Which processor series is better? What can you expect from CPUs at different price points? Middle price segment

Many computer users in their lives have at least once asked the question: “How to choose a processor for a computer?” This is a very pressing and important issue. The processor is the brain of the computer and right choice This component directly affects the operation of the entire system.

Currently, it is worth noting the two main giants producing computer processors, the prices of which, however, are quite different between Intel and AMD. This makes the task a little easier, since you will have to choose between only two manufacturers. If you have an unlimited or very large budget, then the question of choice disappears by itself. You need to take the most expensive processor and not rack your brains. Let it be loaded at only 3% of its capacity. But without the painful problem of choice. But what to do if you have a limited budget and the tasks facing your computer are quite large? This is where the question of choice arises. How to choose the right price/performance ratio? How to spend less money and not lose productivity. This is where the questions begin. In this article we will try to sort the information into categories: about ratings, feasibility, money, productivity, etc. It should be noted right away that we will not go deeply into such technical details, such as core topology, computing power, technical processes, commands that support the processor, etc. This article will talk about how to choose new processor for desktop computer.

A little history

The history of computer technology in the form in which we are accustomed to seeing it began in our country with the Pentium. These were processors with a frequency of 120 Mhz on the fifth or seventh socket with a system bus frequency of 60 Mhz. Its competition was from AMD with its AMD K-5 PR 100 on the same socket and with a system bus frequency of 66 Mhz. In those distant times, there was no separation by sockets and everyone used the same motherboards. There were also IBM processors with a frequency of 200 MHz. These were the first generations of processors. What is commonly called Pentium I.

Closer to '98, MMX processors appeared, such as Intel Celeron 433 with a 66 MHz bus on a 370 socket. They were present on the market for a very long time and were considered a successful series. This can be called the second generation, or Pentium II.

Next came the more familiar Intel Celeron 633, Intel Celeron 1300 (with a closed core) and Intel Pentium 800 is also on the 370th socket. They were the third generation of processors, or Pentium III. From AMD, the Pentium III's competitors were AMD Athlon. AMD's advantage over Intel was in price. They won in terms of price/performance ratio.

In the early 2000s, fourth-generation processors entered the market. Intel generation Pentium IV. The first lines of this family were produced on socket 423. Intel was actively promoting RIM standard RAM at that time. In essence, it was an analogue of DDR 400 memory. RIM standard memory was quite expensive and not widespread on the market, and, accordingly, further development she didn't receive it. So, the nuance of the first Intel processors The Pentium IV was that they only worked with this memory. When purchasing a processor, RAM was also included with it. But the market dictates its terms, and Intel I had to agree with this. Next processors fourth generation released on socket 478 and already for DDR memory. These were Intel Celeron 1.7, and the 478th socket lasted until about 2006.

AMD at that time had several AMD Athlon processors with different cores on socket A (or 462). Their disadvantage and difference from Intel analogues was the open core, which could easily be damaged if not treated very carefully. Intel processor cores were covered with a metal cover.

Further development

In the early 2000s, AMD abandoned socket A and began releasing a new processor on the 754 socket, which did not last long. The main problems were chipsets and high heat dissipation. They were replaced by processors which also lasted a very long time. These were AMD Athlon 64 with dual-channel memory support. The next socket was AM2, for which the company began making dual core processors. They had significantly reduced heat generation. Then AM3, AM3+ appeared and everything ends on the FM2+ socket.

Intel's analogues were processors on the 775th socket. The first dual-core ones were the Intel Pentium D. Their main drawback was simply the enormous heat dissipation. Intel bought the technology from AMD, discontinuing the D series. After that, the CoreDuo line was released, then the Core2Duo with very low heat dissipation. A 4-core Core 2 Quad processor was also developed.

To date

Today, there are two giants and two main competitors in the processor market. These are Intel and AMD. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. To choose the processor you need, you need to clearly understand what tasks the computer will face.

There are quite a lot of processors in Intel's line. Starting with budget Atom, Pentium, Celeron, you can continue with Core2Duo or Quad. This is a 2- or 4-core processor. Everything ends with the most modern i3/i5/i7.

AMD currently has four series designed for desktop computers. These are the budget Athlon, the more expensive A-series and the top-end FX series.

Review of Intel processors

The company's oldest socket that still exists on the market is the 775 socket. It appeared already in 2004. The legendary Core2Quad was released under it. This processor is very easy to find on the aftermarket. It has a very low price and it is easy to create a budget gaming computer based on it.

In 2009, the Core processor line appeared and acquired the form in which it is familiar to us now. This is a division into i3/i5/i7, where the i3 line contains the most budget and cheapest, from Intel’s point of view, processors, and the i7 is the most expensive and productive. Also, since then, the general marking has been established, where the higher the last three digits, the higher the performance. For example, Intel Core i3 530 and Intel Naturally, new first-generation processors are no longer produced, but they can be found on the secondary market for a very good price, but without a built-in video core.

There was a separate one for the most productive processors of the i7 family. It was intended for Intel Core i7 from the 920th to the 980th model. You could also put several models there Xeon processors 55xx.

In 2011, the LGA 1155 socket was released. It is designed for the second and third generations of the Intel Core i family. These are good, productive processors with low power consumption and heat dissipation. Of the minuses, it is worth noting shortcomings in the operation of the video core and more high price than AMD.

Also this year, socket 2011 was released. It replaced 1366 and is also designed for top i7 processors and for several Xeon models, namely Xeon E5-16xx/26xx

In 2013, fourth-generation Intel Core i processors were released socket LGA 1150. Intel has improved the integrated graphics and reduced power consumption. The performance remains just as good and the prices are still as high.

Don't forget about budget models Intel lines Pentium and Celeron. They are intended for office or simple home use. Let's look at it in more detail.

Intel Atom are weak dual-core or even single-core processors. They are quite enough for some simple tasks, surfing the Internet or viewing mail and searching for any information. Accordingly, their prices are the lowest, which makes them suitable for assembling budget computers.

Celeron or Pentium processor

These are almost identical dual-core processors in terms of performance. The difference between them is that Intel Celeron is, in fact, an Intel Pentium with reduced cache memory. That is, the entire load falls on the core itself. Accordingly, programs that process large batches of data and use a cache to temporarily store them will perform poorly. It is cheaper than the Intel Pentium, but also less productive. The most affordable option, Intel Celeron, will cost about 1500-2000 rubles. Prices for Pentium start at about 2,500 rubles. Computers built on the basis of these processors are quite suitable for solving home or office problems. Their power is quite enough to work with MS Office or Nero, watch videos and work in simple graphic editors. They can also be used for some games. But you don’t need to count on serious and very high-quality graphics. They are not suitable for working with serious programs that process large packages of information.

