cpu multipliers

[atc_traffic856]

I know that the crystal sets the speed for the Cpu and you cannot change the Motherboard clock speed or oscillating speed from the crystal.
The cpu speed may be changed to the speeds faster than the set speed for it via crystal, by different Multipliers 2* 1.5* etc.
But what is a Multiplier, is it machine code determine by the voltage to the cpu? What actually takes place when the speed is multiplied within the cpu? Something must make the cpu to perform the calculation on the data or a program faster within its own element?

[Randy_tx]

The cpu "mulitplier" is the variable switch, if you will, manufacturers use in building mainboards so that different cpu chips can be run in the same board. Mulitplier = system bus speed. Others can elaborate more on this I'm sure http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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XP didn't save Me !

[pentachris]

A multiplier is a coefficient by which the system clock is multiplied. In other words, a multiplier is just a number. To change the multiplier, the electricity is routed through a circuit which changes the oscillation speed (measured in hertz, being cycles per second) of the current by means of things like capacitors, resistors and whatnot. OK, so that kind of broke down at the end. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif Help, anyone?

Edit: rereading your post, I think it's impotant to note that the speed isn't multiplied within the CPU, but before it gets there. If a CPU is rated at 500 megahertz, and the fsb speed is 100 megahertz, the current has to go through the multiplier circuit (multiplier of 5) before it gets there.

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Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

[This message has been edited by pentachris (edited 03-07-2002).]

[atc_traffic856]

Thank you for your response: But if the crystal is set for a certain speed and controls the Hz or amount of cycles to the CPU,and you are saying that it is multiplied by a certain number which I understand, before it enters the CPU. Somewhere between the Crystal and CPU the Hz is boosted to enable the CPU to a higher speed? Would it not be the CPU that has the storage in the capacitor within the processor to boost the power and Hz to enable the faster speed for computation only within the CPU and after going back to the speed of the system bus? If it is redirected through the Crystal then the speed would change for the Crystal???

[iisbob]

You're looking for a bit more technical info than most folks here posses; after all-if i truely understood just how the mechanical side of a CPU functioned, then i would create my own!

The most you have to understand is that all functions of the PC, including the CPU, are based on the simple " on " or " off " concept.

here is a site that will hopefully answer some of your question's.

CPU explained (http://www2.latech.edu/~choi/Bens/Teaching/Csc364/Slides/BzCH11_files/frame.htm)

Just remember that all you have to know about multipliers is that the higher the no#, the faster you frag! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif





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iisbob

"It is by the fortune of God that, in this country, we have three benefits: freedom of speech, freedom of thought, and the wisdom never to use either."
-Mark Twain { Samuel Clemen's }

[atc_traffic856]

Thank you for all your info, I do believe I ran away with myself not really knowing how much depth there really is just on CPU's. And you are quite right, I do not need to know that entire amount of knowledge: esp. what I am trying to accomplish> And thank you for your advice.

[kidtimes]

im interested in how these things work myself (cpu's) ...i keep wanting to know that myself... ill bet the answer lies in learning how the first ones worked back in the 80's 70's 60's? ...not ready fer that myself..but soon )