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Gigahertz (GHz)

pc

Gigahertz (GHz) is a unit of frequency equal to one billion hertz, used to measure clock speed in computers.

expanded

Gigahertz (GHz) specifies the clock speed of CPUs, determining how many cycles per second a processor can execute. For example, a 3.0 GHz CPU can perform 3 billion cycles per second. This measurement is critical for determining the processing power of a computer and impacts overall system performance, particularly in tasks requiring high processing speed like gaming and video rendering.

examples

The Intel Core i9-13900K CPU operates at a base frequency of 3.0 GHz, with the potential to boost up to 5.8 GHz under certain conditions.

This is commonly used in high-performance desktops where users require substantial processing power for applications such as gaming, video editing, and software development.

The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D features 16 cores with a base clock frequency of 4.2 GHz and a maximum boost clock frequency of 5.7 GHz.

This is often used in workstation setups where intensive computational tasks such as 3D rendering and complex simulations are performed, providing enhanced multi-threading capabilities.

related terms

Frequency
Frequency is the rate at which a periodic event repeats per unit of time, typically measured in Hertz (Hz).
Clock speed
Clock speed is the operating frequency of a computer's CPU, measured in hertz (Hz).
Base clock
The base clock is the standard operating frequency of a processor in Hertz (Hz).
Throughput
Throughput is the rate at which a computer system processes data.
Processor
A processor is the central unit in a computer responsible for executing instructions from programs.