A unit of measurement for processor clock speed. What is processor clock speed

The main criterion when choosing a processor for a new computer is its speed. The faster the processor is, the faster you can work with various programs, utilities and the operating system itself. The speed of the processor depends, as already mentioned, on the clock frequency, measured in megahertz (MHz) and gigahertz (GHz). In addition, it depends on the size of the cache memory of the first and subsequent levels, the frequency of the data bus (FSB) and the processor bit depth.

A megahertz is a million vibrations per second, while a gigahertz is a billion vibrations per second. It is generally accepted that the higher the clock speed a processor operates, the better its performance. However, this is not always true. Moreover, the overall system performance is highly dependent not only on the processor, but also on all other components. Let's assume that you purchased a Core i3 processor with a clock frequency of 3 GHz, but installed only 2048 MB of RAM, and also used HDD with low data transfer speed. With this configuration, the differences in performance between a 2 and 3 GHz processor will be barely noticeable. In other words, the performance of a computer depends on the performance of the slowest component, be it the processor, RAM, a hard drive or even a power supply (because if the power supply is not enough to power the hardware components, you can completely forget about the stable operation of the computer).

Processor clock speed and its catch

Let's take a closer look at the question of why the processor clock frequency does not guarantee its high performance. Clock frequency, as its name implies, consists of clock cycles, or clock periods. Each operation performed by the processor takes one clock cycle and several wait cycles. The wait cycle is an “empty” cycle, i.e. a clock period during which no operations are performed. Wait cycles are necessary to ensure synchronous operation of different computer components. Different commands take different numbers of clock cycles to execute. For example, a Core i3 processor can execute a minimum of 12 instructions per clock cycle. The fewer clock cycles required to execute a command, the faster the processor will perform. In addition, other factors also affect performance, for example, the size of the first/second level cache.

Core I and Athlon II processors have different internal architectures, so commands are executed differently in them. As a result, it is impossible to compare these processors based on clock speed. For example, the Athlon II X4 641 processor with a clock frequency of 2.8 GHz has performance approximately comparable to Core processor I3, operating at 3 GHz.

it-war.ru

What is processor clock speed?

When you purchase or collect desktop computer, then you can find out that one of the most expensive parts will be the processor. The processor is the electronic unit or circuit that executes machine instructions, and one of the main pieces of computer hardware.

The processor has many different parameters, one of which is called clock speed. What it is?

The processor clock frequency is the frequency of synchronous clock pulses electronic circuit, which come from outside to the input of the circuit in one second. In other words, this is the number of operations performed by the processor in one second. At the same time, it is important not to forget that processors with the same clock frequency can have different performance, so to perform one operation various systems different numbers of cycles are required.

Clock frequency is measured in frequency units - megahertz and gigahertz.

It is believed that the higher the processor clock frequency, the more productive the processor itself. This is partly true, but only for models in the same manufacturer line. After all, processor performance is also influenced by other characteristics, for example, bus frequency or cache size. Some manufacturers allow you to “overclock” the processor clock speed.

By the way, an interesting point. As you know, single-core processors are not so common today; their place has been replaced by multi-core processors. However, this is not surprising, but that is not what we are talking about. Many people ask how the clock speed of multi-core processors is calculated? Some users believe that it is enough to multiply the clock speed by the number of processor cores. That is, if an 8-core processor has a frequency of 3 GHz, then you need to multiply 8 by 3 and get a frequency of as much as 24 GHz. In fact, this calculation has nothing to do with reality.

To understand the principle of calculating the clock frequency, you need to consider a simple example. Let's say we have a car that reaches 200 km per hour (that is, a single-core processor). If we take 4 of these cars (4-core processor), then no matter how hard we try, we will not be able to accelerate these cars to a speed of 800 km per hour under any desire. It’s the same with the clock frequency - if it is 3 GHz, then the 4-core processor has a frequency of the same 3 GHz.

fulltienich.com

Processor clock speed: what is it and what is it for? (#2017)

As you know, the processor clock speed is the number of operations performed per unit of time, in this case, per second.

