This is a comprehensive guide on CPU selection, identification, testing, and showcasing! This all-in-one tutorial aims to provide readers with a thorough understanding of CPU knowledge through this article. Whether you become an expert depends on your comprehension ability. The author will not take any responsibility. If there are inaccuracies, feel free to comment. However, whether I read your comment or understand it is another matter altogether.
What can be said about CPUs? There are only two manufacturers, and server-grade CPUs are generally not considered, cutting that down by half. Older desktop models are not recommended for purchase, which eliminates a significant portion of options. After this, only a dozen or so products remain on the market. As long as you understand the general rules, anyone can know how to choose a CPU. I will teach you this rule shortly, and I guarantee you will learn without tuition fees; if you can’t learn, you can study for free again.
Some people keep asking, how can I tell if a CPU bought from X treasure is a fake? The cost of faking a CPU is quite high, and so far, no counterfeit CPUs have been discovered. However, reselling old models as high-end is quite common. More sophisticated methods include selling bare chips as boxed versions, and selling test versions as retail versions, which are even more difficult to detect.
As for CPU testing, everyone is probably familiar with it. Generally, a few software tools are used to measure performance in different aspects, followed by temperature tests. Power consumption tests are usually calculated together with the motherboard. Testing the CPU’s power consumption alone is rather troublesome. If anyone knows how to do this, please let me know.
Buying a good CPU without showcasing it is a waste of money, right? Besides the conventional screenshots showing cores and performance, the appearance of the CPU itself can also be showcased. Want to know how to do that? Please read on.
In summary: Determine your needs and buy new within your budget, not old.
Choosing a CPU is the focus of this article. Everything starts from selection. Currently, the mainstream processor products on the market come from two brands—Intel and AMD. We won’t judge which is stronger; everyone has their own assessment. Just follow your heart and choose, as “if you have a thought in your heart, you will eventually act on it.”
Next, let’s analyze the products from both companies. Intel has just released its seventh-generation Core series processors. Compared to the previous generation, the architecture has been optimized, and the default frequency has slightly increased. The overclocking capability of the K models has also significantly improved. The i7-7700K can currently maintain a stable frequency of around 5GHz with air cooling, showing a noticeable performance boost. This is great news for overclocking enthusiasts, and the price isn’t very high—only about a hundred yuan more than the previous generation. If you want to buy it, consider getting it now.
Kabylake
When calculating the overall budget for the machine, don’t just look at the CPU price. The motherboard, memory, and other components that pair with it should also be included in the CPU budget. Considering that the prices of new and old motherboards and memories are almost similar, the new products are only slightly more expensive than the previous generation, so you only need to prepare an additional two to three hundred yuan to get a new platform.
E3-1230 V5
A special model known as the “God U” is the Xeon series. The previous generation V3 version is compatible with desktop platforms like B85 and Z97. Aside from lacking integrated graphics, there is basically no difference. Many users who do not want integrated graphics choose the E3 V3 version. However, the subsequent V5 version based on Skylake architecture is different; the 100 series motherboards are not compatible with the new Xeon E3. To use it, you need to pair it with motherboards using the C232 or C236 chipsets, which are generally more expensive. Thus, the Xeon “God U” has officially stepped down from its pedestal.
AMD
Currently, AMD’s processors on the market mainly include the FX series aimed at gamers, as well as APU and Athlon series for general home platforms. The integrated graphics of the APU are indeed powerful, but its processing capability is not very high. I felt it was struggling when running “GTA5” on the A10-7860K platform without overclocking. Most processors under the A88X chipset are suitable for home platforms and are completely sufficient for daily leisure and entertainment, plus they are quite affordable.
If you want to enjoy some CPU-intensive single-player games, choosing the six-core or eight-core FX series products is more suitable. The higher clock speed and unrestricted overclocking settings make these processors very cost-effective, and building a cheap gaming rig with a budget-friendly 970 chipset motherboard is not difficult. Overall, AMD’s processor products currently rely on cost-performance to support users with limited budgets.
