CPU clock speed is given in Hz and it replicates number of cycles per second the processor executes. CPU communicates with motherboard at slower rate, known as Front Side Bus (FSB). Current motherboards support FSB of 400 MHz or even higher. The ratio between CPU clock rate and FSB rate is known as a multiplier. CPU speed is a product of FSB and multiplier. The raise of FSB rate will cause raise of CPU clock; this process is referred as overclocking. Utilities programs that contained with MoBo or else PC software generally monitor CPU temperature or else voltage, but not the clock speed. CPU-Z is featured freeware that is frequently utilized by both PC gurus and amateurs to monitor the clock speed.

Instructions
Getting CPU-Z

1. Log in to an administrator account in Windows Vista/XP.

2. Start web browser and go to CPU-Z web page using the link in Resources.

3. Click on link "CPU-Z 32-bit.zip" or "CPU-Z 64-bit.zip" based on type of operating system; then tick "Save" to save the file on PC.

4. Tick "Start" in Windows XP/Vista and select "Computer" to open Windows Explorer. Then go to a folder that has zipped CPU-Z file having extension ".zip."

5. Right tick on zipped CPU-Z files, and choose "Extract All." Select a folder where you want file extracted, using "Browse" button. Lastly tick "Extract."

Finding out the CPU speed

6. Log in to an administrator account in Windows Vista/XP.

7. Go to "Start" in Windows XP/Vista and select "Computer" to start Windows Explorer. Then go to folder wherever CPU-Z has been extracted.

8. Double tick on file "cpuz.exe" to run program. It takes up to 30 to 60 seconds for CPU-Z program window to show.

9. Pick tab "CPU" and read current CPU speed "Core Speed." E.g. it may be 2,400 MHz.