But this definition is not enough to fully understand what this concept actually means and what significance it has for us, ordinary users.

You can find many articles on this subject on the Internet, but all of them are missing something.

More often than not, this “something” is the very key that can open the door to understanding. Therefore, we tried to collect all the basic information, as if it were a puzzle, and put it together into a single, holistic picture.

Contents:

So, clock speed is the number of operations a processor can perform per second. This value is measured in Hertz.

This unit of measurement is named after a famous scientist who conducted experiments aimed at studying periodic, that is, repeating processes.

What does Hertz have to do with operations in a second?

This question arises when reading most articles on the Internet from people who did not study physics very well at school (maybe through no fault of their own). The fact is that this unit precisely denotes the frequency, that is, the number of repetitions of these same periodic processes per second.

It allows you to measure not only the number of operations, but also various other indicators. For example, if you make 3 entries per second, then your breathing rate is 3 Hertz.


As for processors, a variety of operations can be performed here, which boil down to calculating certain parameters. Actually, the number of calculations of these same parameters per second is called the clock frequency.

Simple as that!

In practice, the concept “Hertz” is used extremely rarely; more often we hear about megaHertz, kiloHertz, and so on. Table 1 shows the “decoding” of these values.

Table 1. Designations

The first and last are currently used extremely rarely.

That is, if you hear that it has 4 GHz, then it can perform 4 billion operations every second.

Not at all! This is the average today. Surely, very soon we will hear about models with a frequency of terahertz or even more.

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So, it contains the following devices:

  • clock resonator - is an ordinary quartz crystal, enclosed in a special protective container;
  • clock generator - a device that converts one type of oscillation into another;
  • metal cover;
  • data bus;
  • textolite substrate to which all other devices are attached.

Device

So, a quartz crystal, that is, a clock resonator, forms oscillations due to the supply of voltage. As a result, oscillations of electric current are formed.

A clock generator is attached to the substrate, which converts electrical oscillations into pulses. They are transmitted to data buses, and thus the result of the calculations reaches the user.

This is exactly how the clock frequency is obtained. It is interesting that there are a huge number of misconceptions regarding this concept, in particular regarding the connection between nuclei and frequency. Therefore, this is also worth talking about.

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The core is, in fact, the processor. The core refers to the very crystal that forces the entire device to perform certain operations. That is, if a particular model has two cores, this means that it contains two crystals that are connected to each other using a special bus.

The fact is that each core performs its specific function and takes on part of the total load on the processor. It happens that due to a large number of cores, the device will work even slower, since the bus that connects them cannot withstand the load due to poor quality. Although this happens extremely rarely.

This can be illustrated with a simple example. If 4 people are walking along the road at a speed of 4 km/h, this does not mean that all of them together are walking at a speed of 16 km/h (4*4). They all move at a speed of 4 km/h.

Example with people

If you have any questions, ask them in the comments. We will be happy to answer!

geek-nose.com

What is the processor clock speed and what should it be?

The processor clock frequency is the number of oscillations over a certain period of time (in this case, per second). If we talk about a personal computer, then for it this is an indicator of the number of operations that the processor can perform in 1 second. Remember: the higher the clock speed, the higher the performance of the computer.

What varieties are there?

This is interesting! The unit of measurement of frequency is called the “hertz,” and it is named after the legendary German physicist Heinrich Rudolf Hertz, who in 1885 conducted a unique experiment to confirm the correctness of the electromagnetic theory. The scientist proved that light is a type electromagnetic radiation, which propagates in the form of special waves.

Experts distinguish 2 types of clock frequencies.

  1. External (affects data exchange between the RAM board and the processor).
  2. Internal (affects the correctness and speed of operation inside the processor).

Another interesting fact is that until 1992, these two indicators, as a rule, coincided, and only as a result of the introduction of new technologies by specialists from the well-known company Intel, the internal frequency was increased by 2 times compared to the external one. An example of such an achievement was the 80486DX2 processor, unique at that time. The manufacturer presented to the public 2 types of such a processor: one is less powerful (25/50 MHz), the other is with higher performance (33/66 MHz). This invention gave a serious impetus, including to other manufacturers, and they began to actively develop and produce processors with noticeably more power.

