Then the clock frequency is the most well-known parameter. Therefore, it is necessary to specifically understand this concept. Also, within the framework of this article, we will discuss understanding the clock speed of multi-core processors, because there are interesting nuances that not everyone knows and takes into account.

For quite a long time, developers relied specifically on increasing the clock frequency, but over time, the “fashion” has changed and most of the developments go towards creating a more advanced architecture, increasing cache memory and developing multi-cores, but no one forgets about the frequency.

What is the processor clock speed?

First you need to understand the definition of “clock frequency”. The clock speed tells us how many calculations the processor can perform per unit time. Accordingly, the higher the frequency, the more operations the processor can perform per unit time. The clock speed of modern processors is generally 1.0-4 GHz. It is determined by multiplying the external or base frequency by a certain coefficient. For example, processor Intel Core The i7 920 uses a bus speed of 133 MHz and a multiplier of 20, resulting in a clock speed of 2660 MHz.

The processor frequency can be increased at home by overclocking the processor. There are special processor models from AMD and Intel, which are aimed at overclocking by the manufacturer itself, for example, the Black Edition from AMD and the K-series line from Intel.

I would like to note that when buying a processor, frequency should not be the decisive factor in your choice, because only part of the processor’s performance depends on it.

Understanding clock speed (multi-core processors)

Now, in almost all market segments there are no longer single-core processors left. Well, it’s logical, because the IT industry does not stand still, but is constantly moving forward by leaps and bounds. Therefore, you need to clearly understand how the frequency is calculated for processors that have two or more cores.

While visiting many computer forums, I noticed that there is a common misconception about understanding (calculating) the frequencies of multi-core processors. I’ll immediately give an example of this incorrect reasoning: “There is a 4-core processor with a clock frequency of 3 GHz, so its total clock frequency will be equal to: 4 x 3 GHz = 12 GHz, right?” - No, not so.

I will try to explain why the total processor frequency cannot be understood as: “number of cores X specified frequency."

Let me give you an example: “A pedestrian is walking along the road, his speed is 4 km/h. This is similar to a single-core processor on N GHz. But if 4 pedestrians are walking along the road at a speed of 4 km/h, then this is similar to a 4-core processor on N GHz. In the case of pedestrians, we do not assume that their speed will be 4x4 = 16 km/h, we simply say: "4 pedestrians walk at a speed of 4 km/h". For the same reason, we do not perform any mathematical operations with the frequencies of the processor cores, but simply remember that a 4-core processor is N GHz has four cores, each of which operates at a frequency N GHz".

Totally agree last month I posted two articles on the site that were somehow related to the processor. In one of them you can find out, and the second article will tell you how to find out. Today I will look at another issue related to the processor, namely, I will tell you how to find out its clock frequency.

What is clock speed? I decided not to reinvent the wheel, but simply turned to Wikipedia for a definition. Here's what it says:

Clock frequency - frequency of synchronous clock pulses electronic circuit, that is, the number of synchronizing clocks coming from outside to the input of the circuit in one second. The term is usually used in relation to components computer systems. To a very first approximation, the clock frequency characterizes the performance of the subsystem (processor, memory, etc.), that is, the number of operations performed per second. However, systems with the same clock frequency can have different performance, since different systems may require different numbers of clock cycles to perform one operation (usually from fractions of a clock cycle to tens of clock cycles), and in addition, systems using pipelined and parallel processing can perform several operations simultaneously on the same clock cycles.

In simpler terms, the clock frequency is one of the most important characteristics of the processor, since the speed of the device in particular depends on it. That is, processor performance depends on the clock frequency, although not completely and not in all cases.

Now let me tell you how to actually find out this value if you don’t know it.

Documentation

When purchasing a processor, documentation is always provided where you can see the full name of this device. For example, it could be: Intel Core i7-4790k 4GHz/8Mb/88W. Pay attention to the 4GHz characteristic - this is the clock frequency of 4 GHz.

In some cases, the processor is shipped in packaging without any identification marks. No problem, take the invoice and look - it will always indicate the exact name of the device, where you can also see the clock frequency.

This fully applies to those cases when you purchase an already assembled system unit. And if in this case all the characteristics are not indicated on the invoice, perhaps this was done intentionally in order to mislead the buyer (cheaper ones are installed instead of expensive components). Be careful.

As for laptops, everything is the same here. But in the case of the latter, you can also dial the model number in search engine and see exactly which components are installed in the device.

Computer information

There is also a simpler option, thanks to which there is no need to raise documentation. You can use the utility built into the Windows operating system.

All you need to do is find the “Computer” icon on your desktop (if it’s not there, open the Start menu and you’ll see it there), right-click on it and select “Properties”.

This will open a window to view basic information about your computer. One of the items will be “Processor”. Collected here full information about him.

Third party software

Of course, you can find out such a parameter as the processor clock frequency using third party software. I can’t say which program is best for you to use, since there are a great many of them and essentially everything depends only on your own taste. But I can say that the CPU-Z utility has long earned its trust, and it is distributed completely free of charge.

Download the utility, run it (there is a portable version that does not require installation) and right on the main CPU tab, find the Specification indicator, where your processor model will be indicated.

BIOS

In some cases, if for some reason the above methods do not suit you, you can use the BIOS, but this is a completely last resort option.

(most often you need to press the DEL or ESC key before loading the operating system), then find the Processor item. Most often it is located right on the Main tab. Here you will see the processor model.

If something doesn’t work out for you, you can always ask your question through the comments.

Hello guys, I want to tell you a little about the processor frequency and how to view it in Windows 7. Although this method It will probably work on another version.