Intel Core i3/i5/i7

For desktop machines, Intel offers a series of processors consisting of three models: i3, i5 and i7. It is logical to assume that for ordinary home use (Internet, movies, music, some applications, etc.) the i3 is perfect. In this line, these are the weakest and, accordingly, the cheapest processors for a computer. The price for it starts somewhere from 5,000 rubles. The performance of the i5 is an order of magnitude higher. It is suitable for vigorous home and office use that requires serious computing and data processing. For example, photo/video processing, office programs With large databases data, etc. Its price is also much higher. It starts somewhere from 8,000 rubles. And the top i7 is the most expensive and powerful processor. It is suitable for professional use and assemblies gaming computers for the most sophisticated toys. Prices for them start at 12,000 rubles. So the choice is quite simple.

It is worth adding a little explanation to the labeling. The four numbers at the end of the processor model name are sometimes followed by letters. The letter "k" means that the multiplier is unlocked and can be overclocked. This is an excellent processor for a gaming computer. The letter "p" means that the built-in video core is disabled. Accordingly, such processors cost a little less. The letter "s" indicates lower heat dissipation, but the letter "t" means that energy consumption and heat dissipation are as low as possible. At the same time, the clock frequency is also reduced.

Intel Xeon

I would like to briefly mention server processors Intel Xeon. They first saw the light in 1998 and are still being produced to this day. The number of cores ranges from two to ten, and the clock frequency ranges from 400 MHz to 3.8 GHz. There are a huge number of sockets for these processors. All of them are designed mainly for server motherboards. But there are some sockets that are the same as regular motherboards. This is 2011 which releases i7, 1155 and 1156 for i3/i5. But the most interesting thing is that there are also 771 and 775 sockets that can be used on old motherboards, giving them a “second life”. Dual-core Intel Xeon with a frequency of 2.66 GHz can run on motherboards with 775 socket and Intel chip P45 and P35. The BIOS must support this processor. Having made some small manipulations, namely placing a small adapter on the power legs and cutting off the guide “ears”, you can fit it to the motherboard and Xeon on socket 771. After replacing the processor, performance doubles. In the test results ranking it is between the Intel i5 and the cheapest Intel i7. Quite a good result for an old computer. In conclusion, it is worth adding that ordering such a used Xeon in China will cost 1000 rubles without delivery.

AMD processors

How to choose a processor for an AMD computer? What is currently on sale and what should we focus on? First, let's deal with sockets. There are currently four of them. These are sockets FM1, FM2 AM3 and AM3+.

For two of them, processors are no longer produced, and what is sold is what is left in warehouses. These are sockets AM3 and FM1. AM3 is the oldest of them. Processors for it began to be produced at the beginning of 2009. Two lines were released: AMD Athlon and AMD Phenom. We can say that Athlon is a little simpler and cheaper, while Phenom is more expensive, more complex and, accordingly, more productive. These are second-generation processors with a number of cores from two to six. Their advantages are their low price and very good performance. Phenom II, in principle, can compete with many modern quad-core processors, and may even outperform some. However, there are also disadvantages. These are quite old processors and require old motherboards. They also consume several times more energy and get very hot. The question of whether to buy these processors can be answered in different ways. If you're building a computer from scratch, it's probably not worth it. But on the other hand, if you already have an old motherboard and want to upgrade your computer, but your budget is very limited, then this is a good option for you.

In 2011, AMD integrated the graphics card directly into the processor. This is how it appeared new socket FM1 and new line AMD. These were AMD A4, AMD A6 and AMD A8 processors. There are few of them left on sale, and the price, like the performance, is quite low. In our opinion, there is no point in buying them at all.

Next, let's talk about modern processors on sockets FM2 and AM3+. What's the difference? Socket FM2 is designed for processors with an integrated video card. The line consists of five families. These are the updated AMD A4, AMD A6, AMD A8 and the new representative AMD A10. There are also AMD Athlon II processors, but these are essentially the same family A. Of these, AMD A4 and AMD A6 are dual-core models, and AMD A8 and AMD A10 are quad-core. Built-in video cores are different models Radeon HD from 7480D to 7660D. If you spend different tests and all kinds of tests, we can draw the following conclusion: the newest and most productive processor from this line is AMD A10 6800K, 4.1 GHz, with built-in Radeon video card The HD 7660D will allow you to play modern video games like Battlefield III only at the lowest or medium settings. Accordingly, it is not suitable for working in programs such as 3 DMax, but for office work and watching movies during your lunch break is just the thing. Its price is about 5,000 rubles.

Are A-series processors worth buying?

If you're looking to buy it for gaming, then probably not. Its price is too high, and the power of the built-in video core is very low. For the same money you can buy another, quite powerful processor and a separate video card, which will allow you to play most modern games quite comfortably at high settings.

But for everyday home or office tasks, the cheapest AMD A4 5300 from this line, which costs about 1,500 rubles, is quite enough. In this case, you no longer need to spend money on a separate video card, and it turns out to be a completely economical option.

Top AMD FX series

And now we come to the tastiest part - processors on the AM3+ socket. This is the AMD FX series line. No fiddling around with the video card inside, no overpaying for this built-in graphics. Also, the processor power is not divided between it and the video card. Number of cores: four, six or eight. Processor frequency - from 3300 MHz to 4200 MHz, overclocks well. Their prices are quite reasonable. These processors are perfect for both gaming and working with Photoshop, any 3D editors, engineering calculations, and so on. The disadvantages are their high power consumption and high heat generation.

A small postscript

Recently a new socket FM 2+ appeared. It is also designed for AMD with integrated graphics card. The table of processors for this socket looks like this: AMD A4, AMD A6, AMD A8, AMD A10 and AMD Athlon II X2. For example, AMD A10 on this socket costs 6,500 - 7,500 rubles. These are quite expensive considering their performance.

Therefore, if you need a completely budget option for the office or home, surf the Internet, listen to music, then you should pay attention to A-series processors. In all other cases, it is worth stopping at the FX series. For example, a six-core 3900MHz will cost about 4500-5000 rubles.

Comparison of top processors

At AMD top processor- FX 8350. Its price is about 7,000 rubles. Intel - Its price is about 11,000 rubles. Having tested the AMD processor according to the rating of the CPU Benchmark Performance program, you can see that it is 3% behind the entry-level Core i7. At the same time, the heat dissipation for Intel is 65 W, and for AMD it is 125 W. This indicates the better efficiency that Intel processors have. They hardly heat up and are more powerful at the same time. We can draw the following conclusion: if you need the highest performance, and the price does not bother you much, then it is better to take Intel. AMD's most powerful processor can be compared to the entry-level i7. Accordingly, the performance of the most powerful i7 will be much higher than that of AMD FX.