It is worth paying attention to such an important point: the processor clock speed is not the only criterion for assessing the speed and performance of a computer. You also need to take into account the amount of cache memory and the number of cores. Some latest generation processors use special system Turbo Boost, which is responsible for automatically increasing the clock speed of the processor cores. So, if you are an active gamer and cannot imagine your life without daily immersion in the fascinating world of complex games, both in plot and graphics, then you really need powerful computer. But for classic office work, a modern PC with minimal processor capabilities is also suitable.

How is the clock frequency determined?

As is known, clock oscillations are formed as a result of the action of a quartz crystal located in a special container. This device is called a “clock resonator”. The crystal begins to work only after voltage is applied and an electric current oscillates. Next, these oscillations are fed to a clock generator, as a result of which the electric current oscillations are converted into pulses, and they are already transmitted to the data buses.

Remember that it is the clock generator that is responsible for the required clock cycle of all PC components, including buses, RAM and, of course, the central processor. If the clock generator is working correctly, all components will also function as synchronously and smoothly as possible. There is also such a thing as a clock period.

The clock period is the minimum unit by which the operating time of a processor is measured.

Increasing frequency by overclocking

When interacting with the RAM board, the processor usually spends more than one clock cycle. This figure can be increased artificially, that is, as a result of the so-called “overclocking”, but when choosing this path, you need to be aware of some limitations:

  • the processor begins to consume a noticeably larger amount of energy, and the installed and operated power supply may not be able to handle this, so it is worth purchasing a more efficient model;
  • as a result of “overclocking”, the amount of energy emitted by the crystal increases, that is, both it and other components will heat up faster (only an effective cooling system will help to cope with the consequences of overheating);
  • If the amount of power supplied increases, electromagnetic interference is bound to occur, particularly in the operation of data buses (this can lead to a decrease in the amount of data transferred).

How to find out the processor frequency of your computer?

There are four main ways to find out the clock speed and thus determine the performance of a PC:

  1. View the documentation provided by the manufacturer along with your computer or laptop. The technical data sheet must indicate the type of processor and its clock frequency. If there is no inscription regarding the clock frequency next to the specified processor model, you can find it out by entering any search engine processor name, laptop model, etc.
  2. You can find out the clock frequency by reading the properties of your PC system. What do I need to do? First, go to the “Control Panel”; secondly, go to the “System Properties” section. This section displays computer performance indicators, including clock speed.
  3. You can take advantage of the capabilities of the BIOS, which you can enter by following some simple rules (for personal computers they are the same, for laptops they are different). The main thing is to press one “magic” button (for example, Del, Esc or F12) before the system starts booting.
  4. Install the CPU-Z utility on your computer, which is absolutely free, and its main purpose is to help the user find out everything necessary information about the processor, including its performance and clock speed.

So, you already know what clock speed is personal computer or laptop, what significance these indicators have for the speed of the equipment, you know how to determine the frequency, and we hope that this information will help you become an even more professional and successful PC user.

LookForNotebook.ru

What is processor clock speed

Historically, the clock frequency of the processor is the main indicator of the speed of a computer, and at one time even an uneducated person who did not know how an optical disk differs from a floppy disk could confidently say that the more gigahertz in a machine, the better, and no one would I didn't argue with him. Today, in the middle of the computer era, this kind of fashion has passed, and developers are trying to move towards creating a more advanced architecture, increasing the amount of cache memory and the number of processor cores, but clock speed is the “queen” of characteristics. In a general sense, this is the number of elementary operations (cycles) that the processor can perform per second of time.

It follows that the higher the processor clock speed, the more basic operations the computer can perform, and, therefore, the faster it works.

The clock speed of advanced processors ranges from two to four gigahertz. It is determined by multiplying the processor bus frequency by a certain factor. For example, a processor Intel Core The i7 uses a x20 multiplier and has a bus speed of 133 MHz, resulting in a processor clock speed of 2660 MHz.

