Which companies produce processors? The world has a fourth manufacturer of x86 processors for PCs

Useful tips

- This is the main computing component on which the speed of the entire computer greatly depends. Therefore, usually, when selecting a computer configuration, first select the processor, and then everything else.

For simple tasks

If the computer will be used for working with documents and the Internet, then an inexpensive processor with a built-in video core Pentium G5400/5500/5600 (2 cores / 4 threads), which differ only slightly in frequency, will suit you.

For video editing

For video editing, it is better to take a modern multi-threaded AMD Ryzen 5/7 processor (6-8 cores / 12-16 threads), which, in tandem with a good video card, will also cope well with games.
AMD Ryzen 5 2600 Processor

For an average gaming PC

For a purely mid-class gaming computer, it is better to take the Core i3-8100/8300; they have honest 4 cores and perform well in games with mid-class video cards (GTX 1050/1060/1070).
Intel Core i3 8100 processor

For a powerful gaming computer

For a powerful gaming computer, it is better to take a 6-core Core i5-8400/8500/8600, and for a PC with a top-end graphics card i7-8700 (6 cores / 12 threads). These processors show the best results in games and are capable of fully unleashing powerful video cards (GTX 1080/2080).
Intel Core i5 8400 processor

In any case, the more cores and the higher the processor frequency, the better. Focus on your financial capabilities.

2. How the processor works

The central processing unit consists of a printed circuit board containing a silicon chip and various electronic components. The crystal is covered with a special metal cover, which prevents damage and serves as a heat distributor.

On the other side of the board are the legs (or pads) that connect the processor to the motherboard.

3. Processor manufacturers

Computer processors are produced by two large companies - Intel and AMD at several high-tech factories in the world. Therefore, the processor, regardless of manufacturer, is the most reliable component of a computer.

Intel is a leader in developing technologies used in modern processors. AMD partially adopts their experience, adding something of its own and pursuing a more affordable pricing policy.

4. How do Intel and AMD processors differ?

Intel and AMD processors differ mainly in architecture (electronic circuitry). Some are better at some tasks, some at others.

Intel Core processors generally have higher performance per core, making them superior to AMD Ryzen processors in most modern games and better suited for building powerful gaming computers.

AMD Ryzen processors, in turn, win in multi-threaded tasks such as video editing, are, in principle, not much inferior to Intel Core in games and are perfect for a universal computer used for both professional tasks and games.

To be fair, it is worth noting that the old inexpensive AMD FX-8xxx series processors, which have 8 physical cores, do a good job of video editing and can be used as a budget option for these purposes. But they are less suitable for gaming and are installed on motherboards with outdated AM3+ socket, which will make it difficult to replace components in the future to improve or repair the computer. So it is better to purchase a more modern AMD Ryzen processor and a corresponding motherboard on the AM4 socket.

If your budget is limited, but in the future you want to have a powerful PC, then you can first purchase an inexpensive model, and after 2-3 years change the processor to a more powerful one.

5. CPU socket

Socket is a connector for connecting the processor to the motherboard. Processor sockets are marked either by the number of processor legs, or by a numerical and alphabetic designation at the discretion of the manufacturer.

Processor sockets are constantly undergoing changes and new modifications appear from year to year. The general recommendation is to purchase a processor with the most modern socket. This will ensure that both the processor and motherboard can be replaced in the next few years.

Intel processor sockets

Completely obsolete: 478, 775, 1155, 1156, 1150, 2011
Obsolete: 1151, 2011-3
Modern: 1151-v2, 2066

AMD processor sockets

Obsolete: AM1, AM2, AM3, FM1, FM2
Obsolete: AM3+, FM2+
Modern: AM4, TR4

The processor and motherboard must have the same sockets, otherwise the processor simply will not install. Today, the most relevant processors are those with the following sockets.

Intel 1150- they are still on sale, but in the next few years they will go out of use and replacing the processor or motherboard will become more problematic. They have a wide range of models - from the most inexpensive to quite powerful.

Intel 1151- modern processors, which are no longer much more expensive, but much more promising. They have a wide range of models - from the most inexpensive to quite powerful.

