Introducing the Processor | The Brains of the PC Introduction:
The processor (often called the CPU or central processing unit) is really the brains of the PC. Its also the central component of the PC, vital for every single thing a PC does. It determines which operating systems [Windows, Mac, Linux, Unix etc] can be used and which software [applications] the PC can run. It also effects how much energy the PC uses. depending on the processor used is the overall system cost of a computer system: the more powerful the processor, the more expensive the computer will be.
Note: Sometimes the processor will be called a microprocessor; means the same thing as CPU.
Types of CPU:
This is quite a complex subject but for novices, all you really need to know is the following:
• Number of cores (a bit like number of brains) - single, dual, triple or quad (you can have multiple of these, so there are 8-core computers etc)
• The manufacturer of the CPU - Intel, AMD, VIA are the main ones.
• The speed of the CPU - how fast it can carry out calculations.
Generally speaking, the more cores and the faster their speed, the more powerful the CPU, but also the more expensive it will be. Bear in mind the so-called Moore's Law, which states that the number of transistors on a chip will double about every 18-24 months. Gordon Moore was a founder of Intel and made this statement in 1965. Its not meant to be a scientific statement but its generally accepted that it holds true as a 'rule of thumb'. Note that it isn't that the power or speed of a the CPU will double but in general terms it can be taken as saying that computer processors get faster and more powerful all the time and that every 18-24 months will see these things double.
For practical purposes this means that the computer you buy now will be out of date almost as soon as you unpack it and that in a couple of years it will be obsolete compared to what you will be able to buy then. However, this doesn't mean you should scrap it and buy a new one. As long as your needs haven't radically changed your PC will still have years of useful service left. I still have a working PC that is five years old and a couple that are still usable after ten or more years (all three are Macs - no PC have ever bought or built has lasted three years wthut major breakdowns).
Which one?
Well, this is very much horses for courses, as we say in England! My advice is ask yourself what you want to do with your PC first and then use my checklist below as a guide:
Basic use (£299 - £499):
Writing (word processing), email and general internet browsing. Basic photo-editing, multimedia (Listening to music and watching DVD's) and basic spreadsheet and database work.
Recommend:
Minimum specification - Single Core CPU @ 2GHz, 1 Gigabyte RAM, 80GB Hard Disk. Intel or AMD. 17" TFT monitor.
Ideal specification - Dual Core CPU @ 2GHz, 1 Gigabyte RAM, 120GB Hard Disk. Intel or AMD. 19" TFT.
Intermediate use (£499 - £999:
Professional use - such as photo-editing (Photoshop, Aperture, Adobe Lightroom) or office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and similar). Also desktop publishing (Quark, Adobe InDesign) and web design (Flash, Dreamweaver and Freeway). Basic video-editing (iMovie, Pinnacle Studio) or basic music editing (GarageBand, Magix Music Maker and Adobe Audition).
Recommend:
Minimum specification - Dual Core CPU @ GHz, 2 Gigabyte RAM, 160GB Hard Disk. Intel or AMD. 19" TFT.
Ideal specification - Triple or Quad Core @ @ GHz, 4 Gigabyte RAM, 500GB Hard Disk. Intel or AMD. 20" TFT.
Heavy duty use (£999 - £4,000:
Professional video-editing (Adobe After Effects, Apple Final Cut Studio), professional 3D graphics (Maya, XSi, Cinema 4D) or professional music creation and editing (Apple Logic Studio. Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase).
Recommend:
Minimum specification - Quad Core @ 2.5GHz, 4 Gigabyte RAM, 500GB Hard Disk. Pro 3D Graphics card. Note: Intel CPU is generally faster than AMD at the moment at the same price point. 22" TFT.
Ideal specification - Quad Core or Dual Quad Core @ 2.5GHz, 8 Gigabyte RAM, 1000GB Hard Disk. Pro 3D Graphics card or multiple. Note: Intel CPU is generally faster than AMD at the moment at the
same price point. 30" TFT.
Notes:
1. This is not meant to be definitive but only a guide. Remember that prices and specifications are changing all the time.
2. Bear in mind what changes in your needs may arise over the next 18-24 months. For example, if you are interested in home movies but may wish to do more serious stuff later then either buy the best specification you can afford now or a PC that can be upgraded. Desktops are easier to upgrade than laptops (some laptops can't upgrade their graphics capability important for video editing and 3d animation).
3. Shop around for the best deals. Use online tools like Kelkoo and Google Product Search and don't be afraid to ask for discounts. Alternatively, once you know which PC you wish to buy, see if you can't get it with cashback using one of the many cashback sites (search cashback on Google).
So, that's an introduction into choosing your CPU/PC.
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Contributor's Note
This is not meant to be definitive but only a guide. Remember that prices and specifications are changing all the time.
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