CHAPTER 3 Processors

The Central Processing Unit (CPU)-sometimes referred to as the microprocessor or just

processor-both directly and indirectly controls all your computer's functions and can be thought
of as the brain of the PC. This all sounds well and good, but what exactly does the processor do?
In the human body, the brain transmits information to your different body parts, telling them
what you want them to do. The processor in a computer works in much the same manner. The
processor communicates information between your devices and tells your computer what you
want it to do.
Much like people, processors come in many different sizes, shapes, and speeds. How quickly
a person can complete his or her work depends on a combination of energy and skill in the
subject matter. The main determining factors for the performance of your computer are the speed
and skill of your processor. An older, slower CPU processes information more slowly than the
latest generation red-hot screamer of a CPU.
Although many processors exist in the marketplace, CompTIA wants you to know about the
processors created by the three main processor manufacturing companies today: Intel, AMD, and
Cyrix.
Intel formerly used an x86 naming convention for its processors but, in 1993, because of an
increased number of clones, the company began using the Pentium naming convention so it
could copyright its processors. AMD followed suit, dropping the x86 system in favor of, first, a
K naming convention and, subsequently, names (Duron and Athlon). Cyrix continues to use the
M naming convention to date.

Objective 5.01 Intel Processors

Intel's first processor to break away from the x86 naming convention was the Pentium(586)
released in 1993. Figure 5-1 shows an early Pentium. Pentium processors had a Dual
Independent Bus Architecture and, as a result, were capable of parallel processing (using two
sets of instructions at the same time). Pentium processors came in such speeds as 60, 66, 75,
90,100,120,133,150, and 166 MHz.
Pentium processors transmitted data 64-bits at a time, via the 64-bit data bus, located within
the processor. The 32-bit address bus of the Pentium processor enabled it to address up to 4GB of
memory. Pentium processors have 16K Level 1 (L1) cache memory, and can also access between
256K and 512K of Level 2 (L2) cache.

Exam Tip
The Pentium processor was the first PC processor to have a 64-bit data bus.
FIGURE 5-1 An early Pentium

Pentium 60 and 66 MHz

Pentium 60 and 66 MHz processors connected to the motherboard via Socket 4. This processor
had a 273-pin Pin Grid Array (PGA) and used 5 volts DC. (The term PGA is used to explain the
pin orientation of a processor.)

Pentium 75-200 MHz

Pentium 75-200 MHz processors came in a 296-pin PGA format and connected the processor to
the motherboard via Socket 7. These processors used 3.3 volts DC and could use an active or a
passive heat sink.

Intel Pentium Pro Processors

Intel created the Pentium Pro in 1995 to compete in the high-end server market. The Pentium Pro
wasn't meant to replace the Pentium in the company's mainstream market. This processor had a
387-pin SPGA format and connected to the motherboard via Socket 8. The extra pins on this
processor generated a lot of heat and an onboard fan was necessary. Figure 5-2 shows a Pentium
Pro.
The Pentium Pro had a 64-bit data bus and a 36-bit address bus. Intel released the Pentium
Pro in speeds of 150,166,180, and 200 MHz. All speeds used 3.3 volts DC, except the 150 MHz
version of the processor, which used 3.1 volts DC. Pentium Pro processors could handle four
pipelines simultaneously and, as a result, were capable of performing the equivalent of three
simultaneous processes.

FIGURE 5-2 Intel Pentium Pro

Exam Tip
With the Pentium Pro, Intel introduced a 36-bit, rather than a 32-bit address bus into this and
future lines of processors-but nobody used the extra wires for addressing memory. For the A+
exams, think in terms of 32 bit RAM support for all Pentium or later Intel processors (up to
4GB) and you'll be safe.

In addition to a 16K L1 cache, the Pentium Pro processor also had an onboard L2 cache of
256K, 512K, or 1MB. This new onboard L2 cache ran at the same speed as the processor and,
thus, provided an excellent boost in processing efficiency.

Intel Pentium MMX Processors

Intel created the Pentium MMX, which provided 57 more instructions for multimedia and
communication capabilities. This processor had a 321-pin SPGA format and connected to the
motherboard using Socket 7. Aside from markings on the chip, the MMX version looks the
same as the earlier Pentiums.
This processor was available in speeds of 166, 200, and 233 MHz and ran under two voltages.
One voltage drove the processor and the other voltage provided the pins with
power.Additionally, a 32K L1 cache was available onboard and this processor could support
256-512K L2 cache.