Intel 1151-v2- the second version of socket 1151, differs from the previous one by supporting the most modern 8th and 9th generation processors.

Intel 2011-3— powerful 6/8/10-core processors for professional PCs.

Intel 2066- top-end, most powerful and expensive 12/16/18-core processors for professional PCs.

AMD FM2+— processors with integrated graphics for office tasks and the simplest games. The model range includes both very budget and mid-class processors.

AMD AM3+— aging 4/6/8-core processors (FX), older versions of which can be used for video editing.

AMD AM4— modern multi-threaded processors for professional tasks and games.

AMD TR4— top-end, most powerful and expensive 8/12/16-core processors for professional PCs.

It is not advisable to consider purchasing a computer with older sockets. In general, I would recommend limiting the choice to processors on sockets 1151 and AM4, since they are the most modern and allow you to build a fairly powerful computer for any budget.

6. Main characteristics of processors

All processors, regardless of manufacturer, differ in the number of cores, threads, frequency, cache memory size, frequency of supported RAM, the presence of a built-in video core and some other parameters.

6.1. Number of Cores

The number of cores has the greatest impact on processor performance. An office or multimedia computer requires at least a 2-core processor. If the computer is intended to be used for modern games, then it needs a processor with at least 4 cores. A processor with 6-8 cores is suitable for video editing and heavy professional applications. The most powerful processors can have 10-18 cores, but they are very expensive and are designed for complex professional tasks.

6.2. Number of threads

Hyper-threading technology allows each processor core to process 2 data streams, which significantly increases performance. Multi-threaded processors include Intel Core i7, i9, some Core i3 and Pentium (G4560, G46xx), as well as most AMD Ryzen.

A processor with 2 cores and support for Hyper-treading is close in performance to a 4-core processor, while a processor with 4 cores and Hyper-treading is close to an 8-core processor. For example, the Core i3-6100 (2 cores / 4 threads) is twice as powerful as a 2-core Pentium without Hyper-threading, but still somewhat weaker than an honest 4-core Core i5. But Core i5 processors do not support Hyper-threading, so they are significantly inferior to Core i7 processors (4 cores / 8 threads).

Ryzen 5 and 7 processors have 4/6/8 cores and, respectively, 8/12/16 threads, which makes them kings in tasks such as video editing. The new Ryzen Threadripper processor family features processors with up to 16 cores and 32 threads. But there are lower-end processors from the Ryzen 3 series that are not multi-threaded.

Modern games have also learned to use multi-threading, so for a powerful gaming PC it is advisable to take a Core i7 (8-12 threads) or Ryzen (8-12 threads). Also a good choice in terms of price/performance ratio would be the new 6-core Core-i5 processors.

6.3. CPU frequency

The performance of a processor also greatly depends on its frequency, at which all processor cores operate.

In principle, a processor with a frequency of about 2 GHz is enough for a simple computer to type text and access the Internet. But there are many processors around 3 GHz that cost about the same, so saving money here isn't worth it.

A mid-range multimedia or gaming computer will need a processor with a frequency of about 3.5 GHz.

A powerful gaming or professional computer requires a processor with a frequency closer to 4 GHz.

In any case, the higher the processor frequency, the better, but then look at your financial capabilities.

6.4. Turbo Boost and Turbo Core

Modern processors have the concept of a base frequency, which is indicated in the specifications simply as the processor frequency. We talked about this frequency above.

Intel Core i5, i7, i9 processors also have the concept of maximum frequency in Turbo Boost. This is a technology that automatically increases the frequency of processor cores under heavy load to increase performance. The fewer cores a program or game uses, the more its frequency increases.

For example, the Core i5-2500 processor has a base frequency of 3.3 GHz and a maximum Turbo Boost frequency of 3.7 GHz. Under load, depending on the number of cores used, the frequency will increase to the following values:

4 active cores - 3.4 GHz
3 active cores - 3.5 GHz
2 active cores - 3.6 GHz
1 active core – 3.7 GHz

AMD A-series, FX, and Ryzen processors have a similar automatic CPU overclocking technology called Turbo Core. For example, the FX-8150 processor has a base frequency of 3.6 GHz and a maximum Turbo Core frequency of 4.2 GHz.

