Threadripper PRO 5995WX), Intel Core X-series (e.g., Core i9-10980XE, Core i9-10940X)

Server-Grade Processors:

• Enterprise data centers, cloud computing providers, research institutions, and businesses requiring high reliability, scalability, and uptime.
• Common Use Cases: Hosting websites, databases, virtual machines, running enterprise-level applications, cloud workloads, and scientific computing.
• Performance: Server-grade processors are optimized for reliability, multi-threading, and large-scale parallelism. They are built to handle continuous workloads in high-demand environments with features like redundancy and fault tolerance. Server CPUs are often designed for multi-socket configurations, allowing for more cores and greater scalability. Ex. AMD EPYC (e.g., EPYC 7763, EPYC 7543), Intel Xeon (e.g., Xeon Scalable 8280, Xeon Gold 6230)

Stay Connected!
If you enjoyed this post, don’t forget to follow me on social media for more updates and insights:

Twitter: madhavganesan
Instagram: madhavganesan
LinkedIn: madhavganesan