Help me understand CPUs a bit better

[sterlin22]

I understand that the CPU's nm process determines how effective the frequency becomes. For example a 3.0 Ghz frequency with 32nm process (sandy bridge) would be out done by a 22nm process (Ivy-Bridge or Leaked Haswell). How does it scale, exactly? Is there a direct way to compare a 32nm Sandy Bridge to an Ivy-Bridge / Leaked Haswell's 22nm, some magical formula? Also, why is it that the Haswell is expected / leaked / rumored to use the exact same 22nm process as an Ivy Bridge, what benefits, other than its "3x better" internal GPU, does it have?

Thanks a lot!

 

[iceclock]

it will probably gain 10% compared to ivy-bridge be more energy efficient, and have possibly more cache l3 and like u said better integrated gpu. besides that not much.

 

[sterlin22]

While your response does explain the differences between the Ivy Bridge and the Haswell, it doesn't explain HOW it's 10% better. I'd love some more specifics regarding how the nm fits into play and the like.

1) Why does the Haswell have the exact same nm as the Ivy-Bridge, yet will apparently perform 10% better?

2) How does nm effect frequencies at all, how can we determine and compare CPU's with the same frequencies with different nm's?

 

[payturr]

sterlin, nm has nothing to do with that. Nm is how big the transistors are, and usually, the tinier the transistor, the more there are in a die - the more transistors, the better the performance, which means lower clockspeed - still improved performance, like a 2.8GHz 22nm processor vs a 3.0GHz 32nm processor.