In order for Turbo Boost and Turbo Core technologies to work, the processor must have enough power and not overheat. Otherwise, the processor will not increase the core frequency. This means the power supply, motherboard and cooler must be powerful enough. Also, the operation of these technologies should not be hampered by the motherboard BIOS settings and power settings in Windows.

Modern programs and games use all processor cores and the performance increase from Turbo Boost and Turbo Core technologies will be small. Therefore, when choosing a processor, it is better to focus on the base frequency.

6.5. Cache memory

Cache memory is the internal memory of the processor that it needs to perform calculations faster. Cache memory size also affects processor performance, but to a much lesser extent than the number of cores and processor frequency. In different programs, this impact can vary in the range of 5-15%. But processors with a large amount of cache memory are much more expensive (1.5-2 times). Therefore, such an acquisition is not always economically feasible.

Cache memory comes in 4 levels:

Level 1 cache is small and is usually not taken into account when choosing a processor.

The Level 2 cache is the most important. In low-end processors, 256 kilobytes (KB) of Level 2 cache per core is typical. Processors designed for mid-range computers have 512 KB of L2 cache per core. Processors for powerful professional and gaming computers must be equipped with at least 1 megabyte (MB) of Level 2 cache per core.

Not all processors have Level 3 cache. The weakest processors for office tasks may have up to 2 MB of Level 3 cache, or none at all. Processors for modern home multimedia computers should have 3-4 MB of Level 3 cache. Powerful processors for professional and gaming computers should have 6-8 MB of Level 3 cache.

Only some processors have a level 4 cache, and if they have it, it’s good, but in principle it’s not necessary.

If the processor has a level 3 or 4 cache, then the size of the level 2 cache can be ignored.

6.6. Type and frequency of supported RAM

Different processors may support different types and frequencies of RAM. This must be taken into account in the future when choosing a RAM.

Legacy processors may support DDR3 RAM with a maximum frequency of 1333, 1600 or 1866 MHz.

Modern processors support DDR4 memory with a maximum frequency of 2133, 2400, 2666 MHz or more, and often for compatibility DDR3L memory, which differs from regular DDR3 in reduced voltage from 1.5 to 1.35 V. Such processors can also work with regular DDR3 memory, if you have it already exists, but processor manufacturers do not recommend this due to increased degradation of memory controllers designed for DDR4 with an even lower voltage of 1.2 V. In addition, old memory also requires an old motherboard with DDR3 slots. So the best option is to sell the old DDR3 memory and upgrade to the new DDR4.

Today, the most optimal price/performance ratio is DDR4 memory with a frequency of 2400 MHz, which is supported by all modern processors. Sometimes you can buy memory with a frequency of 2666 MHz for not much more. Well, memory at 3000 MHz will cost much more. In addition, processors do not always work stably with high-frequency memory.

You also need to consider what maximum memory frequency the motherboard supports. But memory frequency has a relatively small impact on overall performance and it’s not really worth pursuing.

Often, users who are beginning to understand computer components have a question about the availability of memory modules on sale with a much higher frequency than the processor officially supports (2666-3600 MHz). To operate memory at this frequency, the motherboard must have support for XMP (Extreme Memory Profile) technology. XMP automatically increases the bus frequency to allow the memory to run at a higher frequency.

6.7. Built-in video core

The processor may have a built-in video core, which allows you to save on purchasing a separate video card for an office or multimedia PC (watching videos, simple games). But for a gaming computer and video editing you need a separate (discrete) video card.

The more expensive the processor, the more powerful the built-in video core. Among Intel processors, the Core i7 has the most powerful integrated video, followed by i5, i3, Pentium G and Celeron G.

AMD A-series processors on socket FM2+ have a more powerful integrated video core than Intel processors. The most powerful is the A10, then the A8, A6 and A4.

FX processors on the AM3+ socket do not have a built-in video core and were previously used to build inexpensive gaming PCs with a discrete mid-class video card.

Also, most AMD processors of the Athlon and Phenom series do not have a built-in video core, and those that have it are on the very old AM1 socket.

