What is the Best Computer Processor

 Computer Hardware  No Responses »
Sep 302011
 

If you are asked to name one prime factor that affects the performance of a computer most, what would it be? Unarguably, that factor is the operation speed of your computer’s processor. The processor is the brain of your PC and opting for a faster processor, enhances processor speed substantially. If you are curious about what is the best computer processor in the market today, this article has answers for you. Keep reading ahead to know which processor epitomizes the best and the most cutting edge advances in chip manufacturing today.

Before I present the chip which deserves to be called the best computer processor for laptop or desktop computers, let us analyze the features that would mark the best in business. That is, let us see what are the makings of the best computer processor in computer history.

Makings of the Best Computer Processor

What are the features that mark the best computer processor in the market? Let me try and answer this question. One of the prime parameters for evaluating the performance speed of any computer chip, is its clocking frequency. Higher the clocking frequency, higher the processing speed of the chip. Another factor is the number of cores and number of threads. More cores translate into more transistors on the chip and consequently more processing power. As a quad core vs dual core comparison will reveal, more number of cores enhances the processing speed substantially. The development of hyperthreading technology has made this possible for software programs to utilize the processing power of multiple cores simultaneously.

More the number of threads, better is the multitasking ability of the chip. Next what matters is the L2 and L3 cache sizes. If you are wondering what is processor cache, know that it’s the working memory of the processor where bits of frequently required data are stored for easy access. The more the size of these caches, faster is the processor’s operation. Also, if the processor has a separate integrated GPU, the graphic performance of the PC is enhanced substantially. What matters the most is the technology that can synergize the power offered by multiple cores to provide excellent overall performance.

There are two prime chip makers in the market today. The market leader is Intel, followed by AMD. In the next section, your question about what is the best computer processor in the market, will be answered.

Which is the Best Computer Processor to Buy?

As I said before, there are two prime brands in the form of Intel and AMD, that manufacture processors. As revealed by a head to head AMD vs Intel chips comparison, Intel is currently miles ahead of AMD in terms of technology. Not surprisingly, the best processor in the market is one from the Intel ultra high-end line, which I talk about, in the next section. Also listed are the best computer processors in the mid level and entry-level line offered by Intel and AMD.

The Best Computer Processor In the World – Intel Core i7 980X
Currently, the best computer processor on the market (2010) is the Intel core i7 980X. With a 32 nm architecture, the Intel core i7 980X has 6 cores and 12 threads in all! Forget quad core or dual core, the age of six core processors has dawned. With a 12 MB smart cache and 3.6 GHz of maximum clocking frequency, this is a beast of a processor, that can take multitasking to a whole new level. If you want the best in business and money is no issue, go for the i7 980X! This chip can bring out the best performance out of your computer hardware. It is priced at around $999. As an AMD Phenom II vs Intel i7 comparison would reveal, the former is the closest competitor to Intel’s power chip so far.

Best Computer Processor – Budget Choices
High-end processors like Intel core i7 980X can be overkill for the average user who needs it for basic applications. Also, the price of the top line Intel chip is too high. Here are the ‘also ran’ in the best processor race, which are nevertheless some of the best performing processors in their price range categories. These are the best computer processors to buy on a limited budget.

Your query about what is the best computer processor on the market has been answered. The processors listed above offer the highest processing speeds on the planet currently. These chips offer performance which can match the supercomputers of recent past. Software manufacturers are still catching up to fully utilize the power of multicore processors. If you want the best performing computer in the market, you know which processor to opt for currently!

 Posted by at 4:36 am  Tagged with:

Different Types of Hardware

 Computer Hardware  No Responses »
Sep 302011
 

Due to advancements in Information Technology (IT), there have been various technologies that are being used all over the world. And when it comes to technology, a combination of hardware and software is evident. There are many different types of hardware and software that we use in our day-to-day lives, be it at a personal or professional level. Day by day new computer hardware technology is being put to use. In the following, we are going to get to know more about different types of computer hardware.

What are the Different Types of Hardware Devices?

The types of hardware devices mentioned below are individual components which play a very important role in making the operation of the system possible. This is just a brief explanation of all parts.

Motherboard
This is the most important type of computer hardware. It is a circuit board, whereon different parts of the system are set up. All input devices work when they are connected to the motherboard. RAM, CPU, and other crucial peripherals are installed on the computer motherboard. You can say that this is what runs the whole computer system.

Random Access Memory (RAM)
The RAM is a small chip that fits on the motherboard. It does the job of storing data on a temporary basis. RAM chips are generally available from 256 MB to 6 GB or more and are upgradeable. The more the RAM, the faster the computer system will function.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The CPU is a small chip installed on the motherboard that does the job of running computer programs. It is more commonly referred to as the computer processor. The speed of computer functioning also depends a lot on the processor’s capacity. Without the CPU, you will not be able to play games, browse the web, or run any other applications on the system.