Of all technical characteristics The most known processor speed among users is the clock speed. But few non-specialists fully understand what it is. More detailed information about this will help to better understand the operation of computing systems. Especially when using multi-core processors that have certain operating features that are not known to everyone, but which should be taken into account when operating a computer.

For a long time, the main efforts of developers were aimed precisely at increasing the clock frequency. Only recently has there been a trend towards development and improvement computer architecture, increasing the amount of cache memory, the number of processor cores. However, the processor clock speed does not go unnoticed.

What is this parameter - processor clock speed?

Let’s try to figure out what “processor clock speed” is. This value characterizes the number of calculations that the processor can perform in one second. Therefore, a processor with a higher clock speed has more high performance, i.e. capable of performing a greater number of operations in a certain period of time.

Majority modern processors have a clock frequency from 1 to 4 GHz. This value is defined as the product of the base frequency and a certain coefficient. In particular the processor Intel Core i7 920 has its own clock frequency of 2660 Hz, which is obtained due to the base bus frequency of 133 MHz and a factor of 20. Some manufacturers produce processors that can be overclocked to greater performance. For example, AMD's Black Edition and Intel's K-series line. It is worth noting that, despite the importance of this characteristic, it is not decisive when choosing a computer. Clock speed only partially affects processor performance.

Single-core processors have practically sunk into oblivion and are rarely used in modern computing devices. This is caused by the development of the IT industry, the progress of which never ceases to amaze. Even among experts, you can sometimes come across a misconception about how to calculate the clock speed of a processor with two or more cores. A common misconception is that the clock speed must be multiplied by the number of cores. For example, a 4-core processor with a clock frequency of 3 GHz will have an integrated frequency of 12 GHz, i.e. 4x3=12. But this is not true.

Let's explain this with a simple example. Let's take a pedestrian walking at a speed of 4 km/h - this is a single-core processor with a frequency of 4 GHz. A 4-core processor with a clock speed of 4 GHz is already 4 pedestrians walking at the same speed of 4 km/h. Indeed, in this case, the speed of pedestrians is not summed up, and we cannot say that they move at a speed of 16 km/h. We are simply talking about four pedestrians walking together at a speed of 4 km/h each. The same analogy can be applied to multi-core processor. Thus, we can say that a 4-core processor with a clock speed of 4 GHz simply has four cores, each of which has the same frequency - 4 GHz. A simple and logical conclusion follows from this: the number of processor cores affects only its performance, and does not increase the total clock frequency of the computing device.

The main criterion when choosing a processor for a new computer is its performance. The bigger The processor is fast, the faster you work with various programs, utilities and the operating system itself. The speed of the processor depends, as already mentioned, on clock frequency, measured in megahertz (MHz) and gigahertz (GHz). Moreover, it depends on the volume cache memory first and subsequent levels, data bus frequency (FSB) And processor capacity.

Megahertz is a million vibrations per second, while a gigahertz represents a billion vibrations per second. It is generally accepted that the higher the clock speed a processor operates, the better its performance. However, this is not always true. Moreover, the overall system performance is highly dependent not only on the processor, but also on all other components. Let's say you purchased a 3 GHz Core i3 processor, but installed only 2048 MB, and also used it at low data transfer speeds. With this configuration, the differences in performance between a 2 and 3 GHz processor will be barely noticeable. In other words, the performance of a computer depends on the performance of the slowest component, be it the processor, RAM, hard drive, or even the power supply (since if the power supply is not enough to ensure the operation of the hardware components, you can completely forget about the stable operation of the computer).

Processor clock speed and its catch

Let's take a closer look at the question why processor clock speed does not guarantee its high performance. The clock frequency, as its name implies, consists of beats, or clock periods. Each operation performed by the processor takes one clock cycle and several wait cycles. The wait cycle is an “empty” cycle, i.e. a clock period during which no operations are performed. Wait cycles are necessary to ensure synchronous operation of different computer components. Different commands take different numbers of clock cycles to execute. For example, processor Core i3 can execute at least 12 commands per clock cycle. The fewer clock cycles required to execute a command, the higher the processor. In addition, other factors also affect performance, for example, the size of the first/second level cache.