Exam Tip
MMX (Multimedia Extensions) technology provided 57 more multimedia instructions. All
subsequent Intel processors have MMX technology.

Intel Pentium II Processors

Intel first introduced the Pentium II processor in 1997. This processor, as shown in Figure 5-3,
had a new package layout or form factor called Single Edge Contact (SEC) and used Slot 1 to
connect to the motherboard.

The Pentium II processor has a 64-bit wide data bus and a 36-bit wide address bus (effectively
32-bit RAM support). Intel shipped the Pentium II in speeds of 233, 266, 300, and 333 with a
system bus speed of 66 MHz; and later shipped Pentium II processors that ran on a 100 MHz bus
at core speeds of 350, 400, and 450 MHz. Regardless of the speed, and even running on only 3.3
volts DC, all Pentium II processors require special cooling fans. In addition, the Pentium II
contains 32K of L1 cache and 512K L2 cache that runs at half the speed of the processor core.

Exam Tip
The first processor to break away from the PGA form factor and use the SEC (Single Edge
Contact) form factor was the Pentium II processor.
FIGURE 5-3 Intel Pentium II (Photo courtesy of Intel)

Intel Celeron Processors

The Intel Celeron was designed to cash in on the popularity of the Pentium II chip. The Pentium
II processor was a technological breakthrough at the time, but not everyone could afford it. Intel
undoubtedly wanted to dominate the market and introduced a lower-end processor called the
Celeron.
Intel released the relatively inexpensive Celeron in speeds of 266 and 300 MHz. The Celeron
had a form factor design similar to that of the Pentium II, but without a protective casing, so it's
referred to as a Single Edge Processor (SEP) package. Later Celerons come in a PGA package
and plug into Socket 370 motherboards. Figure 5-4 shows an SEP Celeron and Figure 5-5 shows
the underside of a PGA version.
The original Celeron contained no onboard L2 cache and consumers avoided it like the
plague. Intel quickly released a redesigned 300 MHz model with 128MB L2 cache that ran at the
same speed as the processor core, called the Celeron 300A. The improved Celeron has proved
remarkably popular, so Intel has kept the model in production since then, increasing the clock
speed to keep up with competing CPUs.

FIGURE 5-4 Intel Celeron (SEP)

FIGURE 5-5 Intel Celeron (PGA)

Intel Pentium III Processors
Intel released the Pentium III processor in 1999 to replace the aging Pentium II. The Pentium III
initially came out in a 242-pin SEC package, but Intel eventually released the 370-pin PGA form
factor. The 242-pin SEC connected to the motherboard using Slot 1 and used 2 volts DC. The
370-pin PGA connected to the motherboard using the PG370 ZIF socket, often referred to as
simply Socket 370. Figure 5-6 shows an SEC Pentium III.
Pentium III processors came out in a wide variety of core speeds and motherboard system
speeds. Initially released at 450 MHz with a 100 MHz system speed, Intel kept cranking up the
speeds until the P-III topped out at 1.3 GHz and a 133 MHz system speed. Other variations exist
as well. The Pentium IIIB techs introduced onboard Advanced Transfer Cache (ATC). Usually
both technologies were desired to greatly improve speed and performance. Note that, content
with mere speed and performance increases, Intel also equipped the Pentium III with an
enhanced version of MMX, called SSE (Streaming SIMD Extensions), to handle the many
multimedia chores required by the important applications-games!
Pentium III processors have a 64-bit data bus and a 36-bit address bus, like the Pentium II.
And, like the Pentium II, the Pentium III can handle up to 4GB of memory. These processors
have 32K of L1 cache and 512K of L2 cache.

Hint!
Intel also included a serial number on the Pentium III processors that can be used to track the
CPU down to the system it is installed in. Nevertheless, this serial number can be disabled in
the BIOS,
so it has not posed much of a problem to the consumer.

FIGURE 5-6 Intel Pentium III

Objective 5.02 AMD Processors

Since the days of the Intel 486, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has released CPUs to compete
with Intel products. In more recent days, AMD has arguably caught up and, in some cases,
surpassed Intel in the capability of its products, a feat no one (outside of AMD) would have
thought possible even a year or two ago. Let's check out AMD's A+ offerings.

