INTEL AND AMD CPUS
Welcome to the CPU (processor) section of our store. Whether it is an Intel or AMD CPU you need we have a large selection of laptop, desktop and server CPU spare parts for sale.
A slow CPU can be one of the biggest bottlenecks in a system making an upgrade often worthwhile. Buying a new CPU can be costly and due to the low failure rate of CPUs finding a refurbished CPU for sale can often make more economic sense.
At Tekeurope we have over 15 years experience supplying CPUs to a range of customers, from FTSE 250 companies to home users so if aren’t sure what you are looking for or can’t see it in store please feel free to contact us and let us help you to identify or source the CPU you need.
Whether needing an AMD CPU or Intel CPU the first thing to check is the socket supported by your motherboard. This is the physical form factor of the CPU and this needs to match or the CPU will not fit. However not every CPU that fits a socket will be compatible for example the motherboard may not offer enough power to power the CPU. It is important to check your motherboard’s documentation to see what CPUs are supported.
Clock speed used to be a simple way to compare a CPU to another one, this is no longer generally the case. It is useful when comparing a CPU to one in the same family for example 2 Intel 2nd generation Sandy Bridge i7s but is not useful more generally. The amount a CPU can accomplish during one cycle can vary massively, for example an old Pentium 4 might clock at 3Ghz and a new i5 might clock at 3.2Ghz but there is a huge difference in performance .
A CPU that has multiple cores can offer a speed improvement compared to a comparable CPU with only a single core. Multiple cores allow a CPU to perform simultaneous calculation and each core can handle a different program thread and be utilised by software in order to run faster.
Frequently asked questions
What does GHz measure and how does it impact CPU performance?
GHz (Gigahertz) represents the clock speed of the processor. It measures how many cycles the CPU can execute per second. Whilst a quicker clock speed is an indicator of a faster CPU there are a number of other factors such as architecture, cores etc to consider that also influence a processor’s speed.
What are cores on a CPU?
A core is an independent processing unit on a CPU. Each core can execute instructions and tasks simultaneously. Having multiple cores is useful for multitasking and running multiple applications at the same time.
Cores are linked to threads which allow each core of a processor to perform multiple tasks.
What are the benefits of upgrading a CPU?
The most obvious benefit will be increased performance. Installing a CPU with a higher clock speeds or a more advanced architecture can speed up the execution of tasks and improve system responsiveness. A CPU with more threads and cores and improve multitasking allowing more applications and processes to run at the same time without reducing performance.
A newer CPU may benefit from newer technologies such as newer instruction sets, which can allow allow some modern software to run more optimally. Newer processors may also be more energy efficient, resulting in lower power usage and less heat output.
What are sockets on a motherboard and why is it important when choosing a CPU?
The CPU socket(s) on a motherboard are where the processor is physically installed. When choosing a replacement CPU you will need to buy one for the correct socket type. This is not the only factor to consider in terms of compatibility, the motherboard’s chipset, BIOS version and power requirements should also be taken into account.
Should I choose an Intel or AMD CPU?
This depends entirely on the machine/system board you are buying the processor for. Intel and AMD CPUs are not compatible with one another due to different socket designs and architecture. An Intel CPU can only be replaced by another one and the same is true for an AMD CPU.
Should I buy a new or refurbished CPU?
There are a number of considerations when deciding whether to buy a new or refurbished processor.
Your choice on whether to buy new or refurbished may be influenced by the age of the CPU. If it was released recently there will likely be very few 2nd hand ones available. Conversely older CPU models may have been discontinued and will no longer be being manufactured so you may only see a refurbished CPU for sale.
It is important to consider the intended use of the CPU. It if is going into a mission critical system a new CPU may be a safer choice due to less chance of failure. It is worth noting that CPUs generally do have a fairly low failure rate but it is still worth considering, especially if planning to overclock the CPU.
Finally the decision can depend on the budget available to spend. Refurbished CPUs are likely to cost less than buying the same processor brand new.