Ryzen processors with the G index have a built-in Vega video core, which is twice as powerful as the video core of previous generation processors from the A8, A10 series.

If you are not going to buy a discrete graphics card, but still want to play undemanding games from time to time, then it is better to give preference to Ryzen G processors. But do not expect that the integrated graphics will handle demanding modern games. The maximum it is capable of is online games and some well-optimized games at low or medium graphics settings in HD resolution (1280x720), in some cases Full HD (1920x1080). Watch tests of the processor you need on Youtube and see if it suits you.

7. Other processor characteristics

Processors are also characterized by such parameters as manufacturing process, power consumption and heat dissipation.

7.1. Manufacturing process

The technical process is the technology by which processors are produced. The more modern the equipment and production technology, the finer the technical process. Its power consumption and heat dissipation greatly depend on the technological process by which the processor is manufactured. The thinner the technical process, the more economical and cooler the processor will be.

Modern processors are manufactured using process technologies ranging from 10 to 45 nanometers (nm). The lower this value, the better. But first of all, focus on power consumption and the associated heat dissipation of the processor, which will be discussed further.

7.2. CPU power consumption

The greater the number of cores and frequency of the processor, the greater its power consumption. Energy consumption also greatly depends on the manufacturing process. The thinner the technical process, the lower the energy consumption. The main thing to consider is that a powerful processor cannot be installed on a weak motherboard and will require a more powerful power supply.

Modern processors consume from 25 to 220 watts. This parameter can be read on their packaging or on the manufacturer’s website. The parameters of the motherboard also indicate what processor power consumption it is designed for.

7.3. CPU heat dissipation

The heat dissipation of a processor is considered to be equal to its maximum power consumption. It is also measured in Watts and is called the Thermal Design Power (TDP). Modern processors have a TDP in the range of 25-220 Watts. Try to choose a processor with a lower TDP. The optimal TDP range is 45-95 W.

8. How to find out processor characteristics

All main characteristics of the processor, such as the number of cores, frequency and cache memory are usually indicated in sellers’ price lists.

All parameters of a particular processor can be clarified on the official websites of manufacturers (Intel and AMD):

By model number or serial number it is very easy to find all the characteristics of any processor on the website:

Or simply enter the model number in the Google or Yandex search engine (for example, “Ryzen 7 1800X”).

9. Processor models

Processor models change every year, so I won’t list them all here, but will only list series (lines) of processors that change less frequently and that you can easily navigate through.

I recommend purchasing processors of more modern series, as they are more productive and support new technologies. The higher the processor frequency, the higher the model number that comes after the series name.

9.1. Intel processor lines

Old episodes:

Celeron – for office tasks (2 cores)
Pentium – for entry-level multimedia and gaming PCs (2 cores)

Modern series:

Celeron G – for office tasks (2 cores)
Pentium G – for entry-level multimedia and gaming PCs (2 cores)
Core i3 – for entry-level multimedia and gaming PCs (2-4 cores)
Core i5 – for mid-range gaming PCs (4-6 cores)
Core i7 – for powerful gaming and professional PCs (4-10 cores)
Core i9 – for ultra-powerful professional PCs (12-18 cores)

All Core i7, i9, some Core i3 and Pentium processors support Hyper-threading technology, which significantly increases performance.

9.2. AMD processor lines

Old episodes:

Sempron – for office tasks (2 cores)
Athlon – for entry-level multimedia and gaming PCs (2 cores)
Phenom – for mid-class multimedia and gaming PCs (2-4 cores)

Obsolete series:

A4, A6 – for office tasks (2 cores)
A8, A10 – for office tasks and simple games (4 cores)
FX – for video editing and not very heavy games (4-8 cores)

Modern series:

Ryzen 3 – for entry-level multimedia and gaming PCs (4 cores)
Ryzen 5 – for video editing and mid-range gaming PCs (4-6 cores)
Ryzen 7 – for powerful gaming and professional PCs (4-8 cores)
Ryzen Threadripper – for powerful professional PCs (8-16 cores)

Ryzen 5, 7 and Threadripper processors are multi-threaded, which with a large number of cores makes them an excellent choice for video editing. In addition, there are models with an “X” at the end of the marking, which have a higher frequency.