Prices

From all of the above, it is worth highlighting several points. Good processor It's expensive for a computer. The most budget options for Intel Celeron start at 2,000 rubles. At the same time, a video card core can be integrated into them.

For AMD, this is the beginning of the A series for 1,500 rubles. They also have a video chip. AMD Athlon and Phenom can be purchased even cheaper.

For an average computer Intel based Core i5 should cost 6,000-8,000 rubles. i3 processors will cost about 4,000 rubles.

AMD's mid-price A series processors will cost about 5,000 rubles. But their performance doesn't match the price. It’s better to take a medium one for the same price six core processor top FX series.

The top-end AMD FX will cost 8,000. It can easily handle a fairly wide range of tasks that you may encounter both at home and at work. If this is not enough for you and you need even greater performance, then the choice is obvious. In the top range, Intel has Core i7, the cost of which starts from 11,000 rubles and above.

Thus, Intel processors are significantly more expensive than AMD. This is felt most acutely when choosing the top-of-the-line i7.

Guitar processors

A guitar processor for a computer is needed for extensive customization of various special effects. It provides interaction between the guitar and the computer. It allows you to save created settings and effects in different “cabinets” for later activation at the touch of a button.

All dots over I

I think you understand how to choose a processor for a computer. The advantages of Intel processors are quite obvious. Of the main ones, it is worth noting low heat generation with high performance. U top Intel i7 it is 65W, compared to AMD, which has 125W, and this gap is colossal. Intel has moved away from using pins, while AMD continues to use them in its processors. The area of ​​the top cover of Intel is significantly smaller than that of AMD, which allows the cooler to be pressed more tightly, thus ensuring better cooling. The power consumption of the top-end i7 is so low that it allows the use of a 350 W power supply (if a high-performance video card is not used). Intel has also increased the reliability of their products. Special connectors have appeared on processors, to which quality control test equipment is connected at the factory.

Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting the high price. Another comparative disadvantage is that the company changes sockets quite often (even too often). Over the past few years, 1156, 1155, 1150, 2011 have been released. For the i7 family, they were divided into 2011 and 1150. What this is connected with is not yet clear, but it can cause trouble when upgrading a computer.

The disadvantages of AMD FX series processors are the old platform. AMD's packaging has not changed since 2001. This may be due to the fact that this company does not have its own production facilities. They order the production of processors from partner companies. The second disadvantage is low performance for eight cores of the top AMD FX. The third drawback is the large heat dissipation of 125 W. Moreover, the area of ​​the lid covering the core is larger on the FX than on the i3. Therefore, it is more difficult to press the cooler against it, thereby cooling the processor becomes worse. All these shortcomings make it obvious that the AMD FX series is a failure compared to Intel. The advantage is the price. It is significantly lower than the Intel i7. But from the entire FX line, it is recommended to take only the top model.

Thus, as promised, we have sorted everything out. You learned how to choose a processor for your computer. Now, guided by the information received, you will be able to make a meaningful and correct decision, which will always remain yours.

The heart of any computer is CPU, which is installed in it. Without it, the system unit will not work, as well as without many other components, but it is the CPU that determines the maximum power of the configuration assembled inside the computer case.

Choosing a processor for a computer is not an easy procedure that requires certain knowledge. For system units, there are thousands of different processors on sale, which differ from each other in manufacturer, power, connectors, and most importantly, price. The cost of processors starts from several thousand rubles and reaches hundreds of thousands for server solutions. Depending on the tasks assigned to the computer, you need to select the appropriate “stone”.

Please note: A weak processor can hinder the potential of other computer components, for example, a powerful video card.

Which processor is better to choose: AMD or Intel

The confrontation between the AMD and Intel camps has been going on for decades. These are the two largest and most famous processor developers. Every year, companies release new models of their “stones” to the market using modern technologies. It is impossible to say for sure who is better - AMD or Intel. In many ways, their processors are similar, but there are also fundamental differences between them.

Intel Core processors are chosen by users who plan to build a powerful gaming computer or a solution for performing heavy tasks - video editing, creating 3D graphics, and so on.

AMD processors are more suitable for users who need to perform tasks in multiple threads on one computer. That is, these are work computers, for the most part.

Please note: AMD has New episode processors - Ryzen, which was created specifically for games.

Depending on your budget and needs, you need to choose AMD or Intel as your processor. Typically, options from AMD are cheaper, with approximately comparable power.

Which processor socket to choose

The processor socket is the connector through which the “stone” . If you are building a computer from scratch, rather than purchasing a processor for a specific motherboard, you should consider which socket from those on sale is best to choose. Depending on the socket for the processor on the motherboard, it is necessary to select the processor itself.

In recent years, processor creators have been trying not to force the release of new socket standards to the market, since there are already dozens of them. You can divide sockets into three groups: legacy, legacy, and modern. Of course, it is better to purchase a motherboard with a modern socket, so that in a few years you will be able to install one of the new processors into it.

For AMD processors:

• Legacy sockets - AM1, AM2, AM3, FM1, FM2;
• Legacy sockets - AM3+, FM2+;
• Modern sockets - AM4, TR4.

For Intel processors:

• Legacy sockets - 478, 775, 1155, 1156, 2011;
• Legacy sockets - 1150, 2011-3;
• Modern sockets - 1151, 1151-v2, 2066.

Of all the options presented above, at the moment it makes sense to focus on sockets AM4, 1151, TR4 when choosing a processor. We can say that they will last on the market for the longest time.

How to choose a processor for a computer - main characteristics

The power of a processor is determined by its characteristics. When choosing a “stone,” we recommend focusing on the characteristics of processors given below, which can be called key.

Number of cores

You've probably heard that processors have one core, two, four, eight, and so on. Most often, the more cores, the more powerful the solution, but this is not a dogma. The number of cores should be based on what tasks the computer will solve:

Please note: Currently, not all programs are able to use the full potential of the processor. For example, if the application in which you constantly work on the computer is not capable of accepting more than 2 processor cores, there will be no benefit from purchasing an 8-core solution in terms of speed of interaction with this program.

CPU frequency

The most important characteristics of any processor is its frequency. The overall performance of a particular solution depends on it. Each core operates at the frequency specified in the processor specifications. That is, the higher the frequency of the cores, and the more of these cores, the more powerful the solution.

The processor frequency directly affects its cost. The higher it is, the more expensive the “stone”. If a computer is purchased to solve simple problems, a frequency of 2-3 GHz will be sufficient. For gaming solutions, “stones” with a frequency of 3.5 GHz are used, and for solving complex professional tasks, from 4 GHz.

Please note: If the computer requires power rather than multiple threads, it is better to choose solutions with a higher frequency than with a large number of cores.

Most modern powerful processes, in addition to the base frequency, have a frequency in Turbo mode Boost or Turbo Core. This is the frequency to which processor performance can rise under heavy load. The heavier the load, the higher the frequency.

