Because the processor is the most important component in computing

Um processor center, or CPU (Central Processing Unit, “Central Processing Unit”, in Portuguese), is arguably the most important component of any computing device. It handles basic instructions and allocates the more complicated tasks to other specific chips to make them do what they do best. It's the core of your PC, smartphone or tablet, and that's what makes the whole device work as it should.

What is a processor?

Herself - Host CPU it's a central component of what makes the computer a computer, but it's not the computer itself – it's just the brains of the operation. The processor is a small computer chip that sits on top of the main circuit board (motherboard) of a PC, laptop, tablets ou smartphone.

It is distinctly separate from memory, which is where information is stored, and from the graphics card or graphics chip, which handles all video rendering and 3D graphics on the monitor or screen.

As CPUs are built by putting billions of microscopic transistors on a single computer chip. These transistors allow it to do the calculations necessary to run programs stored in your system's memory.

One of the most common advances in processor technology is making these transistors smaller and smaller. This has resulted in the speed of processors improving over the decades, often referred to as Moore's Law.

The famous Moore's Law emerged in 1965 through a concept established by Gordon Earl Moore. It said that computer processing power would generally double every 18 months. There is no way to say that this law will last much longer, but so far it has been valid. 

In the context of modern devices, a desktop with ou laptop will have a CPU that performs various processing functions for the system. Mobile devices and some tablets use a “System-on-Chip” (SoC), which is a chip that contains your processor along with other components.

A Intel and AMD, for example, offer processors with graphics chips and memory stored on them, which means they can do more than just standard computer functions. CPU.

Both the processors Intel as AMD are built on different circuits and therefore it is impossible to compare them fairly. If you ask an expert which one is better, he will only say that both are equally good and if you choose one CPU Intel ou AMD It entirely depends on your needs and preferences.

Next, we will discuss the unique features of each CPU brand.

Intel vs AMD

clock frequency

the speed of Intel always seems to be bigger than the AMD. But be careful, as this does not imply that the CPU of the Intel is better.

The highest speed of clock it simply means that there are more work cycles per second, not the amount of work done per second. THE CPU Intel has a tendency to divide your task into several small parts for easier processing.

Thus, the amount of work done per cycle is relatively small. However, the AMD has a shorter duty cycle, but processes more data per cycle. So, when added together, the amount of work performed can be quite significant.

unless we do benchmarking to determine the performance of each CPU AMD e Intel, it is definitely not a good idea to say that a particular model of Intel is better than other model AMD just because he has a speed of clock bigger.

Socket Type

The main reason you can't use a processor AMD e Intel on the same motherboard is because they don't have the same pin configuration. Because of the different circuit, the number of connecting pins for both brands of CPU is also different.

Even within the same brand, a specific model may use different pin configurations from another model. The new chip generation AMD, for example, has 1331 pins and uses the socket AM4.

Already the chip Intel (the new generation) has 1366 pins and uses the socket LGA1366 on the motherboard. So, when choosing the CPU, it is important to keep in mind the type of socket used by your motherboard.

Price

When comparing a CPU Intel e AMD with approximately the same specification, processors AMD always come out cheaper (probably because the Intel uses more L2/L3 cache on their CPUs). If you're looking to save money without impacting performance, get a processor. AMD.

Performance

Once the AMD acquired ATI, they began to integrate graphics processing capability into the core of CPU and that effort paid off. If you're using a chip AMD for gaming, you will generally get better graphics performance than a chip Intel equivalent (assuming you are using a graphics card ATI).

When it comes to multitasking, the Intel has an advantage over AMD with your technology HyperTreading. However, this advantage is only valid if the with /application support multitasking (the ability to split your tasks into smaller parts).

What does a processor really do?

At its core, a processor receives instructions from a program or application and performs a calculation. This process can be divided into three main steps: fetch, decode and execute. He seeks instruction from RAM of a system and decodes what the instruction actually is, before being executed by its relevant parts.

The executed instruction, or calculation, may involve basic arithmetic, comparing certain numbers together, or moving them around in memory. Since everything on a computer is represented by numbers, these kinds of simple tasks are equivalent to what a processor does. It's what makes everything from booting the Windows until watching a video of YouTube.

In modern systems, the CPU doesn't do everything, but still needs to feed the hardware specialist with the numbers you need to get your job done. In more technical words, it needs to tell the graphics card to show an explosion in a game when you try to access your doc. Office from local memory.

Cores, frequencies and costs

Originally, processors had a single processing core. Today, the most modern ones are composed of multiple cores that allow you to execute several instructions at once.

They are effectively several CPUs on a single chip. Almost all sold today are at least dual core (two cores) but at the top end you see quad core (four cores) and up to deca core (ten cores) of processing.

Some processors also employ a technology called multi threading, which creates virtual processor cores. They are not as powerful as physical cores, but they can help improve the performance of a CPU.

A clock speed (frequency of operations per second) is another number that is often used with CPUs. This is the figure of “gigahertz” (GHz) that you will see in the product information of CPU. It efficiently denotes how many instructions a processor can handle per second, but that's not the whole picture when it comes to performance.

the speed of clock usually comes into play when comparing CPUs from the same family or generation of products. When all else is the same, a speed of clock faster means a faster processor, but a 3.0 2010 GHz processor will not be as fast as a 2.0 2018 GHz processor as technology has evolved since then.

