It’s all in the Process – Is Bigger Necessarily Better?

By: Thomas Hunter

It is said that processors determine the functionality of a personal computer. In a time when we believe that bigger is better, the same could be said for processors…or is this simply an old wives’ tale?

When selecting a processor for your computer, keep in mind that the type itself is not as important as its compatibility with the system’s motherboard. The motherboard, with its slots and other built-in components, must be able to work with the processor in order for the computer‘s capabilities to be utilized properly, as well as its host of upgrade potentials to be exploited as effectively as possible. The computer’s motherboard holds the computer's processor chip in place and then in turn allows all the other components to connect up to it.

In the “old” days of computing, the Intel 8080 was the first processor on one chip that was used for the personal computer market. It was first manufactured in 1974. These days we are in the age of the Pentium 4, also manufactured by Intel, which can run the same processes as the 1974 Pentium. This newer version can run at more than 5,000 times the speed. What has caused this increase in speed? The answer, for a large part, lies with the number of transistors. The more transistors a processor holds, the quicker commands may be processed. The Pentium 4 "Prescott," for example, holds 125,000,000 transistors, which hugely increases the processor’s clock speed, by allowing for the execution of several concurrent commands.

Another functionality improving aspect of a processing is its data width. The good old Intel 8080 offered a mere 8 bits of width, while the Pentium 4 "Prescott” sports an impressive 32 bits and 64-bit bus. These innovations greatly enhance a personal computer’s performance, yet how do users truly benefit?

While those computer users who do extensive video or photographic editing on a variety of large images will most certainly need this 64-bit technology, the average computer user who creates word documents, visits chat rooms, reads e-mail, and perhaps browses the Internet will not use the processor to its full capabilities and hence will not need the latest and the greatest processor. Thus, should you consider upgrading your computer processor or perhaps replacing it with another mode? You should keep in mind that, unless you are truly using it to its full capacity with some of the applications mentioned above, it will essentially allow for two main improvements:

1. Programs which have specifically high processor requirements may be run.

2. The computer system will open and load computer programs at higher speeds. This increase in speed is very often unnoticeable to the average user, unless a significantly older processor is exchanged for a significantly newer model.

So what should an average computer user consider prior to sticking a toe into the murky waters of computer processor purchasing and upgrading? Here is a list of three important questions:

1. Do you really need to incur the expense of upgrading your processor? Bigger might be better, but would you really notice the improvement? If you are already running a processor that it less than four years old, and if your computer use is truly average, you will most likely not notice any benefit of a bigger, better processor. Instead, you leave yourself open to the headache of installing a new component, which may bring with it a host of opportunities for capability issues, extensive troubleshooting sessions in case of faulty installation, and a waste of money if you do not truly utilize it to its full potential.

2. How old is your currently used personal computer? While the familiarity with an old machine is most certainly comforting in day to day work, it might be more cost effective to upgrade the entire system rather than just the processor -- especially if the increased functionality of the processor requires the addition or upgrade of other system components. This is an important consideration when it comes to the attached video and audio output capabilities.

3. Who manufactured your motherboard? If you system is relatively new, and you decide that a processor upgrade is the best course of action, please remember that the new processor actually needs to be totally and completely compatible with the motherboard!


Wake Up Richer Every Morning... Instant Internet Business Makes Money Automatically... Thomas Hunter is an Internet marketer, author and publisher and has helped hundreds of people become successful Niche Marketers. Explore the highly profitable world of Niche Marketing at http://SixFigureNiches.com our popular website.
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