You probably already know that the higher the frequency, the better. But in reality this is not so... I thought so myself recently. But the trick is not only in frequency. Look, I now have a Pentium G3220 processor. This is still a modern processor and a pretty good one. Its frequency is average by standards, 3 GHz. But ten years ago there was a Pentium 4 processor and the top model there had a frequency of 3.8 GHz, you can even take the Pentium D which was the top one, not just dual-core, but also with threading functions (the frequency there was approximately 3.4 GHz). But nevertheless, my Pentium G3220 is three times more productive than those processors.

What I mean is that it is not the frequency of the processor that is important in the first place, but its technical process, platform, core, revision... A processor with the same frequency can differ greatly in performance. Well, I hope it's clear

Well, that’s right, there was some mini information just for you to note...

Many users look up information about the processor, including the clock frequency, using special programs. Yes it good decision, but if you urgently need to know the frequency, then I know a way to see it without using programs. True, the method is unusual.

See what needs to be done. Create a file on your desktop with any name, but it must have an nfo extension (for extensions to be shown, they must be enabled; this can be done using the Folder Options icon in the Control Panel). You can first create a text one and then replace .txt with .nfo in it. For example, let this be the info.nfo file:

Now we just run this file, the following message will appear, do not pay attention to it, click OK:

After this, the System Information window will open, and there you can see the processor frequency, there is other information there:

This is what is in the frame, this is the operating frequency of the processor, that is, what you need. Also, immediately after the frequency there is the number of cores and the number of logical processors. These are logical, like the number of threads.

Well, the second way is with the help of programs. And one of them is CPU-Z. It is small, does not require installation, and has been around for a very long time. In a word, she is the best. It’s everywhere on the Internet, so downloading it is not a problem. Download it, launch it, and after two seconds you will see a window like this, and it’s easy to understand what frequency it is:

Sorry, I’m a little blunt, in short, sometimes the CPU-Z program needs to be installed, and sometimes it works without installation!

This is the operating frequency, it may be higher than what it should be. If this is the case, then the processor is overclocked. That is, they increased its frequency by increasing the voltage; I am not well versed in the technical side of this shamanism...

There is another program where you can find out almost everything related to your hardware, this is . Not everyone knows, but with the help of this program you can even find out when the bar was released random access memory…

Speaking of frequency. The higher the frequency, the more commands are processed per unit of time. Multiple cores will allow these tasks to be performed in parallel.

This is how you can find out the processor frequency in Windows 7, and as you can see, there is nothing complicated here, so try it and you will succeed.

26.07.2016

The performance and speed of the processor directly depends on the so-called clock frequency. This value is unstable and may change over time. In addition, the user can independently overclock the processor, thereby increasing the clock frequency. This article will cover the most simple ways find out CPU performance.

General concepts

Clock frequency is measured in Hertz and is designated MHz or GHz. Users who are trying to figure out CPU performance for the first time are guaranteed not to find such a value as “frequency” in the parameters.

First of all, you should find out what each element in the processor name means. For example, let's take “Intel Core i5-6400 3.2 GHz”. Let's take a closer look at what you can learn from this notation:

• "Intel" is a manufacturing company;
• “Core i5” – CPU line;
• "6400" — specific model processor;
• “3.2 GHz” is the clock frequency itself.

You can find out the performance of the processor by looking at the technical documentation for the equipment, but this will be an approximate number. Typically, the manufacturer indicates the average clock frequency in the parameters. We should not forget that during the operation of the computer, the processor performance may change, therefore, in order to obtain reliable information, it would be better to find out the frequency value yourself.

Method 1: AIDA64 application

Using this utility, you can find out processor data in real time. The software is fully translated into Russian, but is distributed on a paid basis. You can get acquainted with all the features of the utility for free during the test period. Working with the program is carried out in this way:

Method 2: CPU-Z Utility

This program is deservedly considered one of the most popular applications for viewing computer parameters. With its help, you can find out information not only about the processor, but also about any other equipment. The software is distributed completely free of charge.

In order to find out the clock frequency of the processor, you need to run the utility, go to the “CPU” section and find the “Specification” line. Opposite it is the value you need.

Method 3: Via BIOS

To find out the performance of the processor, there is no need to install third-party software on your computer. The necessary information can be viewed using the BIOS. It is recommended to use this method only for those users who feel confident in the BIOS. The procedure is performed as follows:

Method 4: System Capabilities

There is another method that allows you to find out the processor frequency and does not require installing third-party software on your computer. To find out the CPU performance, follow these steps:

As you can see, determining processor performance is quite simple. This can be done either using specialized programs or using the capabilities of the system.

Clock frequency processor – this is one of its main characteristics. Processor frequency is the number of clock cycles the processor executes per unit of time. Simply put, the higher the clock frequency of the processor, the higher its performance; a processor with a higher frequency, all other things being equal, copes with work faster.

Despite the fact that processor frequency is a very important characteristic, not all users know the frequency of the processor that is installed in their computer. Now we will talk about how to find out the processor frequency in operating system Windows.

How to find out the processor frequency using built-in Windows tools.

In the operating room Windows system You can very easily and quickly find out the processor frequency. To do this, you need to open the properties for the “My Computer” object or go to: Control Panel – System and Security – System. After this, the “View basic information about your computer” window will open in front of you. Here you can find out the processor frequency, as well as parameters such as the processor model, the amount of RAM and the system bit capacity.

How to find out the processor frequency using the CPU-Z program.

But, in the window considered, the standard frequency for this processor is indicated, however, many modern processors are able to change the frequency depending on the load. Therefore, if you want to find out the current processor frequency, then you need to use one of the specialized programs to view the characteristics. For example, the CPU-Z program.