I’ve read that a newer CPUs can be much faster than an older CPU even if both have the same amount of cores and the same clock speed. It says that newer CPUs can do certain tasks faster. How is that possible with the same architecture?

Question

I’ve read that a newer CPUs can be much faster than an older CPU even if both have the same amount of cores and the same clock speed. It says that newer CPUs can do certain tasks faster. How is that possible with the same architecture?

In: Technology

Answer 1

To expand on the other answers:

The architecture on a CPU is just an interface. As in an x86 cpu can understand x86 commands. The architecture doesn’t specify how they’re executed.

Think of it like the gas and brake on a car. All cars have the same “interface,” gas on the right, brake to the left of the gas. Pinning the gas pedal to the floor means the car will accelerate regardless of model. But a Prius will accelerate much slower than a Ferrari.