As central processing unit hardware continuously evolves, why do our performance tests and analysis methodologies seem to lag behind? If you rely on CPU utilization as a decisive performance metric, you could be making some big mistakes interpreting the data. Processing utilization can be used to track overall deteriorations or improvements in performance, serving as a useful data point for error and failure investigations. The higher the utilization used in data transfer, the less power your CPU can devote to other tasks. Keep reading to learn more about CPU frequency, so you can carefully determine your performance needs when shopping for a CPU.
What is Aggregate CPU Frequency?
“Aggregate CPU frequency” is a prevalent term for the frequency of a computer central processing unit multiplied by the number of cores, or simultaneous calculations it can perform. As an example, a CPU with six cores and a base frequency of 3.5 gigahertz will have an aggregated frequency of 21 gigahertz. This determination is used to estimate the performance between different CPU models. Seems simple enough, right?
Why Aggregate CPU Frequency Can Be Misleading
Unfortunately, aggregate CPU frequency faces scrutiny throughout the industry. Most Intel® processors host a wide range of frequencies, but the total aggregate frequency is typically calculated using only the base frequency that’s advertised with every model. Central processing units equipped with all-core Turbo Boost are capable of running at higher frequencies, depending on the number of cores being used, the temperature of the cores, and the amount of power available. When calculating aggregate frequency according to the base frequency, the overall frequency is significantly less than calculating it according to Turbo frequency, by as much as 10 to 30 percent.
Furthermore, processing technology is growing ever more complex. Some processors may contain multiple cores with dynamically changing frequencies, hardware multithreading, and shared caches. With the ability to change behavior, these technological advances make it much more difficult to perform adequate analysis. You should never attempt to compare utilization performance from different processor models. Remember that resource sharing between cores may also affect overall utilization.
Using the base frequency to calculate overall performance, an aggregate determination is false in its assumption that all running programs use processing cores efficiently. Utilization efficiency can depend on coding, multi-threading, or the components affecting performance, including the random access memory and graphics processing unit.
When and How to Use Aggregate CPU Frequency
CPU utilization can still be used as a performance metric in several scenarios. Software developers use utilization metrics to determine performance problems while debugging. Aggregate CPU frequency can also be useful when determining how much power your central processing unit is consuming. The higher the frequency, the more energy your datacenter consumes, and the higher your electric bill. Gain accurate data by testing one application at a time. If you have any questions about this guide to aggregate CPU frequency, please contact XOTIC PC today.
