CPU's, what does it all mean!?

MutD · Sep 19, 2005

Hi all,
Ive been looking at new CPU's and Im confused (it happens a lot).

From a basic point of view, I thought a CPU's speed was how many instructions it could do per second so a 3ghz cpu could do whatever 3ghz (3,000,000,000?) instructions per second. But looking at some AMD cpu's the fastest speed I could find was 2.8ghz surely this isn't an aplples to apples comparison with P4 is it?

Also what does FSB, dual-core, hyper-threading, hyper-transport and all other stuff thats quoted with CPU's actually mean? If anybody could point me to a website that explains it or be kind enough to give an explanation it would be much appreciated

DavidGP · Sep 19, 2005

Intels take on some of those things you have mentioned Kirk
http://www.intel.com/technology/computing/dual-core/ ( includes links to HyperThreading etc )

AMDs take
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/ProductInformation/0,,30_118_9485_13041^13078,00.html ( dual core )
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/ProductInformation/0,,30_118_4699_7981^2353,00.html ( hyper Transport )

a few interesting sites for you with info on CPU, HT, FSB etc
http://www.majorgeeks.com/glossary.php
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/ ( very good )
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon.htm
http://www.webopedia.com/ ( just enter search term in box )

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CPU's, what does it all mean!?

MutD Specialist

DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member