Buyers Guide

thecustompc_com · 07-04-2006, 09:45 PM

Buyers Guide - Choosing A Processor by ***REMOVED***

You might think this is the most important component that will determine your systems overall speed, Well you are right but make sure you don't spend all your money on buying the processor as the processor speed wont mean anything if you don't buy the right memory, Storage device and motherboard.

How Is A Processors Speed Measured?
Every processor has a speed rating which is measured in MHZ. 1000mhz is usually addressed as 1gig so a 3.2gig processor would be 3200mhz. Intel's processors are usually called Intel Pentium 4 3.2gig. So you know that the processor speed is 3200mhz. But be careful with AMD as they name there processors AMD Athlon 3200+ / 4500+ but 3200 and 4500 does not mean that the processor speeds are 3200mhz and 4500mhz, the mhz rating will be much less than this number and is sometimes in small print so watch out.

Do I Need A 64 Bit Processor?
Your software will only benefit from a 64 bit processor if you install an operating system which supports 64 bit. But be aware that some programs / games do not run on 64 bit operating systems.

Do I Need A Processor With Cache?
The more cache a processor has the faster it will be able to perform. Budget processors usually come with 128-512k of cache, Whilst the higher spec processors will come with 1-2mb (1024-2048k) of cache

How Many Cores Do I Need
You might of heard of something called a dual core processor, This is a single processor that has two cores inside it. Each core acts like a single processor, So a processor will act as two because it has 2 processor chips (Dual Cores) inside it.

You will benefit from a dual core processor if you run more than one program at a time. For our entry system you will not benefit from having a dual core because you are not running processor hungary programs and you are also not running many programs at once.

The dual core processors share the processing that a system needs to do which makes this processor a must for our top of the range system.

Which Processor Brand Shall I buy?
In recent years AMD have really taken over the market from Intel. The recent AMD processors have been out performing intel's pentium processor range. AMD have also been packing in gaming performance enhancements in to there processors which makes AMD the clear choice for anyone.

Which AMD Processor Shall I Buy?
AMD's processors include, The budget sempron, which is a low spec processor that will be used in our budget system. The sempron processor does not have a dual core and doesn't have much cache.

The next step up processor is called an Athlon 64 processor. 64 means that the processor is 64 bit, some operating systems and software will greatly benefit and perform better from your system having a 64 bit processor. The amount of cache a processor will have vary's, If possible pick the processor with the most cache. We will use the Athlon 64 processor for our Mid Range System.

The top end processors are called AMD Athlon 64 X2, The X2 means its a dual core processor. And the other processor is called Athlon 64 FX, Which is also a dual core processor Personally if I was building a top of the range system I would use these processors as they have been proven again and again that they out perform the Intel processors.

Which Intel Processor Shall I Buy?
Please be aware that sometimes Intel call dual core hyper threading

The intel lineup is a bit of a mess as they have released so many processors, But I will put them in to three bands. The intel processors are similar to AMD as they have budget and dual core processors.

Intel celeron, celeron D and Pentium M are all budget processors and will be used in our entry system. Just like the AMD processors all of these processors are single core and not much cache.

We have a wide range of mid range processors. There is the single core Pentium 4 processor, The lower rated dual core Pentium 4's, The dual core Pentium D and Pentium 4 Extreme edition processor. To make matters even worse some processors come in 64bit versions as well. I would say for the mid range system pick a dual core processor and I personally would go for the Pentium 4 Dual core processor.

The top of the range processors are a bit easier to pick out. You have the top of the range Pentium 4 dual core processors and you also have Pentium D 800+ processors. These Pentium D processors are the fastest processors that Intel have released and this is what we are going to put in to our top of the range system.

Bobo · 07-04-2006, 10:20 PM

Not trying to be critical, but I have a lot to say about this one:

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecustompc_com

How Is A Processors Speed Measured?
Intel's processors are usually called Intel Pentium 4 3.2gig.

