Understanding Intel and AMD Processors and Upgrading Memory

1. Chapter 4 Supporting Processors and Upgrading Memory

2. Objectives • Learn about the characteristics and purposes of Intel and AMD processors used for personal computers • Learn how to install and upgrade a processor • Learn about the different kinds of physical memory and how they work • Learn how to upgrade memory

3. Types and Characteristics of Processors • Processor • Installed on motherboard • Determines system computing power • Two major processor manufacturers • Intel • AMD

4. Types and Characteristics of Processors • Features affecting processor performance and compatibility with motherboards • Feature 1: Clock speed the processor supports - Current Intel and AMD processors work with system buses that run at 1.8 GHz up to more than 3.4 GHz • Feature 2: Processor speed - Processor core frequency is measured in gigahertz, such as 3.3 GHz • Feature 3: Socket and chipset the processor can use • Important Intel sockets for desktop systems are the PGA988, LGA2011, LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA1366, and LGA775 • Important AMD’s are AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM1, F, and 940 sockets

5. Types and Characteristics of Processors • Feature 4: Processor architecture • All desktop and laptop processors sold today are hybrid processors, which can process 64 bits or 32 bits at a time • Older processors handled only 32 bits. • A hybrid processor can use a 32-bit operating system or a 64-bit OS. Most editions of Windows 7 come in either type

6. Types and Characteristics of Processors • Feature 5: Multiprocessing abilities • Dual processors • A server motherboard might have two processor sockets, called dual processors or a multiprocessor platform Dual Processor I7 motherboard

7. Types and Characteristics of Processors • Feature 5: Multiprocessing abilities • Multi-core processing • Multiple processors can be installed in the same processor housing (called multi-core processing). • A processor package might contain up to eight cores (dual-core, triple-core, quad-core, and so forth).

8. Types and Characteristics of Processors • Feature 5: Multiprocessing abilities • Multithreading • Each processor or core processes two threads at the same time. • When Windows hands off a task to the CPU it is called a thread and might involve several instructions. • To handle two threads, the processor requires extra registers, or holding areas, within the processor housing that it uses to switch between threads. • In effect, you have two logical processors for each physical processor or core. • Intel calls this technology Hyper-Threading and AMD calls it HyperTransport. • The feature must be enabled in BIOS setup.

9. Types and Characteristics of Processors • Feature 6: Memory cache • Cache memory is random access memory (RAM) that a computer microprocessor can access more quickly than it can access regular RAM. • As the microprocessor processes data, it looks first in the cache memory and if it finds the data there (from a previous reading of data), it does not have to do the more time-consuming reading of data from larger memory.

10. Types and Characteristics of Processors • Feature 6: Memory cache • Memory on the processor die (chip) is called Level 1 cache (L1 cache). • Memory in the processor package, but not on the processor die, is called Level 2 cache (L2 cache). • Some processors use a third cache farther from the processor core, but still in the processor package, which is called Level 3 cache (L3 cache).

11. Types and Characteristics of Processors • Feature 6: Memory cache • Memory used in a memory cache is static RAM or SRAM (pronounced “S-Ram”). • Memory used on the motherboard loses data rapidly and must be refreshed often. It is, therefore, called volatile memory or dynamic RAM or DRAM (pronounced “D-Ram”). • SRAM is faster than DRAM because it doesn’t need refreshing; it can hold its data as long as power is available

12. Types and Characteristics of Processors • Feature 7: Memory features on the motherboard that the processor can support • Current types of DRAM memory modules used on a motherboard include • DDR • DDR2 • DDR3. • Besides the type of memory, a processor can support • certain amounts of memory • memory speeds • memory channels (single, dual, triple, or quad channels). • All these characteristics of memory are discussed later

13. Types and Characteristics of Processors • Feature 8: Support for virtualization • A computer can use software to create and manage multiple virtual machines that contain virtual devices. • Most processors sold today support virtualization • The feature must be enabled in BIOS setup