Ryzen
The ZEN architecture is the codename for AMD’s next-generation processors. AMD will adopt a new manufacturing process that will improve single-core computing power by over 40% compared to the previous generation. This is a terrifying figure. According to current news, the initial Ryze models perform very well, with four cores and eight threads, targeting Intel’s flagship i7 series products. The AM4 interface motherboards have already surfaced, but there is still no specific news about the processors. I believe AMD is diligently finalizing the last adjustments and optimizations, and the processors will soon officially meet consumers. For those who have faith in AMD, don’t be anxious; as the saying goes, “Good things come to those who wait,” the day the processors are launched might just be a “good meal.”
In summary: Don’t trust the hype from unscrupulous merchants, don’t be greedy for small bargains, and beginners should buy boxed products.
The biggest fear when buying something is getting a fake, especially for expensive products like CPUs, which can be considered precious metals. If you buy a counterfeit, it will be very distressing. To avoid this, I believe it’s essential to read more about hardware knowledge and gain insights to better avoid being deceived.
As a product with high technical content, it is indeed not easy to counterfeit CPUs; otherwise, there wouldn’t only be two brands selling CPU products. Although counterfeiting is very difficult, it doesn’t mean there are no fakes at all. Many unscrupulous merchants like to use various bizarre techniques to deceive consumers. Here are a few examples.
Many unscrupulous merchants like to hype certain points, such as core counts and clock speeds. For example, the following image deliberately emphasizes a four-core CPU. It is evident that the regulations on certain platforms are strict, listing both motherboard and CPU models, but there are still many pseudo-concepts. I really don’t understand how an old Xeon paired with a G41 chipset motherboard can still be considered new? 4G of memory is already nearing obsolescence; how can it be called abundant?
Search result on X treasure
Found this model, and it was shocking
It’s really surprising to see this; this CPU is already ten years old. Looking at the performance ladder chart, let me explain it this way: if your smartphone can still sell for over 1000 yuan, it is likely stronger than this CPU.
Besides the old Xeons, many old AMD products are also sold as high-end products, such as the Athlon and Phenom series. These processors have a considerable number of cores, and some models can even overclock to over 3GHz. However, their performance cannot be compared with current new products. Given the speed of hardware obsolescence in recent years, these old products might struggle to run Windows 10 smoothly, let alone other uses. Before purchasing a CPU, it is crucial to research its model thoroughly and refer to CPU performance ladder charts, which can be very helpful for average users.
Part of a performance ladder chart
Additionally, always pay attention to the prices from legitimate channels. Since only two manufacturers make CPUs, their prices won’t fluctuate much. If you come across so-called “cheap goods,” be cautious. For users who are not very familiar with DIY, I recommend buying boxed products from legitimate channels; although they may be slightly more expensive, the product is guaranteed.
Besides the aforementioned counterfeit goods, there are also some sophisticated counterfeiting techniques, such as selling test version CPUs (ES, QS versions) as retail versions. Typically, you can identify them by examining the casing and printing. If the lettering is clear and the casing shows no signs of polishing, it is genuine. Selling bare chips packaged as boxed products requires checking the box and the quality of the included cooler, and also verifying that the CPU code matches the packaging.
Check if the information on the box matches the CPU casing
Whether it’s the CPU casing or the packaging box, the lettering should be fine and clear. If you encounter anything blurry, do not purchase it. Additionally, domestic genuine products will usually have an agent’s logo, as shown in the right image above, which is from Ingram.
One-time seal
The one-time seal on the packaging box is also an important clue. It will clearly print “Intel Factory Sealed,” and once torn, the lettering will be damaged and cannot be reused.
By mastering these points, you can avoid a significant portion of unscrupulous merchants. The next step is to continue enriching your hardware knowledge to minimize the risk of being deceived.
In summary: Don’t be afraid of rich software; it’s simple to operate and effective.