For example, a processor has a base frequency of 3.5 GHz, and its maximum frequency is in Turbo Boost equal to 4 GHz. If one core is involved, and it accounts for high load, it can raise the frequency to 4 GHz. If there are two, then their frequency will be about 3.7-3.8 GHz. And so on. The more cores the current task uses, the closer the processor frequency is to the base frequency. But, if the task uses only one core, then maximum frequency with Turbo Boost or similar technology, it can rise to maximum values.

Number of threads

Above we discussed such a concept as the number of cores. But it's also important to tell you that each core can have multiple threads. The technology when one core can process multiple data streams is called Hyper-threading.

Hyperthreading solutions are presented on the market in AMD and Intel processors. Almost all modern processors are multi-threaded, but the number of threads in their cores can vary. For example, powerful modern AMD Ryzen processors can have 4, 8, or 16 threads. And given that they have 4, 6, 8 or more cores, such processors are capable of handling a huge number of tasks in parallel. That is why Ryzen solutions are recommended for video editing and similar complex tasks.

Important: In the gaming industry, developers began to reveal the potential of multi-threaded processors not so long ago, so it is not always a large number of threads in processor cores has a positive effect on the performance of the “stone” in games.

Cache memory

Processors have internal memory called cache memory. It is required to save information about the past operation to speed up the calculation speed of subsequent operations. Depending on the task, cache memory can have a major or minor impact on performance.

In this case, the processor cache memory can be of 4 levels:

• Level 1 cache. This is most often the small amount of memory that all processors have;
• Level 2 cache. You should pay attention to this when choosing a processor. Modern performance solutions start at 512 KB for one core. Everything below is low-performance solutions;
• Level 3 cache. It is not available on all processors. Typically, for average-performance processors, the 3rd level cache is 3-4 MB in size. U powerful computers this is 6-10 MB;
• Level 4 cache. Usually, it can only be found on productive solutions.

Important: If the processor has a 3rd or 4th level cache, then they neutralize the value of the 2nd level cache; you can ignore it.

Video core

Modern processors have a built-in video core. This is important, for example, if you are assembling an office computer in which you are not supposed to install a separate one. The presence of a video core in the processor allows you to display images on the monitor without an additional video card.

Important: If you are building a computer to solve productive problems, you can not pay attention to the video core in the central processor; power is much more important discrete video card.

The more expensive and modern processor, the more powerful the video core, as a rule, is. For example, at modern solutions Ryzen (G series) has an integrated Vega core. It allows you to run some not the most productive, but modern games.

Please note: If you are choosing a processor for a computer that does not have a video card, it is better to look at the texts of the video cores of specific solutions to understand their potential.

Supported RAM

The more modern the processor, the more RAM of various classes and frequencies it supports. There are 2 large processor camps:

• Old: support RAM no higher than DDR 3 class with a frequency from 1333 to 1866 MHz;
• Modern: support DDR 4 class RAM at various frequencies (2133, 2400, 2666, 3000 MHz).

Please note: Processors that support DDR 4 memory also support earlier memory types. At the same time, manufacturers of processors that are designed to work with DDR memory 4, it is not recommended to use an earlier type of memory. This is due to the fact that accelerated degradation of the memory controller may occur due to different voltages during operation.

Technical process

Every year the technical process in production electronic components is being improved. The energy consumption and quantity during operation of the device depend on the technical process. The smaller the technical process, the less the component heats up during operation; accordingly, its maximum loads may be higher.

The buyer does not need to know what technical process the computer processor. The manufacturer, focusing on the technical process, puts characteristics into the device, so you should look at them.

What is the difference between OEM and BOX processors?

When purchasing a processor, you may notice that some of them have the abbreviation OEM in their name, while others have the abbreviation BOX.

OEM processors are processors that are sold in a minimal plastic tray, very rarely in a small box.

BOX processors are packaged in a full-fledged branded box from the manufacturer. The BOX kit most often includes a cooler and . BOX versions of processors have a 3-year warranty, while OEM versions have about 1-2 years.

Important: If a cooler comes with a processor, this does not mean that it is capable of perfectly cooling it. Most often, this budget coolers, which do not sufficiently cool the “stone” under heavy, prolonged load. If you are purchasing an expensive, powerful processor that will work under heavy load, it is better to choose the OEM option, and then select and install a high-quality cooler on it.

Which processor to choose

You can find dozens of different processors for sale in any online store. Some of them may seem similar in characteristics, but they are in different series. Let's look at the currently popular series of processors.

Intel processors

Old series that are leaving the market:

• Celeron. Most often these are dual-core solutions designed for office computers;
• Pentium. One of the best selling series from Intel, which for a long time was heard. Nowadays, there are practically no new processors coming out, and the options that are available for sale are far from the most productive.

Modern Intel processor series:

• Core i3. Processors in the entry-level price segment for multimedia computers. 2-4 cores;
• Core i5. Processors in the mid-price segment, which are suitable for gaming computers that are not of the highest power. 4-6 cores;
• Core i7. Multi-core and multi-threaded processors for gaming computers or powerful office solutions. 4-10 cores;
• Core i9. Processors high class for powerful computers that need to work with heavy graphics or games. 12-18 cores;
• Pentium G. The surviving series of Intel Pentium processors, which can be suitable for office tasks or an entry-level multimedia computer.

AMD processors

Old and obsolete series:

• Sempron. An old budget solution that can be found in office computers;
• Athlon. An outdated gaming series of processors that was common in the early 2000s;
• Phenom. Solutions for multimedia computers running on 2-4 cores. With modern games and challenging tasks this series processors cannot cope;
• A4, A6, A8, A10. Processors for office computers. The higher the number in the name, the more powerful the solution. But such processors are not suitable for gaming computers;
• A series of processors for powerful office computers. Solutions up to 8 cores are presented.

Modern AMD processor series:

• Ryzen 3. 4-core solution for gaming computers in the entry-level price segment;
• Ryzen 5. A solution for powerful office computers (video editing, Photoshop), which does not perform well in games. Has from 4 to 6 cores;
• Ryzen 7. A solution for powerful gaming computers or other tasks that require multi-threading. Has from 4 to 8 cores;
• Ryzen Threadripper. Extremely powerful professional (usually server) solutions with up to 16 cores.

Please note: If the AMD processor series has an X at the end, this indicates that this solution has more high frequency than the usual variations of the “stones” of the series.

Good day and my respects, dear readers, visitors, passing individuals and... in general, everyone who reads these lines. Today we'll talk about which processor to choose and how to do it.

Many of us want to always have adequate computer hardware at hand. good quality and powerful power, and even at an affordable price.

