Programs can obtain the Family, Model, and Stepping ID values by using a processor’s CPUID instruction. Generally, different stepping ID values for CPUs signal that the manufacturer has fixed some bug in the processor, or that modifications are necessary to make a processor more stable for higher speeds. A stepping ID is to a processor what a version number is to software. The Family is the processor’s generation, while the Model describes the architecture of the processor. (In the small box on the right side of the CPU Type line, a zero indicates an OEM version, and a 1 indicates an end-user version). OEM processors are intended for professional installation, and an end-user version is purchased by a consumer. The CPU Type indicates whether a processor is an OEM version or a retail end-user version. WCPUID output for a Celeron 950 MHz processor When you run the program, one of the first items listed by WCPUID is the Processor type, as shown in Figure A. Oda's home page and click on the download button on the left of the page. Intel’s is the Processor Frequency ID Utility, and AMD provides the AMD CPU Information Display Utility. Note that both Intel and AMD have their own utilities that help identify their CPUs.

WCPUID is a strong example of a utility that becomes more useful as your understanding of system hardware increases. Oda’s WCPUID utility, a Windows-based utility that is very popular with hardware technicians. In this Daily Drill Down, I will describe the hardware concepts involved with understanding the CPU, bus, and cache information obtained using H. Some are considered parts of operating systems, while others are third-party utilities available for a variety of operating systems.

There are an abundance of PC system information utilities available today.

Hardware identifier program