In computer jargon a "gig" refers to a gigabyte, not a gigahertz

Quote:

But be careful with AMD as they name there processors AMD Athlon 3200+ / 4500+ but 3200 and 4500 does not mean that the processor speeds are 3200mhz and 4500mhz, the mhz rating will be much less than this number and is sometimes in small print so watch out.

Intel does the same thing with their all newer processors,(e.g. core duo T2660) and many of the older ones (P4 530)

Quote:

Do I Need A 64 Bit Processor?
Your software will only benefit from a 64 bit processor if you install an operating system which supports 64 bit. But be aware that some programs / games do not run on 64 bit operating systems.

Most users have 32-bit Windows. But do keep in mind that Vista will work much better with 64-bit

Quote:

Do I Need A Processor With Cache?
The more cache a processor has the faster it will be able to perform. Budget processors usually come with 128-512k of cache, Whilst the higher spec processors will come with 1-2mb (1024-2048k) of cache

There are no processors without a cache

Quote:

You will benefit from a dual core processor if you run more than one program at a time. For our entry system you will not benefit from having a dual core because you are not running processor hungary programs and you are also not running many programs at once.

Not many programs work like that, having one program on each core. If you want to do that, you need to designate each program to its own core. Generally a dual-core processor does not double performance of a single core processor, the performance gain is more on the range of 60%

Quote:

In recent years AMD have really taken over the market from Intel. The recent AMD processors have been out performing intel's pentium processor range. AMD have also been packing in gaming performance enhancements in to there processors which makes AMD the clear choice for anyone.

AMD has not taken over the processor market, only gained a larger share of it. Keep in mind that Intel is bringing out a new processor in 20 days

Quote:

Which AMD Processor Shall I Buy?
AMD's processors include, The budget sempron, which is a low spec processor that will be used in our budget system. The sempron processor does not have a dual core and doesn't have much cache.

Many Semprons are 64-bit

Quote:

And the other processor is called Athlon 64 FX, Which is also a dual core processor

The only FXes that are dual-core are the FX-62 and the FX-60, which are socket AM2 and just came out. The FX-57, 55, and 53 are all single-core

Quote:

Personally if I was building a top of the range system I would use these processors as they have been proven again and again that they out perform the Intel processors.

The FX series is overpriced, and useful only for a high-end gaming rig, which takes andvantage of only 1 core. For a top of the line general-use computer, you would look into a high X2

Quote:

Which Intel Processor Shall I Buy?
Please be aware that sometimes Intel call dual core hyper threading

No they don't, they differentiate quite clearly between the two.

Quote:

Intel celeron, celeron D and Pentium M are all budget processors and will be used in our entry system. Just like the AMD processors all of these processors are single core and not much cache.

Pentium Ms are not budget processors, they are mobile processors

Quote:

and I personally would go for the Pentium 4 Dual core processor.

There is no such thing, they are Pentium Ds

Quote:

The top of the range processors are a bit easier to pick out. You have the top of the range Pentium 4 dual core processors and you also have Pentium D 800+ processors.

Once again, there are no P4 dual cores, they are Pentium Ds.

Quote:

These Pentium D processors are the fastest processors that Intel have released and this is what we are going to put in to our top of the range system.

What happened to the Extreme Edition processors? They are much more expensive than the Pentium Ds, and supposedly higher performance, though horribly overpriced.

Ouch, that was long.

Please don't think that I am trying to insult you, I am only trying to help. But sometimes I have trouble giving constructive criticism.

thecustompc_com · 07-04-2006, 10:33 PM

Not a problem, You are right in what you said above, But I wrote this document for someone who has very little computer knowledge, But I will change a few things, Thanks

k9sabian · 07-04-2006, 10:34 PM

You totally pulled that apart, and even wrote a pre-rip disclaimer. But, the things you said aren't wrong, Bobo. It must be hard to write a COMPLETE and FULL guide though.

