cpu numbers

[techp]

I need to know what does CPU's numbers(and everything else) mean.

Like intel i7 6700k what does all the numbers mean and  "k" at the end.

The same with AMD processors. What all the numbers and letters mean?

Is bigger GHz always better?

How should i choose what CPU to buy?

And ALL the other things about CPU's.

[thewipyk]

What Intel means: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/processors/processor-numbers-data-center.html

What AMD means: http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/processor-product-names-decoded/

All GHz: 

What CPU should you buy?

Anything else?

[SLAYR]

For Intel, First number is the generation, second determines if it is an i3/i5/i7, and then different varieties of each one.

 

"k" means it is unlocked and can be overclocked with an appropriate "z" chipset motherboard.

 

More GHz isn't always better, really depends on the use, some programs prefer slower cores, but lots of them. 

[Bananasplit_00]

Intel:

6000: 6th generation of I3/I5/I7

100-999: higher is better, a higher number indicates more preformance

k: unlocked for overclocking

x: xtreme edition

 

AMD(what i know)

4000: quad core CPU

6000: hexa core CPU

8000: octa core CPU

9000: overclocked octacore

then after those number higher is better

[Adalhelm]

Just now, thewipyk said:

What Intel means: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/processors/processor-numbers-data-center.html

What AMD means: http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/processor-product-names-decoded/

All GHz: 

What CPU should you buy?

Anything else?

Best answer. Honestly I would stay away from AMD until we know what Zen is like. 

[ZeusXI]

7 minutes ago, techp said:

-snip-

For intel, the 6XXX numbers are just brands and the generation. the 6 is the Gen, and the 6XXX numbers are model type. the K means it can overclock.

[minibois]

- the i7 stands for.. well it's easier to just share this:

The 6 in 6700K stands for the generation of Intel CPU's and the last part is just their naming. It changes a bit from gen to gen, but there for example was a i7 2700K too.

The K stands for that is has an unlocked multiplier, meaning you can overclock it.

 

For AMD it depends on the CPU series. For example the FX line (4300, 6300, 8320, etc.)works a bit like this: First number stands for the amount of cores (or threads really) and the rest is just to show how high up in the line the CPU is. Their APU's work a bit like this: A6 <numbers> A8 <numbers> A10 <numbers>. The higher the first thing is (the A part) the better it is and the higher the other numbers are, the higher it is in the 'A' tier.

They also have Athlon CPU's, like the Athlon X4 860K, where the 4 just stands for the amount of cores and the 860K is just a number, higher the better in the lineup (the K has nothing to do with Intel's way of saying a chip can overclock)

 

"Is bigger GHz always better?"

No. Ghz is but one factor in a CPU. A couple more are cores amounts, thread amounts, IPC and cache. The way you choose a CPU is you take in account what you do, how many cores you would need (or want) for that usage and check benchmarks to see what is best.

Or you make a forum thread, describe your workflow (what you do and stuff) and ask for recommendations (and why they recommend one thing over another)

 

I would recommend you watch a couple TechQuickie videos and a couple LTT reviews to get a basic idea of what CPU you should get for what and how software utilize them and than come back with some more specific questions.

[WoodenMarker]

Here's intel's naming scheme: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/processors/processor-numbers.html

AMD's naming scheme is mostly just for different series. 

Higher clock speed is better but is only comparable between the same architecture. Think of clock speed as rpm and architecture as wheel size/shape/design. Not cpu have the same cores/design like how not all vehicles have the same wheels. 

To figure out what cpu to get, look at benchmarks of how they perform for relevant tasks. For example, if you want to game, look at gaming benchmarks for cpus.