Testing a CPU mainly involves assessing its computing capabilities and parameters. Those who often watch our evaluations are probably already familiar with this. Here, I will briefly introduce a few software tools. First, there are several widely-used hardware parameter detection tools that can not only test performance but also help identify the authenticity of a CPU.
CPU-Z is a widely used CPU detection software developed and released by Franck de l’At. It integrates numerous functions in a compact size. Besides conventional CPU information detection, it can also display the operating status of the core, motherboard, memory, graphics card, etc., and provide CPU performance testing features, allowing direct performance comparisons with many representative CPU products.
CPU-Z
From the above image, we can obtain a lot of information. The first line shows the Name, and the fifth line shows the Specification, displaying the CPU model information. You may have noticed the (ES) designation at the end. If this designation is present, and the complete CPU model displays correctly, it indicates that it is a QS version (Qualification Sample). If it only shows Intel Core or similar wording, especially if the specific model cannot be displayed in the fifth line, then there are two possibilities: either your CPU-Z version is outdated and cannot recognize the newer CPU version, in which case you should download the latest version from www.cpuid.com; or the processor is an ES version (Engineering Sample).
AIDA 64 is a very powerful software. Once opened, you will understand what it means to have everything. Almost all data related to computer hardware can be found here. The screenshot below shows only the tip of the iceberg (by the way, it indeed is the “tip of the iceberg,” as AIDA 64’s predecessor was Everest, translated as Mount Everest in Chinese). You can download it and experience more features yourself.
AIDA 64
Fritz Chess Benchmark is commonly referred to as “Chess” by netizens. Its core function is to test CPU computing ability by simulating AI thinking algorithms for chess. Since it essentially involves large-scale scientific calculations, it is often used by netizens to assess CPU computing capabilities. This software supports multi-threaded calculations, with a maximum of 16 threads. Currently, the consumer-grade i7-6950X processor has already surpassed its limits, but other products can still use it for testing.
Chess Benchmark
Super Pi is also a very small software that tests CPU speed by calculating pi. Since it only supports single-threaded calculations, we generally choose to calculate up to one million decimal places to test the CPU’s single-core computing capability. The following image shows the approximate calculation results of my i5-4590.
Super Pi
CineBench is software that tests CPU and graphics card performance using the Cinema 4D effects software engine developed for the film and television industry. In its R11.5 version, it can support a maximum of 16 threads simultaneously. By rendering a high-precision image, it assesses the CPU’s capabilities. The R15 version can support up to 256 logical processors working simultaneously, making it a good choice for testing multi-core platforms such as X99 flagship and server platforms.
CineBench (the number of boxes rendering simultaneously represents the number of logical processors in operation)
In addition to the software mentioned above, there are other tools like wPrime, which tests processor performance by calculating prime numbers and supports up to eight threads, making it a significant test of parallel computing capabilities. With these tools, you should have enough to test your CPU.
In summary: If it can be tilted, don’t place it straight; a large aperture saves the world.
Showcase, a term derived from the English word “show,” means to display or flaunt. When you buy something good, you must showcase it. However, the image below does not reflect high taste and may not evoke envy, which is not the correct way to showcase.
Very ordinary showcasing method
Presenting this small object squarely seems a bit mundane. To make it cooler, just tilt it a bit. If it can be tilted, don’t place it straight; this is the first rule of showcasing a CPU, which will first kill the compulsive disorder.
If it can be tilted, don’t place it straight
The most beautiful part of the CPU is its neat pins. Having already killed the compulsive disorder, let’s now eliminate the fear of density. The following image captures it perfectly.
Densely packed pins
Only the CPU looks a bit awkward. Why not include the motherboard in the shot to make it look better? This way, it appears more dominant. If there are too many elements on the motherboard, it may overshadow the CPU. Adjust the aperture to blur the background, and the following image represents a higher level of CPU showcasing.
Adjust the aperture
If anyone can capture the following effect, please contact me immediately. Master, please accept your disciple’s knee!
God-level showcasing method
Of course, you can also shoot a video like Linus.