However, despite our wishes, not everyone (I would even say only a few) are able to immediately name all the main criteria for choosing a particular computer component. And if they somehow cope with the video card, then when it comes to the brain of everything and everyone, namely the central processor, then this is where the absolute ambush begins.

Therefore, we once again (for, as many remember, there were already articles on choice, and much more) decided to lend a helping hand to everyone in need and talk about how to choose the right processor, namely, what you need to know, what to look for pay attention to what characteristics there are and all that stuff.

In general, today we are waiting for an article from the series: “I want to buy a processor, but I don’t know what to look for.. Can you tell me?”

In short, make yourself comfortable and... Let's go!

Which processor to choose - main characteristics

As I said, the article will be as practical as possible, so we won’t rant for a long time about what a CPU is and what it’s needed for, but let’s get straight to the point.

We have already touched upon the topic of processors in articles such as and , however, questions are constantly pouring in from readers, they say, give clear instructions on what and how to buy.

And since the project is, so to speak, social (we take into account the “wants” of visitors), without thinking twice we decided to cover this issue in as much detail as possible.

Note:
Very often we have to deal with a situation where users buy various sophisticated and expensive ones in the hope that everything will fly and run at once, but the processor is not given due attention, after which it slows down the entire system, because it simply cannot provide all the necessary agility and nimbleness to everyone other operating subsystems and components.

Therefore, knowledge of the basic parameters is necessary, first of all, in order to assess the realistically possible computing performance of the future system. It turns out that by focusing on the characteristics of the processor, you will be able to fully reveal the potential of all the components of your computer brother.

Actually, here's what you have to decide on when choosing a processor:

• Manufacturer's brand ( Intel or AMD);
• Technical production process;
• Marking and architecture;
• Platform CPU or connector type (socket);
• Clock frequency processor;
• Bit depth;
• Number of Cores;
• Multithreading;
• Cache memory;
• Power consumption and cooling;
• Branded bells and whistles of technology.

Was here large text, but I cut it out, because my, Sonikel’s, personal opinion still coincides with the article.

Technical process and how it is involved in the selection

Very often this parameter is simply forgotten, but performance sometimes depends on it. To make microcircuits and crystals CPU The photolithography method is used - applying conductors, insulators, etc. to a silicon substrate with special equipment, which form the processor core itself.

Depending on the resolution of this equipment, a certain type of technological process production. Most often it is indicated in nanometers: 130 nm, 90 nm, 45 nm, etc. What does the technical process influence and why is it important when choosing CPU?

Everything is very simple than smaller number, those smaller sizes structures that are placed on the substrate. All this leads to lower power consumption of processor cores, greater processing power, and a reduction in overall cost CPU.

Conclusion. Which processor should I choose based on this? The lower the number in the technological process index, the more high-performance and less expensive (in comparison with its older brothers) the processor chip turns out. However, one should not be too deluded, it will take a lot of time until the end consumer can feel this “cheapness” of the new technical process.

Labeling, architecture and name code

All manufactured processors have special markings that indicate their belonging to a specific family (architecture) and main characteristics.

Below we will take a closer look at some of the markings so that you can easily read them and understand all the information contained in them. To put it simply, architecture is a set of instructions and properties inherent not to one specific model, but to an entire family of microchips.

It defines the design features and organization of processors.

Architectures are almost always assigned a code name, i.e. code names that allow you to determine just by name what year a particular architecture was released and what characteristics are included in the models of this line.

Note:
For example, Intel has such architectures for Core 2 Duo(architecture Conroy): Lynnfield, Nehalem and so on. AMD: Piledriver, Bulldozzer, Trinity.

Conclusion. Which processor should I choose based on this? If you can touch the processor with your hands, pay attention to its markings on the front side. There you can find a lot of additional information not listed on the box.

Processor socket or socket type

The processor is installed in a special section on the socket or, as it is called, Socket(socket). Conventionally, we can say that this is the lifespan of your platform or the potential for possible development in the future. Socket number, i.e. its model (for example, Socket 775) must match the socket number on the motherboard, otherwise it will not be possible to install the processor on it.

Very often you can encounter a situation where people try to save money on the processor socket, i.e. They initially buy an obsolete processor and motherboard that have been in circulation for quite some time. This is bad because as soon as new standards appear and new type socket, then, most likely, new, more powerful processors will no longer be produced for the old one, i.e. You will be limited in the ability to upgrade your computer and if you want to improve it, you will have to change not only the processor, but also the motherboard.

Note:
The processor socket and motherboard socket must match, otherwise nothing will simply work.

However, not everything is always so critical, because, for example, AMD more flexible policy regarding this issue. The company makes it possible to carry out a painless upgrade for your wallet by supporting the compatibility of new platforms with old ones. Each manufacturer has its own types of sockets. The main ones of the new and conditionally new, say, for Intel are considered LGA 2011, LGA 1155, LGA 775 And LGA 1156, and the last two have practically “sunk into oblivion.” U AMD the most popular are connectors AM3, Socket AM3+ And Socket FM1.

The easiest way to distinguish a processor Intel from AMD- is to look at them and remember that the products are from AMD They always have a lot of contact pins on the back surface, with the help of which they are inserted into the motherboard connector. Intel for some time now, in turn, it has been using another solution - the contact pins are located inside the connector of the motherboard itself.

Conclusion. Which processor should I choose based on this? The CPU and motherboard socket must be the same or backward compatible.

CPU clock speed

The most well-known parameter for assessing processor performance is the number of operations/calculations performed per unit of time (measured in Hz). For example, if it is said that the processor has a clock speed equal to 3,4 GHz, this means that it processes in one second 3 billions 400 million clock cycles (operation execution interval).

Processors Intel And AMD have different frequencies, however, in general, “stones” (processors) often show the same performance. Many people believe that only the clock frequency clearly characterizes the power of the processor, and, therefore, the higher it is, the faster the computer and that’s it. However, this is not quite true. All components play an important role, for example, parameters such as RAM speed, data bus width, etc. Ideally, all computer components should work, so to speak, “in unison.”

Conclusion. Clock speed is an important performance parameter, but it is far from the only one, so you should not chase it alone.

Processor size

It is also one of the most important characteristics of processor performance and shows the number of bits processed by the processor per clock cycle.

Currently the highest bit rate CPU- 128 , however, such models are extremely rare in the consumer market, but 32 And 64 bats are the most popular.

Note:
The processor capacity must be supported by the OS, in particular, for example, it must be able to work with 128- bit CPU.

When purchasing, many users are confused about the bit depth markings. 32 - And 64- bit "stones", so here you should remember that the bit depth 86 there are no bits, because such markings (“x 86 ") are designated 32 - bit processors. If the bit depth 64 bits, then the processor is marked as, for example, AMD64 or x64.

