The processor is the most important part of the computer and powers all the other boards in the case. The chip can be easily distinguished from other components by its characteristic external features. Also, the processor has a set of unique characteristics that affect its performance.
Processor appearance
In computers, the processor is installed under a heatsink to which a fan is attached. In some cases, systems use water cooling in conjunction with a radiator that cools the processor itself and connects to a system of small pipes. The elements themselves are filled with coolant. A water cooling system is much more expensive than a conventional one.
To remove the radiator, you need to unscrew the fan or loosen the pipes going to it. The radiator is most often made of metal plates. To remove the cooling system from the processor, you need to loosen the plastic or metal fasteners that prevent the heatsink from falling. Thermal grease is applied between the heatsink and the processor to regulate heat transfer while the computer is running. If too little paste is applied, the core will heat up, which will affect its life and the functioning of the entire system as a whole.
The processor looks like a small rectangular or square plate, which itself has an area of several millimeters. The core is housed in a square-shaped ceramic or plastic housing. On the top of the case, the identifier and model of the chip are indicated, as well as the place of manufacture. The case attaches to a hole (socket) on the motherboard. These slots have several standards, and their dimensions and characteristics directly depend on both the motherboard manufacturer and the processor manufacturer.
The processor is a very fragile part of the computer, therefore, if you need to remove it, you must proceed with the greatest care.
Characteristics
Among all the characteristics of a processor, the number of cores and clock frequency are most often noted. These two metrics are key to most users and determine the approximate overall performance of a system. The more cores in a processor, the more threads and kernel resources are allocated to perform a particular task. The clock frequency characterizes the duration of one computational operation. The higher this parameter, the less time it will take for the processor to execute a user command.
Kernels also differ in architecture, however, most modern stones are released for 64-bit systems.
In addition to the basic two characteristics, the multiplication factor, heat release, and operating temperature are distinguished. Modern processors are characterized by the presence of additional technologies (for example, 3DNow or Hyper Threading).