14. Types and Characteristics of Processors • Feature 9: Integrated graphics • A processor might include an integrated GPU. • A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a processor that manipulates graphic data to form the images on a monitor screen. • The GPU might be on • a video card • the motherboard • embedded in the CPU package • When inside the CPU package, it is called integrated graphics. • Many AMD processors and all the Intel second generation (Sandy Bridge) and third generation (Ivy Bridge) processors have integrated graphics

15. Types and Characteristics of Processors • Feature 9: Integrated graphics

16. How a Processor Works • Basic components • Input/output (I/O) unit • Manages data and instructions entering and leaving the processor • Control unit • Manages all activities inside the processor • One or more arithmetic logic units (ALUs) • Performs all logical comparisons, calculations

17. How a Processor Works • Basic components (cont’d) • Registers • Small holding areas on processor chip • Holds counters, data, instructions, and addresses ALU is currently processing • Internal memory caches (L1, L2, L3) • Holds data and instructions to be processed by ALU

18. How a Processor Works • Basic components (cont’d) • Buses • Connect components within the processor housing • Front Side Buss (FSB) • connects the computer's processor to • the system memory (RAM) • the system chipset • AGP card • PCI devices, and other peripherals. • Because the FSB serves as the main path from the processor to the rest of the motherboard, it is also called the "system bus."

19. How a Processor Works • Basic components (cont’d) • Internal data bus • A bus that operates only within the internal circuitry of the CPU, communicating among the internal caches of memory that are part of the CPU chip design. • This bus is typically rather quick and is independent of the rest of the computers operations.

20. How a Processor Works • Basic components (cont’d) • Back side bus • the backside bus transfers data to and from the computer's secondary cache • the clock speed of the backside bus cannot afford to lag behind. For this reason, the backside bus is often as fast as the processor

21. How a Processor Works • Microprocessor frequency specifies the operating (internal) frequency of CPU's core. • The higher the frequency is for a given CPU family, the faster the processor is. • Another parameter than greatly affects the performance is CPU efficiency, is how many Instructions Per Clock (IPC) the CPU can process. • Knowing these two parameters it's easy to calculate total number of instructions per second that can be processed by CPU: Frequency * IPC. • This number is not a constant it depends on how the particular software being run interacts with the processor, and indeed the entire machine, particularly the memory hierarchy

22. How a Processor Works • CPU or clock multiplier • Factor multiplied against system bus frequency • Determines processor frequency • System bus frequency × multiplier = processor frequency • Clock multipliers on many modern processors are fixed – it is usually not possible to change them. • Some versions of processors have clock multipliers unlocked, that is they can be "overclocked" by increasing clock multiplier setting in the motherboard's BIOS setup program. • Processor sold today contain ALUs and registers that can process 32 bits or 64 bits at a time

23. How a Processor Works • Three categories of processors: • 32-bit processors – known as x86 processors • Can handle 32-bit instructions from OS • Hybrid processors – known as x86-64 processors • Can handle a 32-bit OS or a 64-bit OS • AMD produced the first one (called AMD64) • 64-bit processors – known as x64 processors • Require a 64-bit OS and can handle 32-bit applications only by simulating 32-bit processing

24. How a Processor Works • Memory cache (L1, L2, or L3) • Each core in a processor has its own L1 and L2 caches (on the die) • All cores might share an L3 cache within the processor package • Improves performance • Memory controller • Included in processor package • Significant increase in system performance

25. Current Intel Processors

26. Previous Intel Processors

27. Intel Processors Identification • Each processor listed in Current Process Table above represents several processors that vary in performance and functionality. • To help identify a processor, Intel uses a processor number. • For example, two Core i7 processors are identified as i7-940 and i7-920. • To find details about an Intel processor, search the Intel ARK database at ark.intel.com

28. Intel Processors • Centrinotechnology improves laptop performance • Processor, chipset, wireless network adapter are interconnected as a unit

29. AMD Processors

30. Selecting and Installing a Processor • PC repair technician tasks • Assemble a PC from parts • Exchange a faulty processor • Add a processor • Upgrade an existing processor • Must know how to: • Match processor to system • Install processor on motherboard

31. Select a Processor to Match System Needs • First requirement • Select processor motherboard is designed to support • Select best processor meeting general system requirements and user needs • May have to sacrifice performance for cost

32. A+ Guide to Hardware, Sixth Edition Install a Processor • Installing an Intel processor read section in the book starting on page 147 – 161.

