Issue 15.15
The main brain of every computer is the CPU. It determines to a great extent how fast and flexible your computer is. The number of “cores” or separate processors in the main chip determine how easily your computer can multitask (do a number of things simultaneously) and can make a big difference in the satisfaction level you have with your computer.
For many years, the two major suppliers of CPUs have been Intel and AMD. Intel is usually (and not always accurately) seen as the innovator and AMD as the less expensive and less aggressive company that tries to replicate what Intel does but at a lower price point.
In recent years, Intel has brought out a number of different types of chips for different applications. Their Xeon CPUs have been popular in business machines such as servers that control other computers. They have come up with advanced but inexpensive Celeron chips that have dual cores and a few others that have numerical designations. The main consumer direction however has been the new “i” series chips, which is what most manufacturers use in their home and small business computers. All chips are also ranked by how fast they are which will be noted by a number such as 2.0, 2.6 or 3.2 Ghz (Gigahertz or billion cycles per second) etc.
The i3 is their basic CPU and typically has two cores. These cores work independently when they need to or combine power when necessary for big applications or to solve large problems. Computers using these chips are usually available in the $500-$700 range and work well for most basic computer users.
The i5 chip can range from two to four cores and are significantly faster and more agile than the i3 chips. Many people buy computers with these chips if they typically have a number of windows open on the computer at the same time or are involved in gaming. Prices usually run from $700 – $1200.
“i7” is the designation of the top end Intel chips for the home market. They are often used for extreme gaming, CAD (Computer Aided Design) and other power intensive systems. They typically have from four to eight “cores” with some having even more. Prices run from $1000-$3000 for most models and they are very fast when multitasking or doing other intensive work. Each of these have gone through updates and upgrades denoted by the term “generation”. Current models are usually designated as “fourth generation” chips.
AMD has similar chips usually designated by a number or word and an “x-**” indicator that tells how many cores are available on that chip. I have seen AMD chips that are X2, X3, X4, X6, X8 and X12 systems. Prices generally are about $100-$200 less for computers using these chips than you would pay for the Intel version. Gamers often prefer the AMD chips and business likes Intel. Graphics people seem to like both, so choose which you like best, and always remember to back up anything on your computer that is important to you.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 33 years, 26 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or shaun@musicomp.net.