| |
You are here: Experts > Computing/Technology > Understanding Computers > Understanding Computers > CPU and ghz
Expert: John
Date: 8/27/2008
Subject: CPU and ghz
Question
Hi John,
Not sure if you can help me out, but I've been struggling with a knowlegde issue for months (if not: years!). As I'm the "computer guy" in my family, I would always have advised people to look at what Ghz a PC has whenever they look at specs when buying a new PC.
In general, it would most of the times have been a Pentium 4 in the beginning starting from 1,7Gh tot a wow 3,5 Ghz.
Now where I got confused is the whole Intel Core / Core Duo / Quad things. I don't understand the industry: there's no doubt that a Core 2 running 2,2Ghz outperforms a P4 3,5Ghz. But how come, is it as simple as saying a Core 2 at 2,2Ghz means 4,4Ghz so its faster than 3,5 Ghz?
If that would be the case, why doesn't the industry actually promote their new gear as CPU speed 4,4 Ghz or higher? It's hard for a non-expert to get why a 2,2Ghz system is better than a eg. P4 3,5Ghz.
My explanation may sound confusing, I hope you get what I'm trying to explain. Would you be able to shed a light on this or point me to a direction where CPU evolution is explained? Wikipedia is great for general history listing and in-depth per processor but the switch after P4 Ghz-listings to the newer processors, still doesn't make sense to me.
Thanks in advance!
regards,
Frank
Answer
Frank,
Simple said,
A P4 cpu runs a single pipe. So it can get bottleneck real fast and run slow.
A dual runs two pipe lines, therefor can handle 2x more data.
A Quad runs 4 pipe lines, therefor can run handle 4x more data.
Core2 and extreme cpu's are faster bus speeds.
Check out this link:
http://www.intel.com/products/processor/core2quad/index.htm
Go to it and click on Launch the demo on the top right side of the page.
Here are some more links to view.
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2795&p=10
http://www.compatdb.org/support/topics/175454_core_2_duo_vs_pentium_d_help.html
Hope this helps,
John
Add to this Answer
Ask a Question
|
|