9.3. Restarting the series

It is also worth noting that sometimes manufacturers restart old series on new sockets. For example, Intel now has Celeron G and Pentium G with integrated graphics, AMD has updated lines of Athlon II and Phenom II processors. These processors are slightly inferior to their more modern counterparts in performance, but significantly higher in price.

9.4. Core and generation of processors

Along with the change of sockets, the generation of processors usually changes. For example, on socket 1150 there were 4th generation Core i7-4xxx processors, on socket 2011-3 there were 5th generation Core i7-5xxx. When switching to socket 1151, 6th generation Core i7-6xxx processors appeared.

It also happens that the processor generation changes without changing the socket. For example, 7th generation Core i7-7xxx processors were released on socket 1151.

The change of generations is caused by improvements in the electronic architecture of the processor, also called the core. For example, Core i7-6xxx processors are built on a core code-named Skylake, and those that replaced them, Core i7-7xxx, are built on a Kaby Lake core.

The nuclei can have various differences from quite significant to purely cosmetic. For example, Kaby Lake differs from the previous Skylake by updated integrated graphics and blocking of overclocking on the processor bus without the K index.

In a similar way, there is a change in cores and generations of AMD processors. For example, the FX-9xxx processors replaced the FX-8xxx processors. Their main difference is the significantly increased frequency and, as a consequence, heat generation. But the socket has not changed, but the old AM3+ remains.

AMD FX processors had many cores, the latest being Zambezi and Vishera, but they were replaced by new much more advanced and powerful Ryzen (Zen core) processors on the AM4 socket and Ryzen (Threadripper core) on the TR4 socket.

10. Overclocking the processor

Intel Core processors with a “K” at the end of the marking have a higher base frequency and an unlocked multiplier. They are easy to overclock (increase the frequency) to increase performance, but will require a more expensive motherboard with a Z-series chipset.

All AMD FX and Ryzen processors can be overclocked by changing the multiplier, but their overclocking potential is more modest. Overclocking of Ryzen processors is supported by motherboards based on B350, X370 chipsets.

In general, the ability to overclock makes the processor more promising, since in the future, if there is a slight lack of performance, it will not be possible to change it, but simply overclock it.

11. Packaging and cooler

Processors with the word “BOX” at the end of the label are packaged in a high-quality box and can be sold complete with a cooler.

But some more expensive boxed processors may not have a cooler included.

If “Tray” or “OEM” is written at the end of the marking, this means that the processor is packaged in a small plastic tray and there is no cooler included.

Entry-class processors like Pentium are easier and cheaper to purchase complete with a cooler. But it is often more profitable to buy a mid- or high-end processor without a cooler and select a suitable cooler for it separately. The cost will be about the same, but the cooling and noise level will be much better.

12. Setting up filters in the online store

Go to the "Processors" section on the seller's website.
Select the manufacturer (Intel or AMD).
Select socket (1151, AM4).
Select a processor line (Pentium, i3, i5, i7, Ryzen).
Sort the selection by price.
Browse processors starting with the cheapest ones.
Buy a processor with the maximum possible number of threads and frequency that suits your price.

Thus, you will receive the optimal price/performance ratio processor that meets your requirements at the lowest possible cost.

13. Links

Intel Core i7 8700 processor
Intel Core i5 8600K processor
Processor Intel Pentium G4600

Russian processor Elbrus-8S

Good afternoon, dear readers. Today's topic will be very interesting to avid patriots. Go Russia!!! And today we’ll talk about Russian processors “ Elbrus" And " Baikal" It’s a shame that the article really can’t be called “ Russian-made processors", because in fact they are produced in East Asia (like most of the world's leading electronics), and not in Russia. But we can be proud that Russia is one of the few countries in the world that is capable of developing its own microprocessors, because the future lies behind them.

Are there those among you who, to search for an article, entered the phrase “ Russian processors"? If we talk about people, then “ Not all Russians are Russians" And if we talk about processors, then they Russian. Info 100%, I checked!