Processors Core I and Athlon II They have different internal architectures, so commands are executed differently in them. As a result, it is impossible to compare these processors based on clock speed. For example, a processor Athlon II X4 641 With a clock speed of 2.8 GHz, it has performance roughly comparable to a Core I3 processor running at 3 GHz.

Processor frequency is a value that determines how often the central processing unit (CPU) receives clock pulses that synchronize its operation. Many users are interested in the question of how frequency is measured. It is measured in Hertz, or the number of times the CPU clock input changes state per second. In fact, frequency measurement is used primarily to determine system performance.

Important! If the CPU frequency is, for example, 3 GHz, this does not mean that it executes three billion instructions per second. Each command can be executed several clock cycles.

All modern central processing units(CPUs) operate according to the following scheme: each action in them occurs in stages, with the arrival of the next pulse at a special input of the PC (usually designated CLK - from the word clock). Each impulse is called a beat. Several clock cycles make up the so-called “machine cycle” - the minimum time between processor access to memory necessary to read a command.

The CPU's job is to read the command and execute it. On average, one machine cycle takes about three clock cycles and several more clock cycles are spent on executing a command. In the instruction system of the x86 or x64 families, the duration of instructions can reach from 3 to 30 cycles. In addition, the CPU also has idle cycles.

That is, the actual performance (the number of commands executed by the CPU per second), although it depends on the frequency, is not equal to it.

This article will look at how to find out the clock frequency, how to check it for compliance with the standard value, and how to change the processor frequency values.

In fact, the CPU frequency at which it runs is a value that depends on two important parameters:

  • operating speed system bus(front side bus or FSB);
  • The amount of multiplier currently used by the CPU.

The final value is obtained by multiplying one parameter by another. That is, each parameter can affect the overall frequency. For example, at Intel processors Core i7-4700 FSB value is 100 MHz, and the multiplier can vary from 23 to 23 depending on the operating mode of the CPU. Which corresponds to the actual processor clock frequency from 2300 MHz to 3300 MHz.

Designation and measurement of processor frequency

The frequency is indicated on the processor case or in its documentation. It should be immediately noted that in these places its standard value for the CPU is indicated. Its real indicator for the CPU can be measured either using the operating system or using third-party programs.

Impact of the indicator

Frequency is a basic value that affects performance computer system generally. This is one of the main parameters that determines the performance of a PC. The influence of other parameters (number of cores, cache size, etc.) appears in no more than 20% of cases.

In fact, to increase system performance, you can try to increase the CPU clock speed within the limits that the computer hardware will allow.

The nominal frequency is the value at which the CPU operates at nominal mode with the calculated speed and its heat dissipation does not exceed the maximum permissible value.

In addition to the standard value, they operate with the concept of effective frequency. This is simply the value that the CPU is currently working with. It can be higher than standard (for example, games require maximum speed to ensure the best performance of the graphics subsystem) or lower when the PC is in rest mode.

You can view the values ​​of the standard and current frequency standard means, built into Windows 7 or Windows 10. Even the minimal diagnostic functionality installed on these systems allows you to find these parameters. OS are able to find almost all existing CPUs in the database and display their standard value (in the system properties), as well as determine the current one (in the task manager).

In addition, all of the above parameters can be determined using any third party program diagnostics, for example:

  • AIDA64;
  • CPU-Z;
  • Speccy;
  • HWInfo;
  • etc.

The listed programs are capable of determining both the current and standard values. In addition, you can find out the standard value by looking at the PC BIOS in the CPU Info or CPU Clock Settings section.

Attention! The frequency can be easily changed in the BIOS. Actually, almost all CPU overclocking with fine-tuning its parameters can be correctly implemented exclusively through the BIOS.

How to find out how to change the processor frequency

The question of how to find out the CPU frequency has actually already been addressed. Even ordinary ones Windows tools allow you to do this without any problems. However, most users have more pressing concerns: they want to get the most out of their PCs.