Hard Drive
The hard drive is where all the program files are stored for retrieval or further operation. There are many storage capacities of hard drives which normally range from 80 GB to 1 TB or more. External hard drives are also available nowadays with a storage capacity of around 8 TB.

Power Supply Unit
As the name suggests, this device is responsible for providing the system with power to function. It is an electrical box fitted inside at the back of the cabinet, which connects to and powers the motherboard, disk drives, and other similar components. It also has a fan for cooling purpose in case of overheating.

Miscellaneous Computer Hardware
The above mentioned different types of hardware were only the basic ones. There are many other parts which can be considered as computer hardware. The floppy drive is one hardware component that accepts the floppy for data processing. Today no one uses these drives though. The computer keyboard is another essential part of computer hardware which allows the user to control the programs and commands. The keyboard is then accompanied by the computer mouse that is an input device which helps the user select programs on the screen.

The computer monitor is another important hardware that at present comes in the conventional CRT, LCD and plasma types. The printer and scanner are computer hardware which are mostly used in offices. Nowadays, both these two devices come in a single device for better space and energy consumption. Pen drives are small but extremely useful peripherals of computers. These are the ones which have substantially reduced the use of data CDs to transfer files and media. DVD drives are parts of computer which can be used for viewing data from DVDs.

These are just a few different types of hardware devices used in information technology. There are many others such as audio and video graphic cards, router, modem, PCI cards, cabinet, etc. The types and specifications of these computer hardware devices cannot be certain, as many useful advanced technologies are being introduced in them lately.

 Posted by at 2:19 am  Tagged with:

nput Devices for a Computer

 Computer Hardware  No Responses »
Sep 252011
 

Computers are used by almost everyone for personal and professional purposes. Some years ago, Information Technology (IT) was not that developed, so the use of computer accessories and I/O devices was limited. However, today you will find a wide range of advanced input devices for a computer. If you are wondering what is input device, note that any computer hardware equipment which is used to add information or control PC functions is known as an input device. Let us get to know more about computer input devices without going much into the technicalities.

Types of Input Devices for a Computer

Keyboards
Computer keyboards are one of the most traditional input devices used even today. They have alphabetical, numerical, and functional keys which help the user to type in commands for computer operations. Nowadays, you will even find keyboards specifically meant to be used for gaming purposes. Backlit keyboards are also available for easy operation in dark conditions.

Mice
Just like the keyboard, mouse is another very important input device for a computer system. It is used to control the pointer on the screen for selecting matter and clicking on icons on the interface. The latest developments in computer mice are that they can even be used wirelessly on PCs and some are mainly used for gaming. Most of the interface operation controls are done by the mouse.

Joysticks
Joysticks are primarily used for computer gaming. These are input devices that are connected to a computer to manage game controls such as moving front, behind and sideways, shooting, or other gaming tasks. The devices are believed to make the gaming experience more enjoyable. As a result, hardcore games prefer joysticks over keyboard controls.

Headsets
Headsets are headphones with microphones for online verbal communication. Headsets particularly meant for talking have just one speaker, with a microphone. Whereas, others have two, which can also be used for communication purposes, listening to music, or gaming without disturbing others. You can connect these devices to the computer using either a standard 3.5 mm jack or a USB connection.

Scanners
Scanners are widely used for professional communication. Image scanners do the job of making a soft copy image of printed materials, pictures, or even objects. These are very useful in transferring documents from one office to the other in just no time. Today, scanning machines are even available in advanced printer combos available in computer stores.

Webcams
‘Webcam’ is a term referred to ‘web camera’. This is a small camera mounted on a desktop or built in a laptop, which does the job of viewing and capturing real-time live videos of the subject. These are mainly used for video chat such as in ‘Skype’. These devices function with the help of a software and an Internet connection. They can even be used to record a home video and post it on the web.

Touchpads
Touchpad or trackpad is a term that is typically associated with the input control on laptop computers. A touchpad is a sensitive surface which, when moved a finger on, detects the motion of the user’s finger and controls the pointer on the screen. On laptops, it works very much in the same way as a computer mouse. It is also used on iPod models with the click wheel.

Touchscreens
Touchscreens are one of the latest developments in the computer technology. As the name suggests, these screens can be operated by just touching the appropriate place on the screen surface. Such screens can be found on laptops, PDAs, mobile phones, entertainment devices, and many other latest gizmos. You can control touchscreen functions using your fingertips or using a stylus tool.

You can read these Buzzle articles for more information:

* Different Types of Keyboards
    * What are the Main Parts of the Computer
* Computer Parts List

    * Basic Computer Parts
    * Computer Parts Information
    * Basic Computer Components

These are some of the commonly used input devices for a computer. With the advancements in IT, many more of such input devices may be invented in the future. Hopefully, this article might have provided you with good information on input devices available today.

 Posted by at 2:11 am  Tagged with:
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