Intel and AMD providespec sheetsthat outline how many cores and threads a processor has among various other details.

you may get the same info in Windows with programs like theTask ManagerorCPU-Z.

The main difference between these methods is that spec sheets use the termThreads, while some Windows apps sayLogical Processorsinstead.

This can be confusing. So, let’s start by understanding what cores, threads, and logical processors are.

Cores, Logical Processors & Threads

Physicalcoresare actual processors installed on the integrated circuit die. Modern CPUs are multi-core (e.g.,my Ryzen 7 5700Ghas8physical cores).

Athreadis a set of instructions that programs send to the CPU.

One core can only process/execute one thread at a time. To deal with this limitation, modern CPUs use a technique calledHyperthreading. This splits the physical cores into two or more virtualized cores.

For instance, my Ryzen 5700G’s 8 physical cores are split into16 logical cores. This means my system can parallelly process up to16 threadsat a time.

This is why CPUs are labelled in formats like8 Cores 16 Threads, and why the termsThreadsandLogical Processorsare used interchangeably.

CPUs use various other advanced technologies likeMultithreading,scheduling, etc. These enable modern systems to processthousandsof threads near-simultaneously.

Finally,how many cores you needandwhether your CPU is powerfulenough entirelydepends on your workload. 4-6 cores will be enough for active workloads like gaming. Passive workloads like CPU or GPU rendering will benefit from higher core counts.

Although all of this was a simplified explanation, you should be better equipped to check the CPU cores/threads and determine whether they’re enough now.

Check the CPU Spec Sheet

If you open the CPU specs page for yourIntelorAMD processor, you’ll find the number of CPU cores and threads along with other specs.

Through Windows Task Manager

In Windows, pressCtrl + Shift + Esctoopen the Task Manager.

In thePerformancetab, check the CPU stats. You’ll find the number of CPU cores, logical processors, and threads here.

The main advantage of using this method is that you also get to see the live thread stats. This does confuse most people, though.

You may be wondering, why are there 3142 threads when my Ryzen 5700G only has 16 logical processors. Let me explain.

The OS runs programs as processes, and each process can have one or more threads. These threads can be in different states likeRunning,Runnable,Waiting, etc.

Only 16 threads can beRunningat a time. But the Threads stat in the Task Manager is actually the sum total of threads in all possible states.

The same goes for the stats in theDetailstab. It’s simply showing the existing threads per process.

For instance, theExplorerprocess has 81 threads, but that doesn’t mean all 81 are being executed in parallel. Most of them are in theRunnableorWaitingstates instead. Hopefully, this clears any confusion.

Via System Info

PressWin + R, typemsinfo32, and press Enter. This will launch the System Information applet.

In theSystem Summarytab, check theProcessorentry to view the number of cores and logical processors.

From the Device Manager

PressWin + R, typedevmgmt.msc, and press Enter. This willopen the Device Manager.

Expand theProcessorssection to view the logical processors listed individually.

Using CLI Tools

PressWin + Xand select the Terminal. Enter the following one-liner there to get the number of cores and logical processors:

With OEM/Third-Party Apps

If you have any OEM tools like Intel’s Processor Identification Utility installed, you may use those to check the CPU specs.

Alternatively, you may also use third-party apps to check the CPU cores/threads. I like CPU-Z and HWiNFO as they’re versatile and useful for general system monitoring.