In one of the articles, in particular this one, we talked about the difference between bit depths. In the very general case it should be remembered that 32 -bit architecture no longer supports 3,75 GB, so take this into account when upgrading your processor.

Conclusion. Which processor should I choose based on this? When purchasing, pay attention to the processor capacity, it is better to choose 64 -bit CPU.

Number of processor cores

A certain, very small number of years ago, such a thing as multi-core did not exist at all. Now, “everywhere you spit,” there are all multi-core processors. When choosing the number of cores, you should first of all proceed from specific tasks.

It is clear that the more cores, the better, but if you use a computer to solve office tasks such as working with documents, surfing the Internet and light multimedia tasks, then most likely a processor with more than two cores is a waste of money.

Conclusion. Which processor should I choose based on this? The “coreness” of processors is designed primarily to increase performance when working with specially optimized software, games and applications. Therefore, if you are a “full-time” user with minimal goals and objectives, then there is no point in overpaying for the number of cores. The best option would be: 2 kernels - for standard office PC(a kind of workhorse) and 4 and more cores - if you want to use your PC as a multimedia and game center.

Multithreading and the like

Many people often confuse the concepts of multi-threading and multi-core, but these are completely different things. Multithreading is the ability of a platform (OS, programs, applications) to work in several threads running in parallel. To unleash the full potential of multi-core processors, they need to work with multi-threaded applications. Such applications include: archivers, video encoders, defragmenters, browsers, flash etc.

From the OS, “lovers” of multithreading include: Windows 8, Windows 7 and various systems.

Conclusion. Which processor should I choose based on this? Multithreading depends on platform optimization by the developer. That's it now more games and applications adequately support this ability. However, it is not a fact that you should look for this parameter in the price lists for processors.

Cache memory and other tails

In addition to RAM, there is ultra-fast cache memory, with which the processor chip works, because it cannot wait for the RAM to “swing up” and perform the required operations.

Cache memory is an area of ​​the processor chip in which intermediate data between processor cores, RAM and other buses is processed and stored. In other words, it is an ultra-fast, volatile buffer that allows you to quickly access frequently used data.

The cache memory has a three-level organization (although some processors only have 2 ):

• L1– first level cache. The smallest (by volume, 16 -128 KB) and very fast, often operating at the frequency of the most CPU. Has high throughput And processor cores work with him directly.
• L2– slower, but more than L1 by volume.
• L3– the largest cache (from 6 before 16 MB).

In general, the main task of developers (regarding the cache) is to determine its optimal size for the processor being released. After all, performance gains in certain applications depend on this. Any cache memory is equipped with a protection system against possible errors ( ECC), upon detection of which the latter are automatically corrected.

Conclusion. Which processor should I choose based on this? If you are a passionate fan of good graphics, computer games and powerful video subsystems with two video cards, then choose a processor with a large amount of third-level cache memory ( 16 MB and above). In all other cases, a processor with almost any amount of ultra-fast memory will be sufficient.

Well, we're done with technical parameters, now let’s look at some, so to speak, tricks..

Power consumption and cooling

Of course, the development of processor production capacity could not but affect their energy consumption, which has increased significantly. If earlier it was possible to easily get by with a “complete” fan, now to remove heat you need special systems cooling (see image).

To estimate the heat release, the value was introduced TDP, which shows how much heat the cooling system should be designed to remove when used with a certain modelCPU. IN currently, development era portable devices(tablets, netbooks, etc.) the energy consumption parameter, due to the technical process, etc., was significantly reduced. For example, TDP processors for mobile computer solutions is only 40 W.

Information on choosing a cooling system for your processor was in the article "".

Conclusion. Which processor should I choose based on this? If you are a supporter of all kinds of laptops and similar portable devices, then TDP and you shouldn’t pay special attention to all sorts of fans there - everything is already calculated and installed for you. If you want to assemble a high-performance desktop system, then you need to take a serious “cooler”.

Built-in graphics core

With the development of the technological process for producing processors, it became possible to place various chips inside the CPU, in particular the graphics core.

This solution is convenient because you do not need to buy a separate video card. It is aimed mainly at the budget sector (office environment), where the graphic capabilities of the system are secondary. AMD integrates video chips into its computing processors Radeon HD, such a single element is called APU(accelerated processing element).

Conclusion. Which processor should I choose based on this? If your goal is a budget computer in which graphics do not play an important role (well, you don’t play powerful games, don't study 3D-design, etc., etc., but just watch movies, surf the internet, etc., etc.), then a hybrid processor with a built-in video core is just what the doctor ordered, cheap and cheerful, so to speak. If you need video power, then, of course, there is no point in spending money on a processor with a video core - better.

All sorts of proprietary technologies

Over such a long period of existence of processors, their manufacturers have acquired their own “bells and whistles” - additional functions, accelerating and expanding computing power CPU. For example, here are some of them.

From AMD:

• 3DNow!, SSE(instructions) – speeding up work in multimedia computing;
• AMD64- work with 64 -bit instructions, as well as with 32 -bit architectures;
• AMD Turbo Core- analogue Intel Turbo Boost;
• Cool'n'Quiet– reduced power consumption by reducing the multiplier and core voltage.

From Intel:

• Hyper Threading(hyperthreading) – creation of two virtual (logical) computing cores for each physical core;
• Intel Turbo Boost– increasing the CPU frequency depending on the load on the cores;
• Intel Virtualization Technology – run multiple operating systems simultaneously without loss of performance.

Conclusion. Which processor should I choose based on this? Of course, additional “goodies” in the form of proprietary technologies are not something you should base your choice of CPU on, but no one is stopping you from getting them for free as a pleasant bonus, the main thing is to decide what is needed.

So, the last thing for today is...

Processor marking

It is very important to be able to read and correctly interpret the processor markings, because stores are different, sellers are not always honest, but you have to pay extra N-thousands of rubles for an incomprehensible “stone” is hardly something anyone wants, and therefore it is important to be able to read the processor markings. Let's break it down into specific example, for example, for the manufacturer AMD.

In general, the markings from AMD(for generation Family 10h) can be represented in the following form(see image):

The decryption will be as follows:

Processor brand ( 1 ). The following characters are possible:

• A – AMD Athlon;
• H – AMD Phenom;
• S – AMD Sempron;
• O – AMD Optheron.

Processor purpose ( 2 ). Options:

• D – desktop– for workstations or desktop PCs;
• E – embedded server– for dedicated servers;
• S-server– for servers.

Processor model ( 3 ). Possible designations:

• E– energy efficient processors;
• X - locked multiplier;
• Z– unlocked multiplier.

Thermal package and cooling system class ( 4 ). The data is taken from the table (see image):

CPU case ( 5 ). The data is taken from the table (see image).

Number of Cores ( 6 ). Values ​​from 2 to C ( 12 ).

