Dumb Computer Question

[dawsongirl]

Ok, so I'm probably an idiot for not knowing this, but when you're looking at the specs of a computer, say to buy one, which number indicates how fast it is?

[moeee]

When you looking for a computer, and you see these kinds of numbers and symbols:

3.4 Ghz
3.3 Ghz
3.2 Ghz
3.1 Ghz
3.0 Ghz, and so on.....


that tells you how fast the computer is.

Computers that are in the 3.0 and up range are really fast.

[dawsongirl]

Awesome. Thanks.

[Lex Luthor]

How many MBs of RAM also shows how fast the computer will handle running multiple or intense graphic programs

[treky]

RAM stands for Random Access Memory

[I am Roboto]

Originally Posted by moeee

When you looking for a computer, and you see these kinds of numbers and symbols:

3.4 Ghz
3.3 Ghz
3.2 Ghz
3.1 Ghz
3.0 Ghz, and so on.....


that tells you how fast the computer is.

Computers that are in the 3.0 and up range are really fast.

This is not entirely true and is a longstanding myth - , AMD K8 is MUCH MUCH MUCH faster than NetBurst (Celeron D/Pentium 4/Pentium D) CPUs due to increased IPC - it does this with a much lower clockspeed because Intel NetBurst CPUs use an exceptionally long execution pipeline to achieve stratospheric clockspeed for the sole purpose of marketing.

If the choice is between a Pentium 4, Pentium D, or Celeron D, in general, the Athlon 64 will be faster, especially for gaming and video editing - there is an old rule to use a 2/3 ratio for K8 to NetBurst - AMD64 CPUs only need 2/3 the clockspeed to match their Intel rivals.

However, Intel has recently (July of last year) introduced a new architecture called "Core" which is a descendant of the Pentium M (and the P3 Tualitan all the back to the PPRO before it) which is faster than anything out there on the market including AMD64 AND NetBurst CPUS - the rock bottom entry level Core 2 Duo EE6300 will blow away all NetBurst CPUs and all but the X2 5000+ Series AThlon 64's - if you have the option to go for Core 2 Duo, do it!

To some up, don't get sucked into the MHz Myth - you will end up paying more for a lower performing computer by doing so.

[moeee]

Originally Posted by I am Roboto

This is not entirely true and is a longstanding myth - , AMD K8 is MUCH MUCH MUCH faster than NetBurst (Celeron D/Pentium 4/Pentium D) CPUs due to increased IPC - it does this with a much lower clockspeed because Intel NetBurst CPUs use an exceptionally long execution pipeline to achieve stratospheric clockspeed for the sole purpose of marketing.

If the choice is between a Pentium 4, Pentium D, or Celeron D, in general, the Athlon 64 will be faster, especially for gaming and video editing - there is an old rule to use a 2/3 ratio for K8 to NetBurst - AMD64 CPUs only need 2/3 the clockspeed to match their Intel rivals.

However, Intel has recently (July of last year) introduced a new architecture called "Core" which is a descendant of the Pentium M (and the P3 Tualitan all the back to the PPRO before it) which is faster than anything out there on the market including AMD64 AND NetBurst CPUS - the rock bottom entry level Core 2 Duo EE6300 will blow away all NetBurst CPUs and all but the X2 5000+ Series AThlon 64's - if you have the option to go for Core 2 Duo, do it!

To some up, don't get sucked into the MHz Myth - you will end up paying more for a lower performing computer by doing so.

You are right, but to the average person, they wouldnt understand what your talking about.