AMD K5 Processors
The AMD K5 processor was released by AMD in 1995 to compete with the Pentium processor.
The K5 processor had a 296-pin PGA and used Socket 7 to connect to the motherboard. This
processor was available in 75, 90, 100, and 116 MHz and required you to use an active heat sink.
 The AMD K5 processor had a 64-bit wide data bus and the 32-bit address bus allowed this
processor to address up to 4GB of RAM. This processor used 3.52 volts DC and only supported
8K of L1 cache. Aside from markings on the chip, the K5 looked identical to a Pentium.

AMD K6 Series of Processors

AMD K6 series of processors had a 296-pin PGA form factor and connected to the motherboard
using an enhanced socket 7 ZIF socket, called a Super Socket 7. All of the series-K6, K6-2, K6-2+,
and K6-111-shared the same physical features of a 64-bit data bus and a 32-bit address bus.
Initially available in speeds of 166-266 MHz, these processors used 3.3 Volts DC. By the end of
production, the K6 series processors had reached core speeds of 550 MHz with 1 MB of onboard
L1 cache, and ran off only 2.2 volts DC. Figure 5-7 shows one of the last K6 models, the K6-2+
processor.

FIGURE 5-7 AMD K6-2+ Processor (Photo courtesy of AMD)

AMD Athlon Processors

AMD didn't sit still while Intel unveiled the Pentium II and Pentium III. Aside from developing
the K6 series, in 1999, AMD released the Athlon processor in an SEC form factor-called Slot A-
to compete directly with Intel's offerings. AMD later released the Athlon in a PGA form factor
using Socket A. Slot A and Intel's Slot 1 resemble each other, but are not pin compatible. The
same is true of Socket A and Socket 370. You cannot swap processors between the current AMD
and Intel-specific motherboards. Figure 5-8 shows an early Slot A Athlon and Figure 5-9 shows a
Socket A version.
Originally released at speeds of 550, 600, and 650 MHz, the Athlon was the first x86
processor to break the 1 GHz mark and has continued to develop since then. Athlons have 128K
of L1 cache and either 256 MB or 512K L2 cache on die (that is, integrated into the CPU
package).

AMD Duron Processors

AMD released the Duron processor, shown in Figure 5-10, to compete on the lower end of the
CPU spectrum with Intel's Celeron CPU. Basically a cut-down Athlon, the Duron has the same
128K of L1 cache, but has only 64K of L2 cache. Other improvements (such as a 200 MHz
frontside bus) make the Duron slightly faster than a comparative Celeron. The Duron debuted at
600 MHz and has continued to climb in clock speed ever since. Durons come in a Socket A PGA
form factor.
FIGURE 5-8 Athlon Slot A

FIGURE 5-9 Athlon Socket A

FIGURE 5-10 AMD Duron

Objective 5.03 Cyrix Processors

Cyrix has produced competitive CPUs since the days of the 486 (the predecessor to the Pentium),
but concentrates on the lower end of the CPU spectrum. Cyrix had a worthy, pin-compatible
alternative to the Pentium, called the 6x86 line, that ranged in P-Rating (that is, effective clock
speed) from 166 MHz to 233 MHz. The chipset giant VIA Technologies bought Cyrix a few
years ago and has continued to release lower-end CPUs under the Cyrix label, such as the Cyrix
M-II and VIA C3. Both CPUs are pin-compatible with Intel CPUs. The M-II plugs into later
Socket 7 motherboards and the C3 plugs into Socket 370 motherboards.

Hint!
For more information about processors, go to http://www.ts.nu/
Components/CPU/processors.html

SUMMARY

 Objective 5.01: Intel Processors Early Pentium processors had a Dual Pipeline
Architecture and could handle two sets of instructions at once. These processors were
the first x86 processors to have a 64-bit data bus, and used 5 volts DC. Pentium Pro
 processors had Quad Pipeline Architecture and a 64-bit data bus. These were the first
PC processors to have an onboard L2 cache.

 Objective 5.02: AMD Processors AMD Athlon and Duron processors compete for
the high and low end of the current CPU market against the Pentium III (and Pentium
4) and the Celeron CPUs. Athlons come in both Slot A and Socket A configurations;
Durons use only Socket A. Slot A looks like Slot 1, and Socket A looks like Socket
370, but neither is pin-compatible with the Intel-based connections.

 Objective 5.03: Cyrix Processors Because of cross-licensing, many of VIA Cyrix

products fit into Intel-compatible motherboards, a fact that undoubtedly infuriates Intel.
From a tech's standpoint, you need to be familiar with the VIA Cyrix processors.