How to Buy Desktop Computers With Fast Processors

The processor, or CPU, is an important variable in overall computer performance

The processor, or CPU, is the part of the computer responsible for performing mathematical operations and allocating resources. It plays a major role in the overall speed and performance of a computer.

Processor Speed

Processor speed is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), and is a measure of the number of operations that a computer can complete per second. A higher GHz rating indicates a faster CPU, which translates to faster computer performance.

Processor Configuration

Computers are available in single-core, dual-core and quad-core configurations. A computer with a quad-core configuration is not necessarily four times faster than a single-core computer, and in some cases may not be faster at all as many programs are not able to utilize more than one processor at a time.

Front Side Bus

The Front Side Bus, or FSB, forms the connection between the CPU and the system memory. A faster FSB will allow the CPU to access the system memory more quickly, resulting in an overall faster computer performance.

Cache

The Cache is a form of short-term memory that saves recently used information for faster retrieval. The larger the cache size, the more information that can be stored in it. A bigger cache allows the CPU to operate more efficiently and improves overall system performance.

References

• Top Bits - CPU Speed
• Computer Hope - How do I Determine the Speed of my Processor?