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Base clock

pc

The base clock is the standard operating frequency of a processor in Hertz (Hz).

expanded

The base clock is the benchmark frequency at which a processor operates under normal conditions, given in Hertz (Hz). It is critical in setting the initial performance parameters of the processor, which affects overall system speed and efficiency. While the processor may operate at higher speeds through turbo modes, the base clock serves as the reference point for measuring and comparing CPU performance.

examples

The Intel Core i7-10700K has a base clock of 3.8 GHz.

Used primarily in desktop PC systems for general computing and gaming applications.

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X operates with a base clock of 3.7 GHz.

Commonly utilized in high-performance desktop environments for tasks such as video editing and 3D rendering.

related terms

Clock speed
Clock speed is the operating frequency of a computer's CPU, measured in hertz (Hz).
Boost clock
The highest possible clock speed a CPU or GPU can operate at under specific conditions.
Frequency
Frequency is the rate at which a periodic event repeats per unit of time, typically measured in Hertz (Hz).
Timing
Timing refers to the synchronization of tasks or processes in a computing system based on clock cycles.
Benchmark
A benchmark is a standardized test used to evaluate the performance of a computer system.