Bobo · 07-04-2006, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecustompc_com

But I wrote this document for someone who has very little computer knowledge

I understand that. And I also understand how incredibly hard it is to make someone with very little computer knowledge understand how the individual components work.

Clutch · 07-04-2006, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecustompc_com

I wrote this document for someone who has very little computer knowledge

So you wrote this document for yourself?

You really need to research the subject more before you go and put out incorrect information which beginners are likely to believe.

Oh, and is this just an ill-fated stunt attempting to gain publicity for your site?

m0nk3ys1ms · 07-05-2006, 12:01 AM

i smell a spammer......

jp198780 · 07-05-2006, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkeysims

i smell a spammer......

i was thinking the same, he's sounds legit in his other thread.

diduknowthat · 07-05-2006, 12:03 AM

actually, the FX-60 is dual core

And pentium D 800+ is not the fastest PD's, the 805 and 820 only clocks in at 2.66ghz and 2.8ghz. ON the other hand, the 960 clocks in at 3.6ghz

Bobo · 07-05-2006, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clutch

So you wrote this document for yourself?

You really need to research the subject more before you go and put out incorrect information which beginners are likely to believe.

Oh, and is this just an ill-fated stunt attempting to gain publicity for your site?

Is there any reason to be mean?

Quote:

i smell a spammer......

I don't think so

Quote:

actually, the FX-60 is dual core

Yep, I changed that

Quote:

And pentium D 800+ is not the fastest PD's, the 805 and 820 only clocks in at 2.66ghz and 2.8ghz. ON the other hand, the 960 clocks in at 3.6ghz Today 07:03 PM

There is no such thing as a Pentium D 800+. He meant PD 800 and up. And while it is badly worded, it isn't totally wrong.

07-04-2006, 09:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
thecustompc_com banned Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3	Buyers Guide - Choosing A Processor Buyers Guide - Choosing A Processor by *REMOVED* You might think this is the most important component that will determine your systems overall speed, Well you are right but make sure you don't spend all your money on buying the processor as the processor speed wont mean anything if you don't buy the right memory, Storage device and motherboard. How Is A Processors Speed Measured? Every processor has a speed rating which is measured in MHZ. 1000mhz is usually addressed as 1gig so a 3.2gig processor would be 3200mhz. Intel's processors are usually called Intel Pentium 4 3.2gig. So you know that the processor speed is 3200mhz. But be careful with AMD as they name there processors AMD Athlon 3200+ / 4500+ but 3200 and 4500 does not mean that the processor speeds are 3200mhz and 4500mhz, the mhz rating will be much less than this number and is sometimes in small print so watch out. Do I Need A 64 Bit Processor? Your software will only benefit from a 64 bit processor if you install an operating system which supports 64 bit. But be aware that some programs / games do not run on 64 bit operating systems. Do I Need A Processor With Cache? The more cache a processor has the faster it will be able to perform. Budget processors usually come with 128-512k of cache, Whilst the higher spec processors will come with 1-2mb (1024-2048k) of cache How Many Cores Do I Need You might of heard of something called a dual core processor, This is a single processor that has two cores inside it. Each core acts like a single processor, So a processor will act as two because it has 2 processor chips (Dual Cores) inside it. You will benefit from a dual core processor if you run more than one program at a time. For our entry system you will not benefit from having a dual core because you are not running processor hungary programs and you are also not running many programs at once. The dual core processors share the processing that a system needs to do which makes this processor a must for our top of the range system. Which Processor Brand Shall I buy? In recent years AMD have really taken over the market from Intel. The recent AMD processors have been out performing intel's pentium processor range. AMD have also been packing in gaming performance enhancements in to there processors which makes AMD the clear choice for anyone. Which AMD Processor Shall I Buy? AMD's processors include, The budget sempron, which is a low spec processor that will be used in our budget system. The sempron processor does not have a dual core and doesn't have much cache. The next step up processor is called an Athlon 64 processor. 64 means that the processor is 64 bit, some operating systems and software will greatly benefit and perform better from your system having a 64 bit processor. The amount of cache a processor will have vary's, If possible pick the processor with the most cache. We will use the Athlon 64 processor for our Mid Range System. The top end processors are called AMD Athlon 64 X2, The X2 means its a dual core processor. And the other processor is called Athlon 64 FX, Which is also a dual core processor Personally if I was building a top of the range system I would use these processors as they have been proven again and again that they out perform the Intel processors. Which Intel Processor Shall I Buy? Please be aware that sometimes Intel call dual core hyper threading The intel lineup is a bit of a mess as they have released so many processors, But I will put them in to three bands. The intel processors are similar to AMD as they have budget and dual core processors. Intel celeron, celeron D and Pentium M are all budget processors and will be used in our entry system. Just like the AMD processors all of these processors are single core and not much cache. We have a wide range of mid range processors. There is the single core Pentium 4 processor, The lower rated dual core Pentium 4's, The dual core Pentium D and Pentium 4 Extreme edition processor. To make matters even worse some processors come in 64bit versions as well. I would say for the mid range system pick a dual core processor and I personally would go for the Pentium 4 Dual core processor. The top of the range processors are a bit easier to pick out. You have the top of the range Pentium 4 dual core processors and you also have Pentium D 800+ processors. These Pentium D processors are the fastest processors that Intel have released and this is what we are going to put in to our top of the range system. Last edited by SFR; 07-05-2006 at 12:32 AM.

