Theoretical maximum CPU speed

[Akima]

I'm sure there is a valid scientific reason but why does it seem that CPUs have plateaued at the 3-4GHz stock clock speed, and instead focused on cores and other features?

[EPPHO]

1 minute ago, Akima said:

I'm sure there is a valid scientific reason but why does it seem that CPUs have plateaued at the 3-4GHz stock clock speed, and instead focused on cores and other features?

Because 1-2 cores with high speed would be useless.

[kelvinhall05]

Probably heat and power, they don't want something consuming 200 watts out of the box and getting 100c at idle on water, again, out of the box.

[Keppla]

There isn't really a "maximum speed" of a cpu, but you are limited to your max overclock because of cooling.

[bgibbz]

2 minutes ago, Akima said:

I'm sure there is a valid scientific reason but why does it seem that CPUs have plateaued at the 3-4GHz stock clock speed, and instead focused on cores and other features?

Because speed isn't quite as important as it used to be. Intel/AMD would rather in increase per cycle efficiency. 

[SageOfSpice]

From what little I understand, and somebody please correct me, it's because of electrical capacitance, and architectural limitations.

[Verrierr]

It's because of silicone's chemical properties for one, and because it's not really necessary to increase clock speed if you can more easily increase IPC and get the same effect for two.

[Lord Nicoll]

1 hour ago, Akima said:

I'm sure there is a valid scientific reason but why does it seem that CPUs have plateaued at the 3-4GHz stock clock speed, and instead focused on cores and other features?

Due to higher core count and the rising ability of tech companies to marry CISM and RISC, IPC's and SMT will continue to be more important, along with higher core count. With LN2 the highest clock speed recorded on HWbot is an AMD FX-8370 @ 8722.8MHz, which is a massive clock speed, especially given it was on all 8 cores. IPC is increased now, because unlike clock speed, there isn't a massive power draw increase by making them better. 

[KyleKyleKyle]

A Quantum cpu can perform like 10 quadrillion operations per second

 

Edit... Theoretically 

[KyleKyleKyle]

I saw a formula that said the maximum is 8x10^9HZ Frequency, I dunno wot number that works out to.