Therefore, working in “turbo” mode has long become almost a standard mode for most PCs. The operation of modern cooling systems allows you to increase the frequency by 20-30% of the standard value without any problems, without fearing for the fate of your CPU. This is why many users increase the speed of their CPU using all available methods: from changing speed and power plans to hardware overclocking the processor.

Let's look at how to increase the CPU clock speed. Since its final value is obtained as a product of the FSB value by a multiplier, there are two ways: increasing the FSB, or increasing the multiplier.

However, both have their limitations. The multiplier value is initially locked by the manufacturer at a level slightly higher than the maximum value. For example, the multipliers for the above-mentioned i7-4700 have the following values:

  1. regular – 23;
  2. minimum – 6;
  3. turbo - 33;
  4. maximum – 35.

That is, the maximum frequency with which this CPU can operate is 3500 MHz, however, the manufacturer does not give this value, but a slightly lower one (3300 MHz), that is, the maximum overclocking of this processor by multiplier will be only 6%.

Attention! There are series of processors “for enthusiasts” in which the upper value of the multiplier is unlocked, that is, capable of accepting, in principle, any values. Such CPUs are designated by the index “K” or “X”.

The FSB limitation is determined not only by the physical processes in the CPU, but also by the behavior of the motherboard and the rest of the “body kit”: memory, video card, USB, etc., since each of these devices is also oriented towards the work with which the FSB operates.

The real increase in CPU speed with increasing FSB can reach up to 50%. However, these are extreme cases that require not only extreme cooling systems, but also setting delays in the operation of all of the listed devices. There will be a performance gain here only if these delays do not affect performance.

Directly increasing the processor frequency itself can be done using several methods:

  • “soft” software - by changing the processor power plan (usually, only the multiplier changes and all processes for changing the frequency occur automatically);
  • “hard” software - using special programs on fine-tuning CPUs running under Windows; for example, MS Afterburner and the like;
  • hardware - overclocking the processor using BIOS settings.

The last method is the most preferable, since it allows you to control both the FSB and the multiplier. In addition, this solution makes it possible to increase the CPU supply voltage if overclocking with the usual method does not bring results. In this case, they use a simple rule: gradually increase the FSB by 2-3% and monitor the stability of the system. If the system does not fail, they switch to a higher frequency; if there are failures, they increase the voltage.

The increase in frequency is stopped at its last stable value, at which the increase in voltage is not dangerous for the CPU (no more than +10% of the nominal value).

The solution to the question of how to reduce the frequency consists of the opposite actions: usually this removes all overclocking, and the PC is switched to a power plan that has minimal power consumption. In this case, the system itself will lower the CPU frequency to the required values.

Dependence of processor frequency on the number of cores

In fact, the number or number of cores does not have any effect on the frequency. However, there are some peculiarities of the operation of multi-core systems related to this. In fact, multi-cores were initially planned as a further achievement of ever-increasing performance. But over time, it became clear that the performance of modern CPUs in trivial tasks is already more than sufficient.

And in first place more problems began to arise not so much as issues of productivity, but as issues of energy saving. The latter required a reduction in frequency, since, as practice has shown, it is often more profitable to reduce the frequency than to maintain it at some constant value.

Before 2015, all multi-core CPUs had uniform speed values ​​for each core. And only the appearance of the Skylake family in 2015 made it possible to set its own speed for each core. For all subsequent generations (sixth and later), frequencies can be lowered or increased for each core separately. The methods for lowering or increasing the frequency for each core individually are the same as for the processor as a whole. Modern tweakers allow you to fine tuning frequencies of each core.

That is, now the question of what is more important: speed or consumption is decided at the kernel level.

Ways to change the processor frequency on a PC and laptop

On a laptop, there are relatively few ways to change the frequency related to the built-in functionality (BIOS, etc.), since manufacturers deliberately “protect” their users from all potentially dangerous actions. This has its own logic, since laptops are personal computers that work almost at the limit of their capabilities and it is unknown how they will behave if the balance of heat generation and heat dissipation in them is upset.

