What You Need to Know about Processor Speed

Processor speed is one of an important factors to think about if you are likely to buy a computer. Various kinds of processors exist, some made for laptops and others for desktop computers. Using the overclocking method, a processor can be made to run faster than it had been originally planned to.

The processor speed or clock speed determines how fast the computer will carry out operations and computations. Speed is calculated in hertz. It is usually referred to as the CPU (central processing unit) speed.

Clock Speed Measurements

Computers run at very high frequencies, so megahertz and gigahertz are used to express their speed. A single megahertz is equivalent to a million cycles per second. The gigahertz is equivalent to one billion cycles every second.

If a computer is advertised as running at 2.4GHz, it means the processor can perform 2,400,000,000 cycles per second. A working laptop or computer that runs at 800MHz can perform 800,000,000 cycles every second.

Multiple Cores

Majority of today’s computers have dual core processors. What this implies is that break up processors can function in parallel. Dual core processors are common but in addition there are triple and quad processors available.

Types

There are many types of processors. Some are created for desktop computers, while some are made for laptops, mobile devices and notebooks. Manufacturers can make different processors. For example, Intel makes the Celeron, Pentium and Core processors. Every one is really a processor family with many variants.

AMD produces their own processors: the Sempron, Athlon and Phenom. AMD uses the Radneon processors for notebooks. Intel uses the Celeron and Core processors for laptops.

There are many other kinds of processors available. A processor is made for a specific computer (i.e., upgrade, built from scratch or pre-assembled).

What's the Socket?

The socket contains the processor. Both the socket and processor are on the motherboard. There is no standard socket design; it usually changes when the processor is modified. Some socket designs can be used with other processors.

Others cannot; once you change the processor, the socket has to be changed too. In some cases, you have to replace the motherboard too when upgrading the processor.

Overclocking and Processor Speed

Overclocking is a way used to increase the speed of the processor. This really is attained by increasing the speed with the motherboard bus. The voltage of the facility towards the CPU can also be increased. This can make the computer run faster. However it produces more heat. Overclocking may damage some components.

Overclocking first came into being during the early 1990s. It had been a fancy process. One had to open the computer casing and switch jumpers for the motherboard. The jumper positions determined the bus speed. By changing them, the pc could be forced to operate at higher speed.

Today it is far simpler. You just have to reboot the computer and go towards the BIOS settings. There you’ll be capable of change the bus settings.

While processor speed is important, so may be the Random Access Memory (RAM). If you are going to buy a computer, you need to take a look at the hard disk, video card and other components too. Choosing a Desktop Replacement Laptop 64-Bit Operating System - Do I