What is thermal paste?
Thermal paste is a substance placed between the CPU and heatsink during installation. It helps in transferring heat away form the CPU to the heatsink. It increases the surface area between the 2 devices and prevents there being any small air gaps. If you do not use it the CPU will most likely not get sufficient cooling and will overheat. It is worth checking and replacing thermal paste periodically.
A lot of new processors will come with thermal paste as part of the kit, however when buying a refurb CPU they may be something you need to purchase separately.
What are signs a CPU is faulty/failing?
Knowing when a CPU replacement is needed can sometimes be tricky as many of the symptoms of a failing processor overlap with other hardware faults. CPU failure rates are fairly low so if possible, try to rule out other possible causes as well. Signs can include:
- Failure to boot, although this can be caused by a number of other problems such as faulty/incompatible RAM . If this happens during the power on self test (POST) stage this can be accompanied by a number of beeps which indicate the error or component at fault. Please consult your motherboards manual for the meaning of the codes.
- System instability. This can include unexpected reboots or the system freezing or crashing.
- The system overheating can be indicative of CPU problems. It is worth checking the airflow of your system including making sure all fans and vents are working and unblocked as well as reapplying thermal paste to the processor to rule out other possible causes.
What is overclocking a CPU?
Overclocking a CPU involves increasing its clock speed beyond the manufacturer’s settings in order to improve its performance. It usually involves adjusting the clock multiplier to produce higher clock speeds, with sometimes the voltage also needing to be increased to provide stability for these higher clock speeds.
Not all CPUs are designed for overclocking. Unlocked CPUs, where values such as the clock multiplier can be tuned, are most suitable for overclocking. Unlocked Intel CPUs are denoted with a K at the end of the model number e.g. i7-10700K.
It is important to note that overclocking a CPU will generate more heat, so adequate cooling is essential. There are risks to overclocking including damaging or reducing the lifespan of a CPU.
What are the different Intel CPU ranges?
Core i9- Aimed at the high end of the consumer market offering high performance. Suitable for gaming, video editing and other high requirement professional applications.
Core i7- Whilst not as powerful as the i9 the Intel Core i7 is suitable for gaming and other high end applications
Core i5- Intel’s mid range CPUs, offering a balance of cost and performance
Core i3- Intel’s entry level range. These processors are often found in budget machines and suitable for less CPU intensive tasks.
Pentium – Originally launched in 2018 and now semi discontinued, the Pentium range was Intel’s primary consumer CPU range until the introduction of Intel Core processors. It has since been marketed as an entry level product, below Intel Core products.
Celeron – Now semi discontinued, Celeron processors were aimed at the lower cost PC markets, with many of the advanced features of other Intel CPUs either missing or disabled.
Xeon- Targeted at the enterprise market, Intel Xeon processors are often found in servers and workstations. They offer advanced features such as support for larger amounts of RAM, ECC memory and features for handling hardware exceptions.
What are the different AMD CPU ranges?
Ryzen 9- Aimed at the high end consumer CPU market, Ryzen 9 CPUs offer the high performance in processor intensive tasks such as video editing and gaming. They are designed for multitasking and often feature a high core/thread count.
Ryzen 7- Another high performance product line, the Ryzen 7 range is not as powerful as the Ryzen 9 but does come at a lower cost.
Ryzen 5 – AMD’s mid range consumer range offering a balance of cost and performance.
Ryzen 3 – An entry level CPU. Suitable for every day tasks such as office applications as well as low spec gaming.
A-Series – The A series includes APUs (Accelerated Processing Units) which feature both the CPU and Integrated Graphics module together.
Athlon – Originally released in 1999, the Athlon Range has undergone multiple iterations. It is now marketed as an entry level CPU for low end machines to compete with Intel’s Pentium range.
EPYC – Designed for servers, these processors feature high memory width and high core counts for multitasking. EPYC CPUs are suitable for the high workloads of enterprise environments.
Opteron – AMD’s deprecated server/workstation line, only now found in older machines.