Cache memory size ( 7

Processor revision or stepping ( 8 ). Data from the table (see image).

So, based on the data in the table, you can easily determine what kind of processor we have in front of us, for example, judging by the model below (see image), we have it in front of us..

CPU AMD with markings HDZ560WFK2DGM, which means:

• H– CPU families AMD Phenom;
• D– purpose: workstations/desktop PCs;
• Z560– processor model number 560 (Z - with a free factor);
• W.F.– TDP before 95 W;
• K– the processor is packaged in a 938 pin OµPGA (Socket AM3) case;
• 2 – total number of active cores;
• D– L2 cache size 512 KB and L3 cache size 6144 KB;
• GM- C3 stepping processor core.

So, knowing the credentials of the tables, you can easily calculate what kind of instance is in front of you.

Actually, that's all I would like to tell you. I think that the information will be useful to you and will come in handy more than once.

Where is the best place to buy a processor?

• , - for those who are not afraid to buy abroad and save money. There are many, several popular brands, and in general a nice store where they stock regulars and so on;
• , - perhaps the best choice in terms of price-quality ratio SSD(and not only). The prices are quite reasonable, although the range is not always ideal in terms of variety. The key advantage is the guarantee that really allows for 14 days to change the product without any questions, and in case of warranty problems, the store will take your side and help solve any problems. The author of the site has been using it for years 10 at least (since the days when they were part of Ultra Electoronics), which is what he advises you to do;
• , - one of the oldest stores on the market, as the company exists somewhere around 20 years. Decent selection, average prices and one of the most convenient sites. Overall a pleasure to work with.

The choice, traditionally, is yours. Of course, there are all kinds Yandex Market"no one canceled it, but from good shops I would recommend these, and not some MVideo and others large networks(which are often not only expensive, but also detrimental in terms of quality of service, warranty, etc.).

Afterword

Today we found out in as much detail as possible which processor to choose and how to do it correctly, i.e. what you can pay attention to when purchasing it.

The information is quite specific and technical, perhaps difficult and unusual for some, so if you haven’t learned something, read it again, and then again, then open the price list and try to make several options for selecting processors for different needs.

Then reread again, then select again. In general, and so on in a circle until you get enough :)

We have fulfilled our good mission, which means it’s time to say goodbye for a while.
As always, if you have any questions, additions, thanks, etc., feel free to write comments.

P.S. Thanks to team member 25 KADR for the existence of this article

Hello everyone Let's talk about Intel hardware, or rather about which socket is best to build a computer on in 2016 or 2017, although now it is still 2016, I think that this information will easily be suitable for 2017. So I’ll write everything in simple words and these guys are exactly my opinion, my thoughts and all that

So now it’s 2016, the 775th socket is long gone, so we won’t talk about it, although guys, this socket still haunts fans..

So I’ll start with the 1366th socket, this is also an old socket, but it would be stupid not to write about it. The fact is that the 1366 socket was positioned as a solution for very powerful computers, so even today this socket runs many modern games. Socket 1366 supports a three-channel memory mode, there are i7 processors with 6 cores for this socket, but since they come with Hyper-Threading technology, that is, with threads, Windows sees such a percentage as 12-core. By the way, the processors are made using a 45 nm process technology. Even today, the 1366 socket is powerful, if you have a top-end i7, maximum Opera, a normal video card, then, as I already wrote, many games will run on such hardware. Speaking of opera, according to some sources, socket 1366 supports a maximum of 24 gigabytes of DDR3, according to other sources, 48 ​​gigabytes. But it seems that you can install 48 gigabytes on the X58 chipset. In general, this topic needs to be studied, I think that 48 gigs can still be installed, I myself have read some reviews and, so to speak, there is no smoke without fire... Well, you understand...

I also wanted to say about the 1366 socket that everything is cool there, well, I’m talking about six-core i7s, but the joke guys is that they will already lag behind in performance modern models. In short, I mean that a six-core i7 on a 1366 socket is an old processor and therefore it will be slower than modern four-core processors, not by much, but slower, and at the same time it will consume more energy..

By the way, the most powerful processor for 1366 socket, do you know which one? This is the i7 990X model, really cool, here is a screenshot of the CPU-Z program with this percentage:

But the 1366 socket has one more big plus: there are motherboards on this socket that support working with two processors at once. That is, as I wrote, such power is hardly needed by an ordinary user. Here is an example of a motherboard on which you can install two processors:

By the way, this is the ASUS Z8PE D12X model

And I’ll write something else to you, so if you suddenly look for a motherboard for socket 1366, then be careful! The funny thing is that there are new motherboards for 1366 socket, some are new, but they are NONEAME, and this name is CHINESE. I strongly do not recommend such motherboards!

So what else do we have there? There is a 1155 socket, I don’t have much to say here, because it is almost the same as the 1150 socket, but less productive. This socket is newer than 1366, but I still don’t recommend it, because it’s already outdated hardware, not today, not tomorrow... The 1155 socket supports 32 gigs of DDR3 opera, quad-core i7s that come with threads. But again, in principle you can buy it if it’s at a good price, but once again, the 1155 socket will be about 20 percent slower than the 1150 socket, well, about that much

Here are the processors on the 1155th socket, I don’t know if this is the whole list, but there are definitely some popular ones here (those with the letter K are overclockable):

Let's move on, now we have 1150 socket. Well, what can I say, in principle this is a modern socket, but I don’t recommend it either and I’ll write why. This means that the 1150 socket is the same 32 gigabytes of DDR3, the same quad-core processors, but if on the 1155th socket they are made using a 32 nm process technology, then on the 1150th socket it is already 22 nm, this is a plus (the processors are a little faster and cooler) . In general, everything is fine with this socket, it is almost the same as the 1155, but a little faster.

But why don’t I recommend taking even the 1150 socket, although it seems to be modern? And because 1151 sockets have already been released, here it is, this is exactly what I advise you to take both in 2016, although it is already ending, and in the beginning of 2017. 1151 sockets have the same price as 1150, but are more powerful, there is a newer generation of processors and DDR4 support, in general there are serious advantages, and the price is the same. In general, I still consider the 1151 socket platform to be the best in terms of price and performance, believe me, it’s true. DDR4 support will allow you to build up a really large amount of RAM over time; you can cram all 64 gigs, versus 32 gigs on the 1150 socket. Yes, and top models of processors on 1151 socket, this is really cool guys, because it’s very powerful

Look, these are just cool processors on socket 1151, just a note for you, look:

Why are they suddenly cool? But because they are on the coolest Kaby Lake core!!!

In principle, this is all that can be considered. There are also platforms 2011/2011-3, as I understand it, this is a continuation of socket 1366 and ordinary users are unlikely to need these platforms, they are very expensive and very powerful. For games this is super powerful, it’s simply not needed, believe me. And the prices there are simply outrageous...

