Choosing a processor for the computer

The content of the article

• Key Features
• What is the difference between AMD and Intel
• Which processor to choose for a computer
• For games
• For use at home or in the office
• For demanding programs
• Rating of the best processors for PC 2019
• 2015 processor test chart

The heart of a computer is called a processor, which is its primary data processing device. The part has the form of a chipset and is responsible for computing processes. How to choose a processor for the computer – the most important issue when buying technology. The overall speed of the system largely depends on the performance of this part. In order not to regret your purchase, choose components based on their characteristics.

Key Features

1. Manufacturer. There are two main competitors that produce processors for computers – these are AMD and Intel. The second company is considered a leader in the development of cutting-edge technologies. AMD’s main advantage over Intel is its relatively low prices. Moreover, the production of the first one is second behind the second one in productivity slightly (on average, by 10%), but the cost is 1.5-2 times lower.
2. What is the processor clock speed? This parameter determines how many operations the device can perform in a second. What affects the frequency of the processor: a high indicator of this characteristic promises fast processing of data by a computer. The parameter is considered one of the most important when choosing a device. How to find out the frequency in Windows: right-click on the properties menu on the “My Computer” icon.
3. Number of Cores. This indicator affects the number of programs that can be run on a PC without losing its performance. Outdated computer models are equipped with quad-core or dual-core processors. New devices released in recent years have 6- and 8-core parts. However, if the software is optimized for a dual-core PC, more cores will not speed up its work. On the part box, you can see the alphanumeric marking, the decoding of which will provide data on the number of cores.
4. The frequency of the system bus. The characteristic indicates the speed of flows of incoming or outgoing information. The higher the indicator, the faster the exchange of information..
5. Cache memory. A large role in the PC is played by the processor cache, which has the form of a high-speed memory block. The part is located directly on the core and is needed to increase productivity. Thanks to it, data processing is faster than in the case of RAM. There are 3 levels of cache memory – from L1 to L3. The first two have small volumes, but the third confidently wins, providing for large capacity – due to the speed of work.
6. Type of connector (socket). This characteristic is not considered paramount, but it has some relevance when choosing a device. A socket is a “socket” in the motherboard into which the processor is located, so it must be compatible with the selected part. For example, if the socket is marked AMZ, you need a corresponding connector on the motherboard. The latest models are equipped with modern types of “nests” and often have improved characteristics (bus frequency and others).
7. Power consumption and cooling. Powerful modern devices have a negative effect on the power consumption of a computer. To avoid overheating of parts and their breakdown, use special fans (coolers). To determine the level of heat release, a TDP indicator is used, indicating the amount of heat required in the removal. Based on this value, a specific model of the cooling system is selected.

What is the difference between AMD and Intel

A frequently asked question among those wishing to purchase a processor is: “What is better AMD or Intel?”. The main difference is the hyper-strength technology and the increased computing pipeline that Intel models have. Thanks to this, devices faster perform a number of tasks: archive files, conduct video encoding, and perform other tasks. Details from AMD do not worse with the listed tasks, but spend more time on it. Everyone determines for himself: which processor is better than Intel or AMD.

To simplify the selection, check out the merits of products from both manufacturers. Comparison of AMD and Intel processors:

Which processor to choose for a computer

The answer to this question depends on the tasks that the PC will have to perform. So, when choosing a gaming computer, you should pay attention to the model of the video card, since the graphics adapter is responsible for supporting certain technologies and the level of performance in games. However, without a properly selected central processor, the video card will not reveal its potential. Less demanding details are suitable for working with other programs or using a PC in the office..

For games

How to choose a processor for a gaming computer? There are a number of requirements for a gaming PC. The device must be able to process at least four data streams. The test results proved that Intel Hyper-Treading technology increases the number of frames per second. Experts consider Intel Core i5 models to be optimal for a gaming PC. AMD parts show less performance. If in the Intel lineup 4-core devices cope with their tasks, then their competitors show the same result with 8-core counterparts. Which processor to choose for games?

Top devices for games:

1. Intel Core-i5 Ivy Bridge (Quad Core);
2. Intel Core i5-4440 Haswell (Quad Core);
3. AMD FX-8350 Vishera (Octa Core).

For use at home or in the office

Browsers and other programs necessary for office work need an impressive amount of RAM, but practically do not load the hard drive and processor. Therefore, it is better to choose a computer with a large amount of memory. However, processor performance should not be neglected either. According to the test results, models from the lines of Intel Core i3 or i5 will become a good solution.

List of budget office devices:

• Intel Celeron G1820;
• AMD ATHLON II X2 255;
• AMD ATHLON II X4 750K;
• AMD A8-6600K.

For demanding programs

This category includes parts whose function is to provide fast operation of demanding programs, for example, video, graphic editors, etc. Devices of this type belong to expensive components and are characterized by maximum speed. This category of processors is often of interest to gamers who want to achieve better image quality during the game..

Overview of the best devices for demanding programs:

• AMD FX-8350 (8-core). Ideal for games and other programs designed for high-performance PC. Differs in speed and reasonable price.
• Intel i7-4770 (4-core). Runs games at the highest possible settings, works fast, is ideally optimized for Intel video cards.

Rating of the best processors for PC 2019

1. Intel Core i7-990x. Ideal for the latest generation gaming PC. The device is designed for 1366 socket, equipped with 6 cores, has a frequency of 3.46 GHz and 12 megabytes of cache memory. Estimated cost: 38 000 r.
2. Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. One of the most popular models. Equipped with 6 cores, it has 15 MB of cache memory and 3.5 GHz clock speed. Works great with any new demanding games and programs. Estimated cost: 46 000 r.
3. Intel Core i5-4690K. Inexpensive model will show excellent results in terms of performance. If you compare the i5-4690K with other devices, it stands out due to the price / quality ratio. The processor is equipped with a cache of the third level, has a 3.5 GHz clock frequency and 4 cores. Estimated cost: 22 000 r.
4. AMD FX-9370. The most powerful AMD processor has a new AM3 + socket and 8 cores, developing a maximum frequency of up to 4.4 GHz. The model is equipped with 8 MB of cache memory, which allows you to improve PC performance and use any programs, games. Estimated cost: 20-22 000 r.
5. Intel Xeon E3-1230 v3. The quad-core device belongs to the fourth generation of processors from Intel. It is equipped with a socket type 1150, which is considered the best among existing ones. The clock frequency of the Xeon E3-1230 v3 is 3.3 GHz, the cache memory is 8 MB. Estimated cost: 22 000 r.

2015 processor test chart

To understand how to choose a processor for your computer, you should familiarize yourself with the results of their testing. Devices are tested on the basis of Windows 7 (64-bit). For this, certain programs are selected to unleash the potential of multithreading, to determine whether there is support for AMD Turbo CORE (dynamic overclocking) and Intel Turbo Boost Technology technologies, and whether it is possible to use new SIMDs. Test results are expressed as a percentage of the performance of the fastest device among existing devices with 100% result..

CPU performance summary table:

If you want to purchase a processor, you should study its characteristics. For example, in the pursuit of frequency, many forget about the features of the core of a particular manufacturer, which negatively affects the performance of the computer. To remain satisfied with the purchase, it is necessary to take into account the parameters of the device and its compatibility with other details. Learn how to choose the right processor for your computer by watching the video below..