Common processors: All about processors (CPUs) — Microsoft Support

24 марта, 2023

All about processors (CPUs) — Microsoft Support


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Common device terms


Moving to a new PC


Common device terms




Common device terms



All about processors (CPUs)



  • Common PC and device terms




    Article



  • All about SSD, HDD, and storage types




    Article



  • All about graphics processing units (GPUs)




    Article



  • All about computer memory




    Article



  • All about processors (CPUs)




    Article



  • All about device screens and displays




    Article



The central processing unit (CPU) of a device acts like its brain, telling other components what to do. Learn about different processor types, from ones that are great for everyday use to ones that give you more processing power for heavy-duty tasks.

  • Processors tell everything from your graphics processing unit (GPU) to your disk drives and screens what to do.

  • Intel and AMD are some of the most common manufacturers, and they each have different series of processors.

  • In general, the higher the number in the series, the more power you’ll have for processing tasks.

  • Intel Core i5 and AMD Ryzen 5 series are great for everyday use, the 3 series are budget-friendly, and the 7 and 9 series are good for gaming and video and photo editing tasks.

  • Processors are updated frequently, so if you purchase a new device, you’re likely to have a recent version of the processor.



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A computer’s central processing unit, or CPU, controls the action and data flow in the computer. There are two major manufacturers of computer processors, Intel® and AMD®. For both manufacturers, there are three general lines of processors.

In all cases, a computer’s CPU must be compatible with the motherboard, memory, power supply, and any graphics cards. Find out more about building a PC with our guide.

Three levels of performance

Both manufacturers of CPUs have three lines of processors based on performance, and of course, cost. These lines change names as the companies re-tool their products.

Budget processors are designed to run basic computer tasks efficiently and cost-effectively. These CPUs will easily handle most office programs, web browsing, photo editing, and other general tasks.

Budget processors have about 85% of the performance of a mainstream model. If you are upgrading your computer, a budget processor is more likely to be compatible with an older motherboard and slower memory.

Mainstream, or mid-range, processors can be physically larger and can handle higher-performance tasks such as 3D gaming, video editing, and other multimedia-intense applications.

Mainstream CPUs use more power and could have cores and caches that are not compatible with older motherboards and memory. If you upgrade your entire system, however, you will see a performance boost.

The fastest processors, known as extreme or high-end, are used for gaming, intensive graphics, creating and editing professional videos, and statistical analysis. If you are upgrading an existing computer, pay special attention to the specifications for compatible components. High-end CPUs use more power and require more memory. Read here for more information on gaming specifications.

Technology

As all computer technology develops, cutting edge technology is introduced on the highest-end parts, then moves downward. This holds true for processors, as well. The current trend is to introduce more and more cores on each CPU. This causes a performance increase in multitasking environments, for example applications that use threading, such as a web browser. This increase in cores will trickle down to the mid-range and budget processors.

Another technology break-through is integrated memory controllers, which increase system performance by reducing memory latency. Integrated memory controllers are usually compatible with only some types of RAM, however.

The processor you select will depend on your budget and the other components of your system. Be sure to carefully check the compatibility of the CPU with all the other components of your system.

©2018 Micron Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Information, products, and/or specifications are subject to change without notice. Neither Crucial nor Micron Technology, Inc. is responsible for omissions or errors in typography or photography. Micron, the Micron logo, Crucial, and the Crucial logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Micron Technology, Inc. Intel is a trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries. AMD is a registered trademark of Advanced Micro Devices. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

All About Processors — Microsoft Support

General terms for devices

Moving to a new computer

General terms for devices

General terms for devices

All about processors (CPUs)

  • General terms for PC and devices

    Article

  • All about SSD, HDD and types of storage

    Article

  • All About Graphics Processing Units (GPUs)

    Article

  • All about computer memory

    Article

  • All about processors (CPUs)

    Article

  • All about screens and device displays

    Article

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) of the device works like its brain and tells other components what to do. Learn about different types of processors, from those that are good for everyday use to those that give you more processing power for complex tasks.

  • Processors will understand everything from the graphics processing unit (GPU) to hard drives and screens, what to do.

  • Intel and AMD are the most common manufacturers, and they each have different processor ranks.

  • As a general rule, the larger the number in the row, the more power you will have to process tasks.

  • The

    Intel Core i5 and AMD Ryzen 5 are great for daily use, the three series are harmless, and the 7 and 9 are good for game, video, and photo editing tasks.