Lecture-16: Modern Processor (MPU)

 Modern Processor

🧠 1. Intel Processors

Intel is one of the oldest and most dominant CPU manufacturers in the world. Its processors are used in laptops, desktops, and servers.

🔹 Main Intel Processor Series

Series	Target Use	Example Models	Notes
Intel Core i3	Basic computing	i3-12100, i3-13100	2–4 cores; good for office work, browsing, students.
Intel Core i5	Mid-range	i5-12400, i5-13500	6–10 cores; good for multitasking, programming, light gaming.
Intel Core i7	High performance	i7-12700, i7-13700	8–16 cores; excellent for gaming, editing, heavy multitasking.
Intel Core i9	Premium / workstation	i9-13900K, i9-14900K	16–24 cores; very powerful, for professionals and gamers.
Intel Pentium / Celeron	Budget / basic	Pentium Gold G7400, Celeron N4500	Low-cost, entry-level CPUs; slower, fewer cores.
Intel Xeon	Servers / workstations	Xeon W-2295, Xeon Gold 6330	Focus on reliability, multi-CPU support, ECC memory.
Intel Atom	Low power (mobile, IoT)	Atom x5-Z8350	Used in tablets, mini-PCs, embedded devices.

 

⚙️ Architecture Features

• Uses Performance cores (P-cores) and Efficiency cores (E-cores) in newer generations (12th Gen and above).
• Hyper-Threading: Each physical core can handle 2 threads.
• Integrated GPU: Most Intel CPUs include Intel UHD or Iris Xe graphics.
• Turbo Boost: Increases speed dynamically when needed.

 

🔥 2. AMD Processors

AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) is Intel’s main competitor, known for strong performance at lower prices.
Modern AMD CPUs use Zen architecture, which improved performance dramatically.

 

Series	Target Use	Example Models	Notes
AMD Ryzen 3	Entry-level	Ryzen 3 5300G, Ryzen 3 3100	4 cores; good for students, office work.
AMD Ryzen 5	Mid-range	Ryzen 5 5600, Ryzen 5 7600	6 cores; excellent balance of price and power.
AMD Ryzen 7	High-end	Ryzen 7 5800X, 7700X	8 cores; good for heavy multitasking and gaming.
AMD Ryzen 9	Enthusiast / professional	Ryzen 9 5950X, 7950X	12–16 cores; powerful for creators and developers.
AMD Athlon	Budget	Athlon 3000G	Low-cost, basic computing.
AMD Threadripper	Workstations	Threadripper 3970X, 5995WX	Up to 64 cores; used for 3D rendering, video editing.
AMD EPYC	Servers	EPYC 7742, EPYC 9654	Designed for data centers and cloud servers.

 

⚙️ Architecture Features

• Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT) – similar to Intel’s Hyper-Threading.
• Unlocked Multipliers on most Ryzen CPUs (easy overclocking).
• No integrated GPU in most Ryzen models (except those with “G” suffix, e.g., Ryzen 5 5600G).
• Excellent price-to-performance ratio.

✅ Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 are popular among gamers and programmers.

 

🖥️ 3. Apple Processors (M-series)

Apple designs its own chips for Mac and iPad, called Apple Silicon.

 

Series	Example	Notes
M1	M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max	Introduced in 2020; efficient ARM-based design.
M2	M2, M2 Pro, M2 Max, M2 Ultra	Faster and more power-efficient than M1.
M3	M3, M3 Pro, M3 Max (2023+)	Uses 3nm technology; high performance for creative work.

 

⚙️ Features

• Built on ARM architecture, not x86.
• Combines CPU, GPU, Neural Engine, and memory in one chip (SoC).
• Extremely power-efficient and optimized for macOS.

✅ Best for Mac users, but not compatible with Windows x86 software natively.

🔩 4. Other Notable Processor Types

 

Manufacturer	Processor Family	Used In	Description
Qualcomm	Snapdragon	Mobile devices, laptops	ARM-based; used in Android and Windows-on-ARM devices.
MediaTek	Dimensity, Helio	Smartphones, tablets	Affordable ARM CPUs, strong in mobile market.
IBM	POWER series	Servers, mainframes	Used in enterprise and scientific computing.
NVIDIA	Grace CPU, Tegra	AI servers, embedded systems	ARM-based processors for AI and graphics.
Samsung	Exynos	Smartphones	ARM-based; similar to Snapdragon.

 

⚖️ 5. Intel vs AMD vs Apple — Quick Comparison

 

Feature	Intel	AMD	Apple
Architecture	x86	x86	ARM
Performance	Excellent single-core	Excellent multi-core	High efficiency, integrated design
Price	Usually, higher	Usually, cheaper	Expensive
Integrated GPU	Most CPUs	Only “G” models	Built-in GPU always
Overclocking	Limited (only “K” series)	Unlocked in most	Not supported
Power Efficiency	Moderate	Good	Excellent
Best For	Windows PCs, laptops	Gamers, professionals	macOS users

 

🧩 6. Processor Categories by Device Type

 

Device	Typical Processor
Desktop PC	Intel Core i5/i7, AMD Ryzen 5/7
Laptop	Intel Core i5/i7, AMD Ryzen 5/7, Apple M-series
Server	Intel Xeon, AMD EPYC
Mobile / Tablet	Qualcomm Snapdragon, Apple A-series
Embedded / IoT	Intel Atom, ARM Cortex, MediaTek

 

✅ Summary

• Intel: Great for reliability and compatibility; used widely.
• AMD: Best value for money and strong performance.
• Apple: Highly efficient, designed for Apple devices only.
• Others (ARM, Qualcomm, IBM, etc.): Specialized for mobile or enterprise systems.