So what do we have for today? And today we are in the first half of 2017 and Russian processors are developing relentlessly.

Russian processors "Processor-9" with support for DDR4 memory

What do we see in the subtitle? With the support ! This means nothing more than that Processor-9 will be in direct competition with existing giants Intel and AMD. Here you can really be proud of Russia.

What is Processor-9? This is the code name of a top Russian processor Elbrus-16S from the MCST company. It is planned to begin production in 2018. There will be two processor options with 8 and 16 cores. In general, the processor characteristics are:

Main technical characteristics of the Elbrus-16S processor (Processor-9)

Previously, computers based on Russian Elbrus processors were already sold. 4 C, but they cost an exorbitant amount of money. This was due to the fact that mass production of processors had not been established. These computers were rather experimental models, and therefore cost up to 400,000 rubles. In the case of Elbrus-16S, the situation will be corrected by mass production of processors in Taiwan. In addition, the manufacturer must understand that at such a price there can be no talk of any competitiveness.

Why don't we compare information about the entire line of Elbrus processors? It's interesting.

	Elbrus-2C+	Elbrus-4S	Elbrus-8S	Elbrus-16S
Year of issue	2011	2014	2015-2018 (revisions)	2018 (plan)
Clock frequency	500 MHz	800 MHz	1300 MHz	1500 MHz
Bit depth	I don't know	32/64 bit	64 bit	64/128 bit
Number of cores	2	4	8	8/16
Level 1 cache	64 KB	128 KB	—	—
Level 2 cache	1 MB	8 MB	4 MB	4 MB
Level 3 cache	—	—	16 MB	16 MB
RAM support	DDR2-800	3 x DDR3-1600	4 x DDR3-1600	4 x DDR4-2400
Technical process	90 nm	65 nm	28 nm	28 nm (or 16)
Power consumption	25 W	45 W	75-100 W	60-90 W

There were also developments of processors that did not pass state certification. But that was a long time ago and not true.

What do you think about Russian processors? Would you buy a computer for 400,000 just because it is Russian? Write, let's talk about this topic.

Russian Elbrus processors compared to Intel

I know that many people are interested in comparing Russian processors with Intel processors. This is not surprising, Russians are a proud people, and therefore we want to compare our achievements with the best. And Intel is exactly like that in the world of computer processors.

In general, there is a certain tablet floating around the network comparing Elbrus processors with Intel, but decide for yourself how reliable it is. As I understand, this table is not new, because the comparison is not with the newest Intel processors, but some of them still cannot be called old. Moreover, some of them are powerful Intel Xeon server processors. In the table you can compare the main technical characteristics, as well as the performance of processors in Gigaflops.

In general, here is the processor comparison table itself. I am inserting it in the form in which I found it, do not judge strictly. It’s a pity that there is only a comparison between Elbrus and Intel, and there are no Baikal processors there, but I think there will still be enthusiasts who will correct this shortcoming.

Russian Elbrus processors: comparison with Intel

Russian processors Baikal-T1 and Baikal-M

If Elbrus processors are intended purely for computers and are ready to compete with other manufacturing companies, then Baikal processors are intended more for the industrial segment and will not face such tough competition. However, Baikal-M processors are already being developed, which can be used for desktop PCs.

Processor Baikal-T1

According to Baikal Electronics, processors Baikal-T1 can be used for routers, routers and other telecommunications equipment, for thin clients and office equipment, for multimedia centers, CNC systems. But the processors Baikal-M can become the heart of work PCs, industrial automation and building management. Already more interesting! But there is no detailed information about technical characteristics yet. We only know that it will run on 8 ARMv8-A cores and will have up to eight ARM Mali-T628 graphics cores on board and, what is also important, the manufacturers promise to make it very energy efficient. Let's see what happens.

While I was writing the article, I made a request to Baikal Electronics JSC, and the answer was not long in coming. Dear Andrey Petrovich Malafeev (public relations and corporate events manager) kindly shared with us the latest information about the Baikal-M processor.

