What is a CPU?
CPU is the abbreviation of "Central Processing Unit/Central Processing Unit" in English. CPU is generally composed of logical operation unit, control unit and storage unit. The logic operation and control unit includes some registers, which are used for temporary storage of data when the CPU processes data. In fact, when we buy a CPU, we do not need to know its structure, as long as we know its performance.
The main performance indicators of the CPU are:
The main frequency is the clock frequency of the CPU (CPU Clock Speed). This is what we are most concerned about. What we call 233, 300, etc. refers to it. Generally speaking, the higher the main frequency, the faster the CPU and the higher the overall machine. The clock frequency is the external clock frequency of the CPU, which is provided by the computer motherboard. It used to be 66MHz, but some motherboards support 75 and 83MHz. Currently, Intel's latest chipset BX uses a clock frequency of 100MHz. In addition, some non-Intel chipsets such as VIA's MVP3 and MVP4 have also begun to support 100MHz FSB. Elite's BX motherboard can even support 133MHz FSB, which is the first choice for overclockers.
Internal cache (L1 Cache): a cache enclosed inside the CPU chip. It is used to temporarily store some instructions and data during CPU operation. The access speed is consistent with the CPU frequency. The capacity unit of the L1 cache Usually KB. The larger the L1 cache, the fewer times the CPU exchanges data with the slower L2 cache and memory during operation, which can increase the computing speed of the computer.
External cache (L2 Cache): A cache external to the CPU. The L2 of the Pentium Pro processor runs at the same frequency as the CPU, but it is expensive, so the Pentium II runs at half the CPU frequency. , the capacity is 512K. In order to reduce costs, Inter Corporation has produced a CPU without L2 named Celeron, which has good performance and is ideal for overclocking.
MMX technology is the abbreviation of "Multimedia Extension Instruction Set". MMX is a new technology adopted by Intel in 1996 to enhance Pentium CPU in audiovisual, graphics and communication applications. 57 MMX instructions are added to the CPU. In addition to adding MMX instructions to the instruction set, the L1 cache in the CPU chip is increased from the original 16KB to 32KB (16K instructions + 16K data). Therefore, the MMX CPU contains MMX when running more than ordinary CPUs. When the program is instructed, the ability to handle multimedia is increased by about 60%. At present, most CPUs basically have MMX technology. In addition to P55C and Pentium II CPUs, there are also K6, K6 3D, MII, etc.
Manufacturing process: The current CPU manufacturing process is 0.35 micron, the latest PII can reach 0.28 micron, and the CPU manufacturing process in the future can reach 0.18 micron.
CPU manufacturers
1. Intel Corporation Intel is the big brother in producing CPUs. It occupies more than 80% of the market share. The CPUs produced by Intel have become the de facto x86 CPU technology. Norms and standards. The latest PII becomes the CPU of choice.
2. AMD currently uses CPUs from several companies. In addition to Intel, the most powerful challenger is AMD. The latest K6 and K6-2 have very good cost performance, especially K6-2 adopts 3DNOW technology, which enables it to perform very well in 3D.
3. IBM and Cyrix After the merger of IBM and Cyrix, the National Semiconductor Company of the United States, it finally has its own chip production line, and its finished products will become increasingly complete and complete. The current MII performance is also good, especially its price is very low.
4. IDT Company IDT is a rising star among processor manufacturers, but it is not yet mature yet.