CarbonSoft cxCPU 2.0
Beta 1 Freeware Release
Build 2.017 (15-February-1998)

Introduction
CarbonSoft cxCPU is a non-visual component for Borland Delphi 3 which identifies the processor in the host system.
This component was originally available for Delphi 1.0 since 16-bit Windows didn't provide any simple means to detect processors above 486 class. With the advent of Windows® 95 and NT came API functions which determine the host CPU class.
Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view) Intel is no longer the only vendor in the race. There's a whole range of Intel Pentium® processors out there, MMXs, OverDrives, P2s, and the odd Pro thrown in for good measure, and that's before we consider other vendors such as AMD, Cyrix, NexGen, and the like.
cxCPU 2.0 picks up where it's predecessor left off, by not only providing the processor class, but also the vendor (Intel, AMD, etc), the model (P54C, K6, MediaGX, etc), whether it's an overdrive processor, whether it supports MMX, and the processor speed.

About this beta
Due to the very nature of the component, it's virtually impossible for me to test it all by myself since I would need access to all the (hopefully) supported CPUs. Therefore I've released it as freeware for anyone to use with the hope that somewhere out there are the processors I hope to support.
In short, please use this component freely and let me know the results. The final release will be freeware so I'm not in a position to bribe you with a registered version but I'm sure you'd like a fully tested version as much as me!
This beta currently supports Delphi 3.02, the release version will support Delphi 2, 3.x, and C++ Builder. If you have any of these and a processor other than an Intel Pentium (P54C) let me know and, depending on demand, I'll make the relevant versions for you to try.
If anyone would be interested in a DLL or OCX version (can't imagine why) let me know.

Contacting the Author
For more information about cxCPU, to report bugs, or to request a version for another development platform please send mail to
cxcxpu_beta@carbonsoft.demon.co.uk

For anything else (not related to this component) send mail to:
kev@carbonsoft.demon.co.uk

The latest version of this component can always be found at: www.carbonsoft.demon.co.uk/delphi/

Supported Processors
cxCPU 2.0 should detect the following processors:

Intel Corporation
General: (no model detection)
- 80386, early 80486 Class processors
Specific:
- 80486SL, 80486DX2, 80486DX4, 80486DX4 OverDrive
- Pentium P5
- Pentium P54C
- Pentium OverDrive
- Pentium 486 OverDrive
- Pentium MMX
- Pentium MMX OverDrive
- Pentium Pro
- Pentium II

Advanced Micro Devices
General: (no model detection)
- 486DX2, 486DX4, 5x86 processors
Specific:
- K5 (Models 0-3)
- K6 MMX

Cyrix Corporation
Specific:
- Cx5x86
- MediaGX
- Cx6x86
- GXm
- 6x86MX

NexGen Inc
Specific:
- Nx586

United Microelectronics Corporation
Specific:
- U5D (486DX)
- U5S (486SX)

IDT/CentaurHauls
Specific:
- IDT C6 WinChip

Note: If you're currently using a processor that's not listed above please contact me so I can add support for it.
Installing cxCPU
  1. Copy files CXCPU2.DCR and CXCPU.DCU into a directory, where your components reside, for instance "C:\Program Files\Borland\Delphi 3\Lib"
  2. From the Delphi menu select "Component | Install Component..."
  3. Click Button "Browse..." beside "Unit file name" and select the path and filename of CXCPU2.DCU.
  4. Back on the Install Components screen select an existing package in "Package file name" and press "OK" button.
  5. Confirm the rebuild dialog. Delphi compiles and adds cxCPU to the component library. When installation is complete, the component can be found on the "System" palette tab.
If you have any difficulty installing the components refer to the Delphi 3 Help system.

Please note that this beta release of cxCPU 2.0 does not include online help.

Using cxCPU 2.0
Using cxCPU 2.0 is very straightforward, just drop the component on your form and read the required properties straight away, so to find the processor manufacturer you would use code like:
lblVendor.Caption := cxCPU1.Vendor;
Note: you must run the cxiBenchCPU procedure before reading the Speed property, e.g.:
cxCPU1.cxiBenchCPU;
lblSpeed.Caption := IntToStr(cxCPU1.Speed) + 'MHz';
Properties
cxCPU 2.0 is a descendent of TComponent and as well as the default properties Name and Tag supports the following properties:
About...
Displays the component about box and contact information.

Count (Integer)
Displays the number of processors in the host system.

CPU (String)
Displays the processor model (e.g. Pentium (P54C), K5 (Model 2), etc).

FullName (String)
Displays a formatted combination of the processor vendor and model, (e.g. Intel Pentium MMX).

MMX (Boolean)
Displays TRUE if the host processor supports the MultiMedia eXtensions, FALSE is it does not.

OverDrive (Boolean)
Displays TRUE if the host processor is an Intel OverDrive processor, FALSE if is not.

Speed (Integer)
Displays the frequency of the host processor. Note: defaults to 0 - run cxiBenchCPU for the actual speed.

Vendor (String)
Displays the processor vendor (e.g. Intel Corporation, Advanced Micro Devices, etc).

Distribution
This package is released as FREEWARE. This means that it is FREE, but it is NOT public domain software. Kev French and CarbonSoft retain full copyright in all the source files.
You may freely use this component in your own programs. You may freely redistribute this package, on the conditions;
  1. that the whole package is redistributed, AND,
  2. that NO alteration is made to the package, or to any of the files in it, AND,
  3. that no charge (other than charges for disk duplication and handling, in any case, not exceeding $5.00 (US) or equivalent) be made for any redistribution.
Bulletin boards and CD-ROM producers make freely distribute this package, subject to the above conditions.

Disclaimer
WE DO NOT WARRANTEE ANYTHING CONCERNING ANY OF THE SOURCES OR FILES WHICH MAKE UP THIS PACKAGE. WE ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSSES OF A PHYSICAL, MENTAL, SOCIAL, FINANCIAL, MARITAL, OR OF WHATEVER NATURE, RESULTING FROM THE USE, OR THE PURPORTED USE, OF THIS PACKAGE OR ANY OF THE FILES IN THE PACKAGE, FOR ANY PURPOSE WHATSOEVER.
YOU USE THIS PACKAGE ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN RISK, AND YOU SUPPLY IT TO YOUR CUSTOMERS, FRIENDS, FAMILY, ACQUAINTANCES, OR ENEMIES, ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.
IF THESE TERMS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE TO YOU, THEN PLEASE DELETE ALL THE FILES FROM YOUR DISKS IMMEDIATELY AND PERMANENTLY.

In the above statement, "WE" refers to Kev French and CarbonSoft
Credits
cxCPU has been developed with the help of the following documents:
  • Intel Processor Identification and the CPUID Instruction (#241618-007)
  • AMD Processor Recognition (#20734)
  • Cyrix CPU Software Identification (no part number)
  • Identification of x86 CPUs with CPUID support