Without a CPU, a computer would be useless. The main processor (Central Processing Unit) is responsible for monitoring, regulating, and controlling other building blocks and hardware components.
Its performance is critical to the performance of the entire system. The models available on the market differ not only in terms of their price but also in terms of essential characteristics such as cores and clock speeds. Whether a processor suits you or not depends – roughly speaking – on a single question: What purpose do you want to use your PC for?
AMD OR INTEL – A QUESTION OF FAITH
When it comes to purchasing a CPU, you initially only have two options: You can choose a processor from AMD or a model from Intel. Both manufacturers offer different processors for every performance range. For a long time, Intel CPUs were in the lead. With the production of modern Ryzen processors, such as the AMD Ryzen 3000, AMD managed to catch up. Today, the CPUs of both manufacturers are socially acceptable and convincing with their respective advantages and disadvantages.
THE MOST IMPORTANT METRIC: PERFORMANCE
Processor performance is made up of various factors. The number of cores is of crucial importance: it provides information about how many tasks the processor can process in parallel. Modern CPUs are also technologically able to handle multiple tasks at the same time with just one core. As part of the so-called Hyper-Threading (Intel) or Simultaneous Multithreading (AMD), they show the operating system more cores than actually exist – and thus enable better utilization of the CPU. The clock rate is also decisive for the processor’s performance. It describes the number of oscillations that a CPU can process per second and is given in gigahertz (GHz) or megahertz (MHz). Basically, better processors are characterized by a higher clock rate. However, the manufacturers often only state the maximum clock rate on their datasheets. These values cannot be sustained in everyday life. The base or standard clock rate is, therefore, more important. Whether and how long the CPU can work with this performance depends primarily on the cooling.
In order to ensure smooth use of the Windows 10 operating system, Microsoft updated the CPU requirements at the end of last year. The Windows 10 1903 version is only supported by the seventh generation of AMD processors. The i3-, i5-, i7-, and i9-10XXX model series are supported for Intel chips.
THE IMPORTANCE OF COOLING CAPACITY
Processors turn a large part of the energy into heat. This waste heat can lead to overheating, which can result in malfunctions or even destruction of the CPU. For this reason, additional cooling is essential for modern computers. In normal operation, a cooling capacity of up to 105 watts is usually sufficient. But there are also chips that require up to 250 watts under load.
BENCHMARKS AND TECHNICAL DATA
Basically, a lot of useful information can be gleaned from benchmarks and technical data. However, an accurate assessment of the processor performance requires a certain understanding of the microarchitecture and the associated features. Without this knowledge, only a rough estimate is possible.
TIPS FOR BUYING A PROCESSOR
Many cores and a high clock speed can be an advantage but incur higher costs. Which performance makes sense depends largely on the planned use. If you only want to surf the Internet with your computer, inexpensive CPUs with two cores are usually sufficient. The same applies to Office applications. Current PC games require at least four cores. However, only processors with six or eight cores are future-proof in this context. If you use certain programs, it is worth taking a look at the manufacturer’s information: Here you will find information about how many cores the application can use.
