Issue 40.10
One of the more confusing things in the computer world right now is the comparison of various types of CPU’s (Central Processing Units). There are two major manufacturers (AMD and Intel) and both of them make a variety of CPUs for various purposes. If you are not thinking of buying a new computer or upgrading your existing one, this probably won’t matter to you. If you are looking at moving up however, this information can help you make a better choice.
The most important thing for you to understand is that the actual performance of your computer is determined, not only by the stated speed of the processor (1.6 Gigahertz, 3.5 Gigahertz, etc), but by how many “cores” or independent processors are included in your CPU. You will also be affected by how much RAM (Random Access Memory), how powerful your video card is, and which OS (Operating System) you are using.
For example, a dual core 2.0 Ghz CPU will significantly outperform a single core 2.0 Ghz but is not twice as fast as a single core 2.0 Ghz CPU. Similarly, a Quad Core is not four times as fast as the same speed single core, but is significantly faster than a dual core. Multiple cores also assist the computer to run multiple programs at the same time much more efficiently than single cores. I have seen three core, six core and eight core systems, but they are not the norm and tend to be pricier than the dual and quad core systems.
It used to be a general rule that an AMD processor would be cheaper and a little slower than a similar Intel CPU, but they are fairly equal now in both price and performance. The best speed is achieved if you have a Quad Core CPU, 4 or more Gigabytes of RAM, at least a 1 Gigabyte Video Card and Windows 7 (Vista is notoriously slow.)
It is important to note that, even a blazingly fast computer will not make the internet go fast if you have a slow connection. I often have people upgrade their computer thinking it will make their internet work better. It may help some, but usually they have to get faster service if they want better internet performance.
If you have questions about how fast a CPU really is in comparison to others, you can visit http://www.cpubenchmark.net/. You can compare a large number of processors and see how they actually perform. If you have questions, talk to your computer professional (preferably not one trying to sell you something they have in stock) – and, as always, make sure you have a backup of anything important.
Shaun McCausland has been in the computer industry for 29 years (locally with Musicomp & Bits ‘N’ Bytes) and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions, you can reach him at 668-7118.