33. Aligning the Processor in the Socket

34. Aligning the Processor in the Socket

35. Aligning the Processor in the Socket

36. Memory Technologies • Random access memory (RAM) • Holds data and instructions used by CPU • Static RAM (SRAM) and dynamic RAM (DRAM) • Both volatile memory • DRAM loses its data rapidly, and the memory controller must refresh it several thousand times a second. • DRAM is stored on memory modules, which are installed in memory slots on the motherboard

37. Memory Modules and Slot

38. Memory Technologies • Variations of DRAM • DIMM – dual inline memory module • small outline DIMM (SO-DIMM) – used on laptops • microDIMMs – used on subnotebook computers • RIMM and SIMM (outdated) • Differences among DIMM, RIMM, SIMM modules • Data path width each module accommodates • How data moves from system bus to module

39. Types of Memory Modules • 240-pin DDR3 DIMM is currently the fastest memory. • It has an offset notch farther from the center than a DDR2 DIMM. • 240-pin DDR2 DIMM can support dual channels or be installed as a single DIMM. • It has one notch near the center of the edge connector

40. Types of Memory Modules • 184-pin DDR DIMM can support dual channels or be installed as a single DIMM. • 168-pin SDRAM DIMM has two notches on the module. • The positions of these notches depend on the memory features the DIMM uses.

41. Types of Memory Modules • RIMM has 184 pins and two notches near the center of the edge • 72-pin SIMMs were installed in groups of two modules to each bank of memory. • 30-pin SIMMs were installed in groups of four modules to each bank of memory.

42. Types of Memory Modules • You need to know about different types of memory technologies because each motherboard you might support requires a specific type of RAM. • And who keeps up with all these technologies? • JEDEC (www.jedec.org) is the organization responsible for standards used by solid-state devices, including RAM technologies. • The goal of each new RAM technology approved by JEDEC is to increase speed and performance without greatly increasing the cost

43. Types of Memory Modules • Timeline for memory technologies.

44. DIMM Technologies • DIMM (dual inline memory module) • 64-bit data path • Independent pins on opposite sides of module • Older DIMMs • Asynchronous with system bus • Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) • Runs synchronously with system bus • Two notches • Uses 168 pins

45. DIMM Technologies • Double Data Rate SDRAM • Also called DDR SDRAM, SDRAM II, DDR • Two times faster than SDRAM • DDR2 SDRAM • Faster than DDR and uses less power • DDR3 SDRAM • Faster than DDR2 and uses less power • DDR2 and DDR3 • Use 240 pins • Not compatible: use different notches

46. DIMM Technologies • Factors that affect capacity, features, and performance of DIMMS: • Number of channels they use • How much RAM is on one DIMM • Speed • Error-checking abilities • Buffering

47. Types of Memory Modules (DDR3) • A 240-pin DDR3 DIMM can support dual, triple, or quad channels or can be installed as a single DIMM. • A single DIMM will have 64 wires in the memory data bus. • Memory controller is accessed one DIMM at a time • All of the memory slots will be the same color on the motherboard

48. Types of Memory Modules (DDR3) • Dual channel memory architecture expands the number of wires in the bus for 64 to 128 . • This means that two memory slots are used to fill the 128 bit data bus. • Memory controller communicates with two DIMMs at the same time • Mother boards with dual cannel technology will have memory slots color coded to indicate which paired slots are used to create the 128 bit bus.

49. Types of Memory Modules (DDR3) • The board has two memory channels, Channel A and Channel B. • With dual channeling, the two DIMMs installed in the two slots labeled Channel A can be addressed at the same time. • If two more DIMMs are installed in the Channel B slots, they can be accessed at the same time.

50. Types of Memory Modules (DDR3)