The company plans to release the first engineering samples of the Baikal-M processor this fall. And then I quote, so as not to distort the essence of the information in any way:

— Start of quote —

The Baikal-M processor is a system on a chip that includes energy-efficient processor cores with ARMv 8 architecture, a graphics subsystem and a set of high-speed interfaces. Baikal-M can be used as a trusted processor with extensive data protection capabilities in a number of devices in the B2C and B2B segments.

Areas of application of Baikal-M

monoblock, automated workstation, graphic workstation;

home (office) media center;

video conference server and terminal;

microserver;

Small enterprise level NAS;

router/firewall.

The high degree of integration of the Baikal -M processor allows the development of compact products in which the main share of added value comes from the domestic processor. Availability of complete information about the logical circuit and physical topology of the chip, combined with trusted software and associated hardware solutions, allows the processor to be used as part of systems designed to process confidential information.

Applicable software

The widespread use of the ARMv8 (AArch64) architecture allows the use of a huge amount of ready-made application and system software. Linux and Android operating systems are supported, including at the level of binary distributions and packages. Numerous devices are available that connect to PCIe and USB buses. The software package supplied by Baikal Electronics includes the Linux kernel in source and compiled form, as well as drivers for the controllers built into Baikal-M.

Main characteristics of the Baikal-M processor

8 ARM Cortex-A57 cores (64 bit).

Operating frequency up to 2 GHz.

Hardware support for virtualization and Trust Zone technology at the level of the entire SoC.

Interface with RAM – two 64-bit DDR3/DDR4-2133 channels with ECC support

Cache – 4 MB (L2) + 8 MB (L3).

Eight-core Mali-T628 graphics coprocessor.

Video path providing support for HDMI, LVDS

Hardware video decoding

The built-in PCI Express controller supports 16 PCIe Gen lanes. 3.

Two 10 Gigabit Ethernet controllers, two Gigabit Ethernet controllers. The controllers support virtual VLANs and traffic prioritization.

Two SATA 6G controllers providing data transfer speeds of up to 6 Gbit/s each.

2 USB v.3.0 channels and 4 USB v.2.0 channels.

Support for trusted boot mode.

Hardware accelerators supporting GOST 28147-89, GOST R 34.11-2012.

Energy consumption – no more than 30 W.

— End of quote —

What do you say, friends? Did Russian processors impress you or leave you indifferent? Personally, I believe in the great future of Russian digital technologies!

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It is with the help of the processor that various calculations are carried out and commands are executed. But since not everyone understands such important elements, people wonder how to choose an inexpensive but good processor for a computer? We have to take into account various characteristics in the processor. We will talk about this in this article.

The processor core provides various applications with access to computer resources. The minimum can be one, the maximum is 8. In AMD computer processors, the number of cores is indicated after “X”; in Intel, it is indicated in words.

So how many cores do you need for this year's games? The answer is - at least 2. The rest depends on the games you will run. However, soon the developers plan to release new consoles, which will already require 4 cores.

In general, the cooler the game, the better if there are more cores. For example, World of Tanks will definitely require 4 cores.

The core frequency specifically shows how many operations the processor in a computer can perform in 1 second. Measured in megahertz. High purity allows fast processing of information. But what is the optimal processor core frequency? If you are buying a processor for work, then 1.6 GHz is enough, but for games and various professional programs you will need 2.5 or more. So don't forget about this parameter.

Photo of AMD model

Cache and bus frequency

The bus frequency tells you how fast the information is. Higher frequency means that information is exchanged faster. A cache is a block of memory. It improves computer performance and is localized in the kernel.

If we compare it with RAM for data processing, then the cache speed is greater.

Cache and bus frequency are very important indicators. These also need to be taken into account if you are thinking about how to choose the best processor for your computer.

The cache can be divided into 3 levels:

l1 is the fastest cache, but its size is insignificant. Its sizes range from 8 to 128 kilobytes.
L2 is larger in volume compared to the first, but slower in speed. Minimum 128 kilobytes, maximum 12288.
L3- Largest in volume, but smaller in speed. Reaches 16,1284 kilobytes. There may not be a third level in a computer.

Other parameters

Other parameters are not as important as all of the above, but they are still very relevant. These include the socket as well as heat dissipation.

