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Questions tagged [cpu]

The part of a computer responsible for performing computations, often referred to as a processor.

44 votes
5 answers
18k views

Why are newer generations of processors faster at the same clock speed?

Why, for example, would a 2.66 GHz dual-core Core i5 be faster than a 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo, which is also dual-core? Is this because of newer instructions that can process information in fewer clock ...
agz's user avatar
  • 8,328
35 votes
5 answers
61k views

Any way to tell apart a CPU defect from a mainboard defect?

I have a fairly modern desktop computer, an AMD Athlon II X2 based silent PC, that does not work. When turned on, it will start physically (all fans are rotating, disks start up...) but not give a ...
Pekka's user avatar
  • 2,419
18 votes
6 answers
67k views

How does Motherboard and CPU affect RAM choice?

I am seeking advice on which memory to use with my motherboard and CPU. Below are my components and some relevant information extracted from their official websites. NOTE: Although this is a very ...
Håvard Geithus's user avatar
6 votes
6 answers
57k views

Very high CPU usage for Windows Audio service

I'm using a Dell XPS 13 (3960) laptop, with Windows 10 operating system. Recently, after I was hearing loud laptop fans noises even when no high resouce programs running, I decided to check, and ...
argamanza's user avatar
  • 183
99 votes
11 answers
282k views

Are there solutions that can limit the CPU usage of a process?

I am using an old laptop and doing heavy processing that needs high CPU usage for a long time (~30mins - 2hours). When the process puts heavy load on CPU for a long time, CPU overheats and computer ...
nimcap's user avatar
  • 1,676
52 votes
1 answer
258k views

What happens if I use RAM of a faster speed than the CPU supports?

Looking at the Intel E3-1230v2 CPU, under Memory types it says "DDR3-1333/1600". My question is, in what way does the CPU limit the RAM speed? What would happen if I put in a DDR3-2133 RAM chip ...
Claudiu's user avatar
  • 1,776
21 votes
1 answer
63k views

How does windows "limit" the CPU (Power Options / Battery saving)

Can anyone explain how Windows effectively limits the CPU? Last time I tried some tricks to let my laptop not overheat, so I tried limiting the CPU to 70%. As for my suprise it stopped my laptop ...
user avatar
16 votes
5 answers
31k views

Is a higher core count or higher clock speed more beneficial to a computer's performance? [closed]

With lowering silicon costs and rising consumer needs, manufacturers seem to be pushing one of two things: clock speed and/or core count. With the way things are going, it doesn't seem that clock ...
Breakthrough's user avatar
  • 34.6k
187 votes
15 answers
56k views

Is the performance of a CPU affected as it ages? [closed]

This is a hypothetical question about how a CPU operates. If I purchase two identical CPUs, and use one long term (say one year), will it be identical in speed to the unused CPU? Will the number of ...
69 votes
12 answers
182k views

CPU Cores: The more the better?

I currently have a dual-core processor at work and a quad-core at home. I've noticed both PCs are pretty equal as far as launching applications/surfing the web. The difference I can see is that my ...
29 votes
3 answers
158k views

What are threads, and what do they do in the processor?

I was looking at the stats for the Intel Pentium e5700 CPU. It has two cores and two threads. What do the threads do for the processor? Is there any relation between the number of cores and the ...
impossible3's user avatar
15 votes
9 answers
20k views

How to tell if a Windows computer has a 64-bit CPU or OS

How you can check if your Windows computer Has an x86 (32-bit) or x86-64 (64-bit) processor? Is running a 32 bit or 64 bit operating system?
tintincutes's user avatar
  • 1,237
48 votes
3 answers
36k views

What is the difference between hyper-threading and multiple cores?

In a conversation with the network administator, I mentioned that my machine was a dual-core. He told me it was not. I brought up the task manager, went to the perfomance tab, and showed him that ...
Josh Stodola's user avatar
27 votes
4 answers
172k views

Can a 32 bit OS run in a 64 bit processor?

What's the difference between 32 bit OS and 64 bit OS? Can a 32 bit OS run in a 64 bit processor?
user avatar
16 votes
8 answers
48k views

Infamous 0.39 GHz in Windows 10 issue has no fixes?

There is this quite annoying bug, which is probably related to Windows 10, which makes mobile CPUs clock down to 0.39 GHz/399 MHz. Just searching on Google for "0.39 GHz". There are so many ...
MortenMoulder's user avatar

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