why Hertz?

chrisalviola · 11-22-2006, 07:20 AM

I was just wondering why the processor speed is measured in Hz, Hertz is cycles/sec and used in alternating currents or AC power source because they change polarities from negative to positive like a wave form.

And is a computer a digital device and uses binary data like 1’s and 0’s and the processor is made of millions of transistors to switch these 1 as on and 0 as off, so if processors use 1 and 0 to compute data’s why is it measured in HZ?

**The_Other_One** · 11-22-2006, 07:32 AM

Well, I'm not really good at this stuff, so I guess I shouldn't even answer ;P However, I beleive it's done so because the processor works with 1's(on) or 0's(off) So 1 is up on the wave, 0 is level(on 0) Realize it's not a sin curve or anything, just on and off. Then the frequency is how many times the chart goes up and down, correct? So the more times the processor can switch between 1 and 0, the more Hz you'll have.

chrisalviola · 11-22-2006, 07:37 AM

this picture shown here is 1 complete cycle or 1hz

so if you say 1 and 0 is needed for a complete cycle?
what if you have 101110111?

**Archangel** · 11-22-2006, 08:35 AM

A processor functions on a sixed clock frequentie.. only the inputs and outputs are variable.. the intern clock however is always 10101010101 etc.

also, herz defines the ammount of cycles per second.. this doesnt nececairely mean the cycle has to be a sine

**Cromewell** · 11-22-2006, 09:53 AM

It's self explanitory. CPUs can do x cycles per second as determined by the clock generator. One and zero are relative terms, it's just the high and low of the signal.

11-22-2006, 07:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
chrisalviola Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 866	why Hertz? I was just wondering why the processor speed is measured in Hz, Hertz is cycles/sec and used in alternating currents or AC power source because they change polarities from negative to positive like a wave form. And is a computer a digital device and uses binary data like 1’s and 0’s and the processor is made of millions of transistors to switch these 1 as on and 0 as off, so if processors use 1 and 0 to compute data’s why is it measured in HZ? Last edited by chrisalviola; 11-22-2006 at 07:39 AM.

11-22-2006, 07:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
The_Other_One Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lexington, NC Age: 23 Posts: 12,368	Well, I'm not really good at this stuff, so I guess I shouldn't even answer ;P However, I beleive it's done so because the processor works with 1's(on) or 0's(off) So 1 is up on the wave, 0 is level(on 0) Realize it's not a sin curve or anything, just on and off. Then the frequency is how many times the chart goes up and down, correct? So the more times the processor can switch between 1 and 0, the more Hz you'll have. __________________ Desktop * Athlon X2 4200 \| 2G RAM \| 160G HD \| 7600GT Laptop1 * C2D T5550 \| 3G RAM \| 120G HD \| Intel x3100 Laptop2 * C2D T5250 \| 2G RAM \| 160G HD \| Intel x3100

11-22-2006, 07:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
chrisalviola Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 866	this picture shown here is 1 complete cycle or 1hz so if you say 1 and 0 is needed for a complete cycle? what if you have 101110111? Last edited by chrisalviola; 11-22-2006 at 07:41 AM.

11-22-2006, 08:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
Archangel Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Netherlands Age: 21 Posts: 7,919	A processor functions on a sixed clock frequentie.. only the inputs and outputs are variable.. the intern clock however is always 10101010101 etc. also, herz defines the ammount of cycles per second.. this doesnt nececairely mean the cycle has to be a sine __________________ Newton is dead, Einstein is dead, I don't feel very well either Xfire - Mirrari Intel Q6600 ( @3.6GHz) Asus Triton 79 Amazing 549/3200 4x 1Gb Corsair XMS2 DDR800 Asus Maximus Formula Asus & Sapphire HD3870 512Mb ( 850/1180 ) Corsair HX620W PSU

11-22-2006, 09:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
Cromewell Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canada Age: 25 Posts: 10,115	It's self explanitory. CPUs can do x cycles per second as determined by the clock generator. One and zero are relative terms, it's just the high and low of the signal. __________________ You know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I go get and beat you with 'til ya understand who's in ruttin' command here. I must plug a couple comics because they are good :D: www.ctrlaltdel-online.com www.userfriendly.org

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