A motherboard connector is called a socket; it is where the processor is installed. Let’s say “AM3” is written on the processor, this means that it is inserted into the same socket.

Heat dissipation is a measure of how hot the processor gets during operation. It is taken into account when choosing a cooling system. Measured in Watts. Minimum 50, maximum 300.

It is desirable that the processor can support different technologies. There are teams that will improve performance. These include SSE4 technology. After all, there will be 54 commands, with their help, while the computer is running with different applications and components, the processor performance increases.

Semiconductor elements make up the internal circuit. They set the scale of technology. This is called a technical process. The elements are based on transistors, which are interconnected. Developers are trying to improve the technology, reduce transistors, and as a result increase processor characteristics.

Here are some examples:

The technical process is 0.18 microns. Transistors - 42 million.
Process - 0.09 microns, transistors - 125 million.

Not every person can answer that it is better to choose Intel or AMD; we give an example in the table based on two processors:

CPU	Clock frequency (MHz)
AMD FX-8150 Zambezi	3600
Intel Core i5-3570K	3400

From the results obtained it is clear that the first processor is faster. Moreover, AMD has 8 cores, and Intel has 4. But not all applications are optimized to work with 4 cores. The cache of the first processor is much larger.

So if you are thinking about how to choose a processor for your computer, first determine how fast you need it. If you are going to play, then of course it is better to choose a faster one. There are comparison tests to help you decide. They are in the photo below.

Top processors of this year

When you select a processor for a computer, you are not only interested in its characteristics. I would also like to know the owners' reviews. Don’t be shy to contact a programmer you know. Or you can look at the top best processors for PCs. The best-selling models are presented here, both of high quality and at reasonable prices. We have shown here a list that will help you make the right choice of various devices, since there is a wide variety of them on the market now. Don't forget your preferences. Some people only need a computer for work, while others want to watch movies and play games.

Cost 1500 rubles:

Developer - Intel, Celeron brand, E3ХХХ series.
Manufacturer: AMD, Sempron brand, series 140/145.

Costing up to 3000 rubles:

Intel Pentium Dual-Core G3220 (not expensive, but good).

Cost up to 4500:

Manufacturer: Intel, series: Core i3-4130.

From 6000 to 9000:

Developer – Intel, brands – LGA1150 and Core i5-750.
AMD Phenom II X6 1055T.
For games, Intel has produced HD Graphics 4000. Also suitable for photography.

Up to 12,000 and above (best processor):

Intel – (ADM no), Core i7-4000K and i7-4930K series.

Conclusion

Don't rush to grab an overly powerful processor off the counter. Are you not a gamer or a professional photo editor? Don't have applications that require a lot of resources? Then this element will require excess electricity. Sometimes a new product requires reinstalling the motherboard.

Don’t forget to check the power of the power supply before choosing the right processor.

The flawless operation of a personal computer and its performance depend mainly on the processor with which it is equipped. Therefore, when buying a computer, it is simply necessary to pay attention to which company made its processor.

The main manufacturers of PC processors today are Intel and AMD. They, of course, compete with each other. Here are short characteristics of the main families of processors of these brands, knowledge of which may be useful when choosing them. So,

Intel Processors

There are four main families of Intel processors:
Single-core and dual-core processors of the Celeron family. The former are traditional and proven, but when choosing, it is better to give preference to the latter, since they are more productive and their price is not much higher than single-core ones.

Pentium is a family of single-core processors (among which it is better to choose models of the sixth series with a 2MB cache) and their dual-core modifications.

Core2 is a whole line of multi-core processors with two, three and quad-core modifications. When choosing such a processor, you need to pay attention to the cache size and bus frequency. And, of course, on your financial capabilities.

Core i7 – quad-core processors for high-performance computers.

AMD Corporation Processors

Sempron is an analogue of the budget Celeron processor.

Athlon is an analogue of Pentium, used in medium-power computers.

Phenom is a family of powerful processors designed for creating gaming computers.

Phenom II is the most powerful processor produced by AMD Corporation.

These are the main manufacturers of PC processors and their most used products presented on the modern computer market.