So how much should you pay for your CPU? In short, unless you are a gamer hardcore or someone who wants to edit photos or videos, you don't need to spend more than R$ 1.000,00. Stick to a recent generation. for chips Intel, crisps of 6th, 7th or 8th generation, is for AMD, your processors Ryzen 1000 ou 2000.

Next, we will check the main features and learn how to differentiate the different models of processors from Intel so you can choose the best component for your needs

Intel Core i3: everyday use

If you're looking for a laptop or desktop for everyday computing tasks like web browsing, video streaming and office work, the i3 it's a great choice.

The 8th gen has up to 4 cores – double that of the 7th gen – making everyday use much faster. It even lets you watch content in 4K and 360° immersive viewing.

With Intel Core i3 you may:

• Browse multiple web pages smoothly;
• work on Word ou Excel;
• Stream movies and TV shows from Netflix in HD;
• listen to music on Spotify;
• Multitask efficiently with technology Intel Hyper-Threading.

Intel Core i5: casual and professional use

Thanks to the 8th generation update, many processors i5 now have 6 cores of processing power. This means they can handle more jobs at the same time.

Designers and photographers will be pleased with its performance, as will new PC Gamers.

With Intel Core i5 you may:

• Multitasking made easy – work on spreadsheets, listen to music and surf the web;
• Work on complicated tasks like rendering large Excel files;
• edit in Photoshop and sketch on Illustration;
• Create, share and watch 4K content;
• Play PC games intensively;
• Benefit from faster repeating tasks thanks to large cache size;
• Get a temporary boost when using technology-demanding programs Intel Turbo Boost 2.0.

Intel Core i7: for the most demanding user

If you have advanced video editing or 3D modeling, you will need a very fast processor and good graphics. Therefore, the i7 is your best choice. It's perfect for the demands of the most demanding gaming fans too.

With 6 original cores and the technology to create another 6 virtual cores, it has enough power for the most demanding tasks.

With Intel Core i7 you may:

• Encode video more efficiently;
• Work smoothly in 3D modeling programs;
• Edit smoothly in Photoshop and sketch on Illustration;
• View and edit 4K UHD content and 360° videos;
• Work productively with demanding creative programs – each core uses 2 “threads” instead of 1 with technology Hyper-Threading.

Intel Core i9: gaming and multitasking taken to the extreme

The newest addition to the family Intel, Core i9 X Series, is the most powerful processor in the Intel with 18 cores and 36 threads. And with technology Intel TurboBoost Max 3.0 updated, it elevates everything you do to new heights.

O i9 turns your PC into a studio, producing breathtaking 4K or 360° videos, stunning photos or high-quality music. Gamers won't be disappointed either - this is the best tool for VR gaming.

With Intel Core i9 you may:

• Produce, edit and share 4K UHD content and 360° videos;
• Work smoothly in 3D modeling programs;
• Produce and edit high quality music;
• Edit smoothly in Photoshop and sketch on Illustration;
• Enjoy the best gaming and VR experience;
• Work more productively when using demanding creative programs.

AMD Ryzen R3: For Beginners

These are AMD's "entry" processors. The Ryzen R3 are equivalent to the Core i3, although they offer significant technical and performance advantages over the Intel models: the R3 are all quad-core, while the competitor's i3 are on two cores.

Os R3 can be found in two models: 1200 and 1300X. The big differences between the two are in the speed of operation and the fact that the 1300X has the hyper-threading in the AMD version.

AMD Ryzen R5: the mid-range model

Os R5 are in the middle range of the new architecture of the AMD and, just like the Core i5 da Intel, offer good value for money for those who give up investing heavily in high-end processors, with more advanced specifications.

Available with four and six cores, the Ryzen R5 are found in four versions: 1400, 1500X, 1600 e 1600 times.

AMD Ryzen R7: high performance

At the end of the table are the octa-core Ryzen R7, high-performance options from AMD. These processors have higher speeds than R5, support for more advanced technologies and, in comparison with Core i7 da Intel, tend to compete on an equal footing, but costing much less.

AMD Threadripper: the top of the line

The processor Threadripper raises the architecture performance profile Ryze by offering multiple cores and performance superior to R7. Made to compete with processors Core i9 from the Extreme series of Intel, these drives need specific motherboards, which have socket TR4.

This detail means that, unlike the rest of the CPU line launched by AMD, the Threadripper do not share the socket pattern AM4. That is, to acquire a Threadripper implies investing in a specific motherboard.

Processing prices

In addition to all the features that each processor model has, one element that certainly weighs heavily when deciding which one to buy is its price. the processors Intel Core of last generation are the ones that dominate the current electronic market:

• Core i3: up to BRL 650,00;

• Core i5: from BRL 450,00 to BRL 1.000,00;

• Core i7: from BRL 1.100,00 to BRL 2.000,00
• Core i9: from 2600 to 3100 reais

The price of the most powerful processors from AMD is a little higher when compared to the models offered by Intel, but the other models are very competitive:

• Ryzen R3: From R$ 500,00;
• Ryzen R5: From R$ 880,00;
• Ryzen R7: From R$ 1.500,00;
• Threadripper: From R$ 6.000,00.

That said, one CPU fast is not everything. No matter how powerful it is, it cannot easily render the latest 3D games nor can it store information. That's where other components like graphics cards and memory come into play. But these other parts are left for a next article.

Regarding which brand to choose, Intel ou AMD, it is up to the user to find out which processor model meets his needs and how much he is willing to invest to have a robust machine that will not let him down while performing the most different tasks.