So, what else is there on the sockets? Well, there is also socket 775, which I mentioned at the beginning. I think you are familiar with him, but maybe you don’t. In short, guys, this is an old socket. Yes, it’s really old, but is it worth burying it? I think it’s not worth it, everything happens in life and if you want to know what the 775th socket is capable of in 2017, then I will answer you, it is not capable of anything. And it will be a joke of course! The 775 socket is good in the sense that it’s not so dead, you can take a Q9650, overclock it, install a standard video card, 16 gigs of opera, and in principle I think you can play something...

There's another thing here, it's the price. A kit for used top-end hardware on the 775 socket will not cost that little guys. If you throw in a couple more tens of bucks, you can get the newest budget hardware on socket 1151, yes it will be budget, but the prospect of an upgrade is great. And don’t forget that between the 775th socket and the 1151st socket the difference is like an abyss, that is, very big. There, on socket 1151, the Pentium may already be even faster than the stock Q9650, I mean this seriously, after all, technology does not stand still.

So, shall we draw a conclusion? I think we will. The best socket for 2016/2017 is definitely the 1151st, both in terms of price and performance. Believe me that this is so, although you will probably still check this information, but I’ll tell you this, I won’t lie to you. You can take 1150, but 1151 is still better. Socket 1366 is for amateurs who want power and not have it cost too much, although finding motherboards on the 1366 socket is not entirely simple task. The 775th socket is even more for amateurs; it’s already difficult to squeeze anything out there even taking into account the overclocking of the Q9650. But for an office computer, the Q9650 will still be enough for a long time. The 1155 socket is also sufficient for an office, even if there is some kind of tree stump standing there.

I completely forgot, there is also socket 1156, but this is generally a rare beast, I don’t know why. It’s older than 1155, and it’s clear that I don’t recommend it either. But it was on it that there was such a frame as a dual-core i5, which had 2 cores and 4 threads, by the way this is the i5 661 model, and maybe there were other models, I don’t know for sure, but on socket 1155 and the following sockets there is no such confusion anymore

In general, these are the things guys, it’s best to take 1151 socket, we’ll finish here, it seems that everything that is needed is what I wrote. And if I didn’t write something, then you’ll have to forgive me. Good luck to you and may everything go well for you

The question of which processor is better for games has been raised since the very time when games generally began to appear on personal computers.

Today it has not lost its relevance.

Therefore, it would be useful to understand what characteristics can make a particular processor truly the best for gaming computers.

And also which model can be called the best in terms of all these characteristics in 2017.

Let’s say right away that we will not choose the model that costs the most and has all the characteristics at the maximum.

Instead, we will select a model that will 100% support absolutely all modern games.

The reason for this is that today there is simply no need for too high specifications and processors with high parameters are simple means PR for various companies.

In principle, we can state the fact that the most powerful processor today is the Intel Core i7-5960X, but it makes no sense to buy it.

The fact is that so far not a single program or game needs its power.

In addition, it is only 9 times more powerful than one of the weakest AMD A4-4000 processors, and is 43 times more expensive ($1300)!

You can buy it purely out of sporting interest. And this is a clear example of what we talked about above - the processor is powerful, but who needs it?

Therefore, it is better to choose a processor that is ideal for a gamer and that can be bought for a “human” amount.

You should also be interested in the following articles:

• Which video card is best for gaming - Selection based on main parameters

Parameter No. 1. Number of Cores

As you know, the processor core is the part where the calculations take place. But the definition of “number of processor cores” is not entirely correct, from a technical point of view.

A quad-core processor is essentially four separate processors located on one board.

Only the task that arrives at the device is divided into all four parts.

It is logical that the more “cores”, the better, because the faster the device will work.

Last year, a study was conducted that clearly showed that processor power in games is directly related to the number of cores.

For the study, the game GTA 5 was taken and launched on two, four, six and eight cores.

The graphs show the number of frames per second (fps).

But the same study of the game “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” gave absolutely unexpected result– there, a higher number of fps was recorded when four and six cores were running.

Interestingly, most experts agree on optimal quantity cores.

They say that all modern games run smoothly on a quad-core processor.

Yes, there will be more in the future heavy games, but choosing a six-core processor still doesn’t make much sense.

After all, for the same GTA 5, two cores are enough. What kind of game should be released that doesn’t need 4 cores?

Today it is difficult to imagine such a thing. Hence the first selection criterion.

Criterion #1: The minimum number of cores is 4.

Parameter No. 2. Frequency

This characteristic determines how many operations per second the device can process. It is logical that the higher the frequency, the better.

Last year, the game Metro: Last Light was tested at different frequencies of the same processor.

The number of frames per second was measured, but at different screen resolutions. What happened in the end can be seen in the figure.

Considering this characteristic, it should be said that today there is no point in buying processors with a frequency of less than 2.4 GHz.

The fact is that they will not be able to properly process all the information from games and programs that require significant computing resources.

At the same time, when choosing the optimal number of GHz, it is worth taking into account the notorious marketing factor, which is that manufacturers simply make processors with too high a frequency, which makes no sense today.

The fact is that the heaviest games run smoothly at 2.5 GHz.

But it is also worth considering that we want to use the computer for a long time and not change the processor.

And over time, when too much information accumulates on the computer, even powerful processor it becomes more difficult to process.

This does not happen because the frequency and, accordingly, the power drop, but simply because the load increases.

Therefore, it is better to buy a processor with a margin of 4 GHz.

Even after five years of use, such a device will easily run the heaviest games, despite the fact that terabytes of information will be stored on the hard drive.

Hence the second criterion.

Criterion #2: Minimum frequency– 4 GHz.

Another argument in favor of this criterion is the rating of processors compiled by the site cpubenchmark.net, whose specialists determine which model has the highest performance (classic Benchmark).

As you can see, the first place here is generally occupied by the 2.3 GHz model.

Parameter No. 3. Architecture

Without going into too much detail, we’ll say that Intel’s best architectures are Haswell, Broadwell and Skylake, and AMD’s are Steamroller.

They have been released in the last three years and are leaders in all ratings of audience sympathy and expert opinions.

Positive Feedback most of all they have it.

As for which one is the best, another study helps determine this, in which processors with different architectures were tested on computers with one video card and fps was measured in the game GTA 5.

The result can be seen in the figure.

As you can see, the indicators are not very different, but the Broadwell and Skylake architectures perform best. And Haswell, Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge, which most gamers use today, are far behind the leading positions.

However, the study was conducted only for Intel devices. But AMD's Steamroller will also show good results. Hence the next criterion.

Criterion #3: Architecture – Broadwell, Skylake for Intel and Steamroller for AMD.