What is the standard frequency for a laptop can be found out from its description, but what will be the maximum frequency will most likely have to be determined independently, since it is not worth relying on the experience of other users in this matter, to put it mildly. The fact is that due to the design features of laptops, even minor changes in the design can have a significant impact on its cooling. And often even products from the same batch behave completely differently in the same tasks.

Therefore, when deciding how to increase the frequency on a laptop, you should very carefully monitor its condition, since the complexity of setting the thermal safety parameters of this type of personal computer can play a cruel joke on the user. For example, you can set the laptop to the minimum intensity of the cooling system, but at the same time, using a tweaker, give it overclocking to the processor. How he will behave in this case is unknown. If it turns off, good. And if not?

In any case, when experimenting with the FSB or CPU multiplier of a laptop, you should only use tweaker programs developed exclusively by the laptop manufacturer. Third party software It's better not to use it.

As you know, the processor clock speed is the number of operations performed per unit of time, in this case, per second.

But this definition is not enough to fully understand what this concept actually means and what significance it has for us, ordinary users.

You can find many articles on this subject on the Internet, but all of them are missing something.

More often than not, this “something” is the very key that can open the door to understanding.

Therefore, we tried to collect all the basic information, as if it were a puzzle, and put it together into a single, holistic picture.

Contents:

Detailed definition

So, clock speed is the number of operations a processor can perform per second. This value is measured in Hertz.

This unit of measurement is named after a famous scientist who conducted experiments aimed at studying periodic, that is, repeating processes.

What does Hertz have to do with operations in a second?

This question arises when reading most articles in people who did not study physics very well at school (maybe through no fault of their own).

The fact is that this unit precisely denotes the frequency, that is, the number of repetitions of these same periodic processes per second.

It allows you to measure not only the number of operations, but also various other indicators. For example, if you make 3 entries per second, then your breathing rate is 3 Hertz.

As for processors, a variety of operations can be performed here, which boil down to calculating certain parameters.

Actually, the number of calculations of these same parameters per second is called .

Simple as that!

In practice, the concept “Hertz” is used extremely rarely; more often we hear about megaHertz, kiloHertz, and so on. Table 1 shows the “decoding” of these values.

Table 1. Designations

The first and last are currently used extremely rarely.

That is, if you hear that it has 4 GHz, then it can perform 4 billion operations every second.

Not at all! This is the average today. Surely, very soon we will hear about models with a frequency of terahertz or even more.

How is it formed

So, in it there are the following devices:

  • clock resonator– is an ordinary quartz crystal, enclosed in a special protective container;
  • clock generator– a device that converts one type of vibration into another;
  • metal cover;
  • data bus;
  • textolite substrate, to which all other devices are attached.

So, a quartz crystal, that is, a clock resonator, forms oscillations due to the supply of voltage. As a result, oscillations of electric current are formed.

A clock generator is attached to the substrate, which converts electrical oscillations into pulses.

They are transmitted to data buses, and thus the result of the calculations reaches the user.

This is exactly how the clock frequency is obtained.

It is interesting that there are a huge number of misconceptions regarding this concept, in particular regarding the connection between nuclei and frequency. Therefore, this is also worth talking about.

How frequency relates to cores

The core is, in fact, the processor. By this we mean the very crystal that forces the entire device to perform certain operations.

That is, if a particular model has two cores, this means that it contains two crystals that are connected to each other using a special bus.

According to a common misconception, the more cores, the higher the frequency. It’s not for nothing that developers are now trying to fit more and more cores into them. But that's not true. If it is 1 GHz, even if it has 10 cores, it will still remain 1 GHz and will not become 10 GHz.

The fact is that each core performs its specific function and takes on part of the total load on the processor.

It happens that due to a large number of cores, the device will work even slower, since the bus that connects them cannot withstand the load due to poor quality. Although this happens extremely rarely.

This can be illustrated with a simple example. If 4 people are walking along the road at a speed of 4 km/h, this does not mean that all of them together are walking at a speed of 16 km/h (4*4).

They all move at a speed of 4 km/h.

If you have any questions, ask them in the comments. We will be happy to answer!