So you're ready to buy a computer. You've prepared the perfect horizontal surface, and now you're dreaming of the moment when you can sit down in your super ergonomic chair, turn on your shiny new computer, and surf the Web with reckless abandon. Of course, pages will load like lightening, and you'll run a zillion programs at once. Nothing will lag because your computer is so new and so fast that you'll think there are cheetahs inside.
But what makes the computer run lightening fast? And what do you need to know before making the purchase? With so many things to consider and so much information available from retailers and computer manufacturers, how do you make sense of it all?
When it comes to computer performance, you'll want to focus on three factors before you make a purchase:
So let's see how we can make sense of it all. And no snoring! This is important!
Processor architecture—how to get the cheetahs inside. Whether you're on a retailer's Web site or in the store, one of the first things you'll notice on the list of computer features (also referred to as specifications), alongside the processor brand and item number, is the processor speed in gigahertz (GHz). The processor is your computer's brain, and the GHz number is how you measure the speed of the processor.
In general, you can figure the higher the GHz number, the faster the computer can process data. But be careful. If you do a side-by-side comparison of two processors and one has a higher GHz number attached to it, you can't assume that one is faster. And this is where things can really get confusing because faster or higher GHz numbers do not necessarily equate to a faster computing experience. One reason for this is the many recent advances in processor architecture. For instance, an older processor on previous generation architecture running at 4.0 GHz could be dramatically slower than a processor running at 2.0 GHz built on next-generation architecture. Another reason is that multi-core processors like dual- and quad-core processors—that's a processor that contains two or more processor cores on a single chip—have become widely available. A multi-core processor might operate at a lower GHz, but because of its performance-driven benefits, it could trump a faster GHz single-core processor—and then some.
Tip! When you're shopping, ask for dual–or quad-core processor options. You'll be glad you did!
Hard drive—your electronic warehouse. The hard drive is the permanent storage area where electronic files and programs are stored. It plays a huge role in your computer's performance because the amount of time it takes to start up your computer and load programs is related to the hard drive's speed. (We've all experienced a painfully slow start-up—now you know why.) It's also a factor when you're running a bunch of programs at one time, such as editing home videos and downloading music while your computer is backing up files in the background.
Tip! Video, music, and picture files can take up a great deal of space. If you have a large library of these things, or plan to, consider buying a bigger hard drive—200 gigabytes or more.
RAM—The mother of all performers. RAM is the computer's main memory and, next to the processor, it's one of the most important slices of the computer performance pie. The amount of RAM in your computer can make the difference between instant gratification and your computer running so slow that you want to part it out for cash. Even if you're performing the most mundane of tasks, the more RAM you have the more of everything you can do and the faster you can do it. The RAM also affects how you experience streaming video, movies, and music—the more RAM you have, the better the experience!
Tip! When looking at RAM, think gigabytes, not megabytes—look for 1 gigabyte plus. And if you're a gamer or multimedia maverick, get as much RAM as you can afford!
Putting it all together for a marriage of epic proportions. Overall, when you research your computer purchase, you'll want to look at each of these items—the processor, hard drive, and RAM—as your performance powering package. With the right combination of technologies available, you'll spend less time waiting for your computer to perform, which equals more time spent doing the things you love. Like snowboarding or movie watching or bon-bon eating.
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