Central Processing Unit (CPU) Architectures
Notes on CPU architectures, technologies, and common terminology.
CPU Feature Flags
Viewing CPU flags in Linux: cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep flags.
- AES (AES-NI): Advanced Encryption Standard Instruction Set. Speeds up encryption/decryption.
- AVX / AVX2 / AVX-512: Advanced Vector Extensions. SIMD (Single Instruction Multiple Data) instructions for parallel processing.
- VT-x (vmx) / AMD-V (svm): Hardware virtualization support.
- SSBD / STIBP / SPECTRE / MELTDOWN: Security-related flags and mitigations.
- Detailed explanation of CPU flags (Unix StackExchange)
Processor Series Suffixes (x86)
Common suffixes found in Intel and AMD processor names:
Laptop / Mobile
- U: Ultra Low Power (e.g., Core i7-1355U). Balanced performance for thin laptops.
- Y: Extremely Low Power. Often found in fanless tablets.
- H / HK / HX: High Performance Graphics/Power. Used in gaming laptops and mobile workstations.
- P: Performance for thin and light laptops (Intel 12th gen onwards).
Desktop
- K: Unlocked. Allows for overclocking (e.g., Core i9-13900K).
- F: No integrated graphics. Requires a dedicated GPU (e.g., i5-13400F).
- T: Power-optimized. Lower TDP for compact desktop builds.
- X / XE: Extreme Edition. High core counts for HEDT (High-End Desktop).
AMD Specific
- G: Includes integrated Radeon graphics (e.g., Ryzen 5 5600G).
- X: Higher clock speeds / performance variant.
- X3D: Includes 3D V-Cache for gaming performance (e.g., Ryzen 7 7800X3D).
Architectures
MIPS (Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipeline Stages)
- Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) ISA.
- Heavily used in enterprise networking (Cisco), older game consoles (N64, PS1), and low-end IoT.
- MIPS Architecture (Wikipedia)
ARM (Advanced RISC Machines)
- Dominant in mobile and embedded. Moving into server space.
- Highly power-efficient RISC architecture.
RISC-V
- Open-source ISA. Gaining rapid adoption in specialized and embedded hardware.