WHAT IS A CPU?

WHAT IS A CPU?

When we talk about CPUs, be it in desktops or laptops, we start off
with its specifications. Things like how many cores and threads a
processor has or what is the clock speed? However, have you ever
wondered what exactly do these specifications translate into? Let's
take the example of the Intel Core i7-8750H processor and break
things down.
Intel Hyperthreading
This new 8th gen 8750H processor is a powerhouse and features 6
cores and 12 threads. This means it has 6 physical processing cores
which are fed in data to process, by 12 threads or otherwise known
as logical cores. To be more accurate, each physical core is fed in
information to process by two lanes of data concurrently, without
interrupting other process's workflow. This is done since
the physical processor (core) can process more than one set of data at one time. Moreover, refinements
in the technology has increased the performance of current gen CPUs by almost 2X. Intel calls this is
Hyperthreading and this technology is available in most of Intel’s 8th processor lineup, both on desktops
and laptops. AMD also has something similar but it calls it SMT or Simultaneous multi-threading. The
workings of which are slightly different.
Clock Speeds
Today, quad-core processors have become mainstream and almost all software and games can use the
available processing power. This processing power is also specified by clock speeds, which are currently
defined in GHz aka Gigahertz. This is the number of clock cycles—effectively, calculations—a processor
completes in one second, in billions. The base clock speed - in the case of the of the Intel Core i7 8750H
is 2.2GHz and the boost clock is 4.10GHz. This means that the 8750H can perform 2.2 billion
calculations (approximately) in one second and that too per core. Hence, each of the six physical cores
is capable of maintaining a 2.2GHz clock speed at ideal or basic loads. The boost clock number in these
specifications are generally represented as the max speed, but it can only be achieved by one of the six
cores. So, if you’re running a program that only uses a single processor, then you’ll get that full boost.
But if you’re using all available cores (six, in the case of the 8750H), they don’t all boost to that
maximum speed. One core would hit 4.10GHz, but other five might only go up to 4.0 GHz when Turbo
Boost is activated. (This also depends on your motherboard, and high end/enthusiast desktop
motherboards will allow these numbers to go higher than low-end ones. However, that is something we
are not talking about today)
Heating issue
The only problem in achieving more speed (GHz) is heat. All these processors, Intel and even AMD ones
for that matter have an upper limit to how much heat they can work in without frying themselves. The
rule of thumb is, the higher the performance, more heat the CPU generates. Over the years both Intel
and AMD have refined their processors to be efficient but there is one other drawback.
So, if a CPU keeps at it for a longer period of time, it will eventually drop performance to maintain
internal stable temperatures at which it can work properly. This is where things like ASUS AAS,
Overboost tech, 12V fans and the specially designed cooling components in an ASUS laptop come into
play. These technologies have been derived from much research and allow gaming laptops to perform
at their best for longer periods. Moreover, features like ADC does not let the heat fins clog themselves
with grime and dirt which is one of the main reasons in the performance drop some other gaming
laptops see within a year.

CPU is also
known as the
Central
Processing Unit
────
1GHz means, 1
billion
computations a
second
────
Higher the
performance,
higher the heat
generated
────
Boost clock
speeds allows the
CPU to ramp up
performance as
and when
required.