Intel® Processor Frequency ID Utility Common Terms

Cache is very high-speed memory that stores frequently used instructions and data. Cache information reported by the utility may include level 3, level 2, and level 1 data and instruction cache sizes It depends on what types of cache are present and enabled in the processor. In processors with multiple cores, the cache blocks may be separate for each core (2 x 1MB) or shared across cores (2 MB). The Frequency Test section of the utility reports the cache size that the tested processor core has access to, for the highest-level cache in the processor. The CPUID Data section of the utility reports the total number of cache blocks available in the processor package.

The Chipset ID field is used to provide information related to the Intel® Upgrade Service.

The Enhanced Halt State processor feature is designed to improve acoustics by lowering the power requirements of the processor.

The Execute Disable Bit capability is a processor feature that can help prevent buffer overflow attacks.

The expected frequency is the intended running frequency of the processor and the system bus. It should be the speed marked on the processor packaging.

Gigatransfers per second (GT/s) refers to the effective rate of data transfers on the Intel® QuickPath Interconnect. It's measured in billions of transfers per second.

The Integrated Memory Controller is a key feature in Intel® QuickPath Architecture. Integrating the memory controller into the Intel® Processor silicon die improves memory access latency. It also enables available memory bandwidth to scale with the number of processors added. See more information on Intel® QuickPath Technology.

Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) enables the processor to execute multiple threads (a part of a program) in parallel. Your highly threaded software can run more efficiently and you can multitask more effectively than ever before. See more information and details on which processors support Intel® HT Technology.

Intel® 64 Architecture is an enhancement to IA-32. The enhancement allows the processor to run 64-bit code and access larger amounts of memory.

64-bit computing on Intel® architecture requires a computer system with a processor, chipset, BIOS, operating system, device drivers, and applications enabled for Intel® 64 architecture. Performance varies depending on your hardware and software configurations. Consult with your system vendor for more information.

Intel® QuickPath Interconnect provides high-speed point-to-point connections between processors and other components in platforms designed with Intel QuickPath Architecture. Find more information on Intel QuickPath Technology.

Intel® SpeedStep® Technology allows the system to operate in maximum performance mode when plugged into an AC power source. When running on battery power, the system operates in battery-optimized performance mode. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology allows the system to dynamically adjust processor voltage and core frequency according to the power source and application demand. The adjustments result in decreased power consumption and decreased heat production.

Intel® Virtualization Technology is a set of hardware enhancements to Intel server and client platforms that can improve virtualization solutions. Virtualization enhanced by Intel Virtualization Technology allows a platform to run multiple operating systems and applications in independent partitions.

The operation of a processor above the manufacturer’s specified frequency. For example, operating at 3.2 GHz with a processor that Intel manufactured to run at 2.8 GHz.

A processor operating above its frequency specification (overclocked) may become unstable and produce unpredictable or erroneous results. These conditions might not be readily apparent and it may shorten the life of the processor. Our warranty does not cover overclocked processors.

The packaging entry on the CPUID Data section of the utility displays the type of physical package that contains the processor. The possible package types as follows:

• FC-PGA2 - the Flip Chip Pin Grid Array 2 package is a more compact version of the FC-PGA package. It appears as a smaller thin square of green material with shorter and more closely separated gold pins. An integrated heat spreader may obscure the top of FC-PGA2 processors.
• uPGA/BGA - a Micro Pin Grid Array or Ball Grid Array package
• OOI - an Organic Land Grid Array (OLGA) On Interposer package. The interposer translates the fine pitch pads of the OLGA package to a pin field. The field connects into the socket on the system main board.
• uFCPGA or uFCPGA2 - a Micro Flip Chip Pin Grid Array package.
• uFCBGA or uFCBGA2 - a Micro Flip Chip Ball Grid Array package.
• LGA1366 - a 1366-pin Land Grid Array package.
• LGA1156 - a 1156-pin Land Grid Array package.
• LGA775 - a 775-pin Land Grid Array package.
• LGA771 - a 771-pin Land Grid Array package.

For more information, see the package-type guide for Intel® Desktop Processors

Platform Compatibility Guide (PCG) encompasses all of the platform power requirements necessary for the processor to function properly relative to the motherboard. PCG also provides an easier method of identifying which processor works with which motherboard.

Branded name assigned by Intel Corporation to a specific processor.

The processor family indicates the Intel® Microprocessor generation and brand. For example, Intel® Pentium® 4 Processors have a Family value of F.

The model number identifies the microprocessor’s manufacturing technology and design generation (for example, Model 4). We use the model number and family to determine which specific processor in a family of processors that your computer contains. Intel may need the processor model number to identify the particular processor.

We use processor numbers to quickly compare and analyze multiple features. Processor numbers differentiate between the relative overall features within a certain processor family. For example, within the Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor Family you can compare the 550 to the 540. Processor numbers are not a measurement of performance. See more information on Intel® Processor numbers.

The revision number indicates version information for Intel processors within a stepping. The revision information helps determine the internal characteristics of the processor.

The stepping number indicates design or manufacturing revision data for production Intel® Microprocessors (for example, Stepping 4). Unique stepping numbers indicate versions of processors to facilitate change control and tracking. Stepping also allows you to identify more specifically which version of the processor their system contains. We may need the classification data to determine the internal design or manufacturing characteristics of the microprocessor.

Type can be Type 1 or Type 0. The processor type depends on whether the processor is a single processor, dual processor, or an Intel® OverDrive Processor.

• Type 1 indicates a consumer is meant to install the microprocessor. For example, an upgrade like an Intel® OverDrive® Processor.
• Type 0 indicates that a professional PC system integrator, service company, or manufacturer is meant to install the microprocessor.

The reported frequency is the operating frequency of the processor and system bus. The Intel® Processor Identification Utility measures the frequency. The utility may report a current operating frequency that is slightly higher or lower than the expected frequency for your processor. Frequency differences within 1% are due to slight variations in system component manufacturing. We consider these frequencies to be within operating specifications.

Streaming SIMD Extensions (SSE) are new instructions designed to reduce the overall number of instructions required to execute a particular program task. They can result in overall performance increase. The Intel® Processor Identification Utility reports the presence of SSE, SSE2, SSE3, and SSE4 instruction sets.

The Frequency Test section of the utility provides information regarding the operating status of the selected processor.

The CPU Technologies section of the utility displays the Intel® processor technologies and features present in the selected processor.

The CPUID Data section of the utility identifies the Intel® Processor(s) in the system.

The Save feature enables you to save the processor information into a text file.

The Web Update feature enables updating to the latest version of the Intel® Processor Identification Utility.