User:Ultleafsfan93/sandbox
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| Developer(s) | CPUID |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 1.70
/ July 18, 2014 |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows, Android |
| Type | System profiler |
| License | Freeware |
| Website | www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html |
CPU-Z is a freeware system profiler (system monitor) application for Microsoft Windows (for all versions from Windows XP on) and Android that detects the central processing unit, RAM, motherboard chipset, and other hardware features of a modern personal computer, and presents the information in one window.
Use in overclocking
CPU-Z is more in-depth in virtually all areas compared to the tools provided in the Windows OS to identify various hardware components, and thus assists in identifying certain components without the need of opening the case; particularly the core revision and RAM clock rate. Most recently, a graphics card tab has been added. It has an unusual ability to directly detect hardware features, such as the ability to access, read, and display the SPD data from memory modules. The ability to document clock speed makes it an important tool for motherboard overclockers, as a way of proving the CPU speeds achieved by various experiments.
Graphic User Interface (GUI)
CPU-Z has 7 tabs: CPU, Caches, Mainboard, Memory, SPD, Graphics, and About. [1] CPU-Z is a simple and easy to use utility that, contrary to its deceiving name containing "CPU" making one believe that it's all about a system's CPU, provides information and hardware specifications about your system. This information can be exported to HTML or text, which is very useful when you have more than one system or in a corporate environment. The exported document can help you when upgrading systems or as a reminder as to what's in your system's case. [2]
CPU
In the first tab, CPU, CPU-Z shows you everything you need to know about your processor. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the most vital piece of hardware in a system. In fact, in most cases, systems are solely built/based upon what CPU will be powering the system.[3] Information about your processor is split into three categories: Processor, Clocks, and Cache. It gives you the Name, Code Name, Max TDP (Thermal Design Power), Package (CPU socket), Technology, Core Voltage, Specification (Name and Clock Speed), Family, Model, Stepping, Extended Family, Extended Model, Revision, and Instructions Set of your processor under the first above mentioned category Processor.[4] [5] In the second category, Clocks, is all the information regarding how fast the main core, Core #0, of your CPU is running. The Clocks category states the Core Speed (Clock rate), CPU multiplier, and the Bus (computing). Finally, in the third category, Cache, it tells you about your cpu's CPU cache. The Cache category states the L1 Data, L1 Instructions, Level 2, and Level 3 caches.
Caches
In the second tab, Caches, information about your CPU's cache is available to you. The number of Levels of cache depends on the CPU that is in your system. Usually, a normal desktop CPU has 3 Levels of cache: L1, L2, and L3, respectively.
Mainboard
The Mainboard, commonly referred to as Motherboard, is the computer itself. This is where all the hardware of the system is connected in order to build a functional system. [6] Much like the first tab, the third tab, Mainboard, is split into three categories: Motherboard, BIOS, and Graphic Interface. All the information about your motherboard is in this tab. The motherboard Manufacturer, Model, Chipset, Southbridge, and Low Pin Count (LPC I/O) are all stated under the first category of Motherboard.[7] In the BIOS Category, it tells you the BIOS Brand, Version, and creation Date. The third and final category, Graphic Interface, tells you basic information about your graphics card's interface. It states the Version (what interface it uses to connect to the motherboard), Link Width (PCI Express, AGP), and Maximum Supported Link Width.
Memory
Your system memory consists of an integrated circuit (IC) made of transistors and capacitors. Generally, it can to an extent lead to how fast or how slow your system is. [8] In the fourth tab, Memory, is where all the information about your system's memory is located. This tab is split into two categories: General and Timings. The General tab states: the type of memory (DDR, DDR2, DDR3, etc.), Size, Channel #, whether it's running in Dual Channel (DC), and Northbridge (computing) (NB) Frequency. The Timings category displays: DRAM Frequency, FSB:DRAM ratio, CAS latency, RAS to CAS delay, RAS Precharge Memory timings, Cycle Time, Row Refresh Cycle Time, Command Rate, DRAM Idle Timer, Total CAS#, and Row To Column.
Serial presence detect (SPD)
In the fifth tab, SPD, is somewhat of an extension to the Memory tab and it explains in great detail information about your memory. This tab is split into two categories: Memory Slot Selection, and Timings Table. The Memory Slot Selection category tells you basic information about the Random-access memory (ram) that is in the system. Depending on how many slots your motherboard has and how many memory modules you have installed, information about each module is provided within the Memory Slot Selection category. This category includes: Module Size, Max Bandwidth, Manufacturer, Part Number, and Serial Number. The Timings Table category is a restatement of the information in the Timings category from the previous tab labelled Timings. However, the Timings Table category adds ram Voltage.
Graphics
In the sixth tab, Graphics, is where information about your Graphics card is available. Your Graphics Card, or Video Card, is what your screen connects to in order for you to see and operate your system. It does all the visual processing and displays the operating system to you. [9] This tab is separated into three categories: Display Device Selection, GPU, and Clocks. Within these categories you will find information about your Graphics Card. You'll find its Name, Manufacturer, Memory Size, and Clock Speed.
About
The seventh and final tab, About, is information about the CPU-Z software and version.
See also
External links
- CNET Editors' review (December 2009)
- Softpedia review (October 2006)
- BenchmarkHQ review (2001)
Category:Windows-only freeware Category:Portable software Category:Utilities for Windows Category:Android (operating system) software Category:System administration Category:2001 software
 | This Microsoft Windows software-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
References:
- ^ Mareev, I.S. (December 2001). "CPU-Z". BenchmarkHQ. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
- ^ Sharma, Arnav. "Review: CPU-Z 1.69". arnavsharma.net. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ^ Zandbergen, Paul. "Central processing unit (CPU): parts, definition & function". education-portal.com. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
- ^ Mareev, I.S. (December 2001). "CPU-Z". BenchmarkHQ. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
- ^ Hagedoorn, Hilbert (July 19, 2014). "CPU-Z 1.70 download". The guru of 3D. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
- ^ Wilson and Johnson, T. V. and R. "How motherboards work". http://www.howstuffworks.com/. HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ^ Ilascu, Ionut (2008,October 17th). "How's your CPU?". Softpedia. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Tyson and Coustan, J. and D. "How RAM works". http://www.howstuffworks.com/. HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ^ Tyson and Wilson, J. and T.V. "How Graphics Cards Work". http://www.howstuffworks.com/. HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
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