07-04-2006, 10:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
k9sabian New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Kent, UK Age: 27 Posts: 13	Haha You totally pulled that apart, and even wrote a pre-rip disclaimer. But, the things you said aren't wrong, Bobo. It must be hard to write a COMPLETE and FULL guide though. __________________ Athlon 64 X2 4400+ 2Ghz Corsair 2T DDR Geforce 6800GT with zalman fan Lanparty DFI Ultra D Audigy 4 pro (5.1 modified creative speakers) 150Gb 10,000rpm raptor 16Mb cache 300Gb external 19" NEC TFT 4ms (dual view with 20" CRT panasonic TV Coolermaster ATX case with 8" intake, and 8" exhaust 580 True watts Hiper R PSU Running on MCE SP2 and Knoppix

07-05-2006, 12:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
m0nk3ys1ms Diamond Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hanover, IN Age: 16 Posts: 4,279	i smell a spammer...... __________________ Soon to be new rig: CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 w/ AC Freezer 7 Pro Mobo: DFI BloodIron P35-T2RL GPU: ASUS Radeon HD4850 512MB RAM: 4GB G.SKILL DDR2-800 PSU: Rosewill 550W HDD: 250GB Seagate (16MB Cache) Monitor: 27" LCD Sound: Logitech X-530 (5.1) OS: Vista Ultimate x64

07-05-2006, 12:03 AM	#9 (permalink)
diduknowthat formerly liuliuboy Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Massachusetts Age: 17 Posts: 6,162	actually, the FX-60 is dual core And pentium D 800+ is not the fastest PD's, the 805 and 820 only clocks in at 2.66ghz and 2.8ghz. ON the other hand, the 960 clocks in at 3.6ghz __________________ Silent Tuned \| 3D Marks 06: 11566 Q6600 2.4ghz CPU \| Gigabyte GA-P35 LGA 775 MB EVGA 8800gt 512mb Video Card G.Skill 4GB Ram \| Western Digital 400GB HD X-Fi Xtrememusic Sound Card Antec P180B Case \| Scythe Ninja HSF CM Real Power Pro 650watt PSU

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07-04-2006, 10:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
thecustompc_com banned Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3	Not a problem, You are right in what you said above, But I wrote this document for someone who has very little computer knowledge, But I will change a few things, Thanks