How to Choose the Right Processor Speed for a Computer

A computer processor, often considered the brains of the machine, has the most significant effect on performance and price. If you want a computer to be able to keep up with technology over the next few years you should invest in a fast processor.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computers

1. Think about what you will be doing with your computer for the next 3 years. That is about the timeframe for machines these days.

2. If you are just using your machine for casual use, such as word processing, web browsing and the occasional card game, consider an Intel Pentium Dual Core or AMD Sempron processor. If you prefer Macintosh machines, look into an Intel Core 2 Duo.

3. If you are a middle of the road user, who likes all of the above things but also the occasional heavier game and multimedia use (i.e. pictures and mp3s), an Intel Quad Core would be better. The Quad Core is also great for heavy online multimedia games and heavier multimedia use.

4. If Macintoshes are your taste and you are a heavier user, the Intel Dual Quad Core processors can take care of all your needs.

5. If your budget allows it, try and spend as much as you can on the fastest processor. This is because technology evolves at a very fast pace and your machine will be able to keep up after a few years.

Tips & Warnings

• For the average user, a midlevel processor will work great. Always make sure you order as much RAM to help the processor do it’s very best job. They work together!
• Try to avoid the bargain basement processors; they are usually included with machines that won’t last thru the year, built with cheap parts.

[sozain]

on 5/7/2009 hi i need help to make a project on processor design and [e-mail]@yahoo.com

[benzon]

on 2/12/2009 Hi, how to delete hard disk partition

[Heiroglyphics]

on 10/9/2008 I never said ALL i said just their best...

[Heiroglyphics]

on 3/9/2008 AMD's best L2 cache speed doesn't beat Intel's best L2 cache.

[Andlynx]

on 11/7/2006 You simply CAN'T say that all AMD processors are slow. Intel Celeron and AMD Sempron are value processors, but the rest of the AMD line is even faster than Intel's.