[ GLOSSARY DEFINITION ]
Performance
Clock Speed
How many cycles a chip executes per second (GHz/MHz); higher usually means faster, within power limits.
Also known as:
Boost Clock
Base Clock
CPU Clock
Max Clock
Turbo frequency
Full Definition & Technical Explanation
Clock speed is the frequency a CPU/GPU core runs at. Base frequency is sustained under normal load; Boost/Turbo frequency is the peak one or a few cores can reach briefly.
Examples: Max clock: 4260 MHz, Turbo frequency: 5.2 GHz. Real speed depends on cores, cache, thermals, and workload.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Clock Speed?
How many cycles a chip executes per second (GHz/MHz); higher usually means faster, within power limits.
What terms are related to Clock Speed?
Related Performance terms include CPU Cores, Overclocking, Thermal Throttling.
Related Technical Terms
CPU Cores
Independent processing units in a CPU; more cores handle more tasks at once.
Performance
Overclocking
Running a chip above its factory clocks for extra performance, usually with more power and heat.
Performance
Thermal Throttling
Chips slowing down when hot to stay within thermal limits; higher stability % means less slowdown.
Performance