Desktop CPU Speed: Desktop Computer Processor Speed Explained
When considering desktop CPU speed do keep in mind that the processor is one of the most important components of a desktop computer as it basically acts as the brains of the computer. How quickly you can download files, how many programs you can run at one time, and how fast your browser can load images and web pages are all determined in large part by the desktop computer processor speed your system is capable of achieving.
CPU stands for central processing unit and, in general, the higher the desktop CPU speed the better the performance of the computer. There are two desktop computer processor speed values to pay attention to. The first is the speed at which information is processed(clock speed). The second is the speed at which the CPU communicates with system memory and the graphics processor(via Front Side Bus).
A desktop CPU speed explanation is not complete without covering the
CPU stands for central processing unit and, in general, the higher the desktop CPU speed the better the performance of the computer. There are two desktop computer processor speed values to pay attention to. The first is the speed at which information is processed(clock speed). The second is the speed at which the CPU communicates with system memory and the graphics processor(via Front Side Bus).
A desktop CPU speed explanation is not complete without covering the
difference between single-core and dual-core processors. Single-core processors are just fine for basic desktop computer utilization such as browsing the internet, sending and receiving email, and downloading or storing files. The advantage of dual-core processors is that they allow a user to perform several functions at the same time. Dual-core processors are more efficient and are less likely to get bogged down when running multiple programs on your desktop computer. With a dual-core processor it's similar to having two brains in your desktop computer instead of one.
Desktop CPU Speed: Intel versus AMD
Intel and AMD are the two largest desktop processor manufacturers. Intel and AMD processors can be found in the latest desktop computer offerings from Dell, HP, Compaq, Acer, Gateway, Lenovo, Asus, eMachines(AMD only), and Everex. Intel and AMD are the most popular and well-known desktop processors on the market today.
Intel currently offers three series of desktop processors: Intel Core 2 series, Intel Pentium series, and Intel Celeron series. AMD currently offers five categories of desktop processors: AMD Phenom, AMD Athlon 64 FX, AMD Athlon 64 X2, AMD Athlon 64, and AMD Sempron.
Intel Core 2 Extreme: 4 cores, 2.66-3.0 GHz desktop CPU speed; 1066-1333 MHz front side bus(FSB); 4-12 MB L2 Cache
Intel Core 2 Quad: 4 cores, 2.4-2.83 GHz desktop CPU speed; 1066-1333 MHz FSB; 6-12 MB L2 Cache
Intel Core 2 Duo: 2 cores, 1.86-3.16 GHz desktop CPU speed; 800-1333 MHz FSB; 2-6 MB L2 Cache
Intel Pentium Extreme: 2 cores, 2.4-3.8 GHz desktop processor speed; 800-1066 MHz FSB; 512 KB - 4 MB L2 Cache
Intel Pentium Dual-Core: 2 cores, 1.6-2.2 GHz desktop computer processor speed; 800 MHz FSB; 1 MB L2 Cache
Intel Pentium D: 2 cores, 2.66-3.6 GHz desktop computer processor speed; 533-800 MHz FSB; 2-4 MB L2 Cache
Intel Pentium 4: 1 core, 1.3-3.06 GHz desktop computer processor speed; 400-533 MHz FSB; 256 KB - 1 MB L2 Cache
Intel Celeron: 1 core, 1.6-2.0 GHz desktop computer processor speed; 800 MHz FSB; 512 KB L2 Cache
Intel Celeron D: 1 core, 2.13-3.6 GHz desktop computer processor speed; 533 MHz FSB; 256-512 KB L2 Cache
Intel Celeron Dual-Core: 2 cores, 1.6 GHz desktop CPU speed; 800 MHz FSB, 512 KB L2 Cache
AMD Phenom: 4 cores, 2.2-2.3 GHz desktop CPU speed; 2600 MHz memory bus; 512 KB L2 Cache
AMD Athlon 64 FX: 4 cores, 2.2-3.0 GHz desktop CPU speed; 1600-2000 MHz memory bus; 1 MB L2 Cache
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core: 2 cores, 1.9-3.2 GHz desktop CPU speed; 2000 MHz memory bus; 512 KB - 1 MB L2 Cache
AMD Athlon 64: 1 core, 1.8-2.6 GHz desktop CPU speed; 1600-2000 MHz memory bus; 512 KB - 1 MB L2 Cache
AMD Athlon X2 Dual-Core: 2 cores, 1.9-2.3 GHz desktop CPU speed; 2000 MHz memory bus; 512 KB L2 Cache
AMD Sempron: 1 core, 1.6-2.2 GHz desktop CPU speed; 1600 MHz memory bus; 128-512 KB L2 Cache
Clock speed is how fast a desktop processor can process data. The front side bus connects the processor to other key components such as memory or the graphics processor(AMD instead uses a dedicated memory bus). Level 2(L2) Cache is a set of memory chips thats speeds the operation of some applications. When discussing desktop CPU speed, those are the three features that matter the most along with whether the processor is single or dual-core. Most of the lowest-priced desktop computers have single-core technology which is just fine if you are using the desktop for basic computing tasks such as browsing the web, sending and receiving email, and downloading or storing a reasonable amount of files.
Back to Desktop Buying Tips
Back to All About Desktops Home Page
Desktop CPU Speed: Intel versus AMD
Intel and AMD are the two largest desktop processor manufacturers. Intel and AMD processors can be found in the latest desktop computer offerings from Dell, HP, Compaq, Acer, Gateway, Lenovo, Asus, eMachines(AMD only), and Everex. Intel and AMD are the most popular and well-known desktop processors on the market today.
Intel currently offers three series of desktop processors: Intel Core 2 series, Intel Pentium series, and Intel Celeron series. AMD currently offers five categories of desktop processors: AMD Phenom, AMD Athlon 64 FX, AMD Athlon 64 X2, AMD Athlon 64, and AMD Sempron.
Intel Core 2 Extreme: 4 cores, 2.66-3.0 GHz desktop CPU speed; 1066-1333 MHz front side bus(FSB); 4-12 MB L2 Cache
Intel Core 2 Quad: 4 cores, 2.4-2.83 GHz desktop CPU speed; 1066-1333 MHz FSB; 6-12 MB L2 Cache
Intel Core 2 Duo: 2 cores, 1.86-3.16 GHz desktop CPU speed; 800-1333 MHz FSB; 2-6 MB L2 Cache
Intel Pentium Extreme: 2 cores, 2.4-3.8 GHz desktop processor speed; 800-1066 MHz FSB; 512 KB - 4 MB L2 Cache
Intel Pentium Dual-Core: 2 cores, 1.6-2.2 GHz desktop computer processor speed; 800 MHz FSB; 1 MB L2 Cache
Intel Pentium D: 2 cores, 2.66-3.6 GHz desktop computer processor speed; 533-800 MHz FSB; 2-4 MB L2 Cache
Intel Pentium 4: 1 core, 1.3-3.06 GHz desktop computer processor speed; 400-533 MHz FSB; 256 KB - 1 MB L2 Cache
Intel Celeron: 1 core, 1.6-2.0 GHz desktop computer processor speed; 800 MHz FSB; 512 KB L2 Cache
Intel Celeron D: 1 core, 2.13-3.6 GHz desktop computer processor speed; 533 MHz FSB; 256-512 KB L2 Cache
Intel Celeron Dual-Core: 2 cores, 1.6 GHz desktop CPU speed; 800 MHz FSB, 512 KB L2 Cache
AMD Phenom: 4 cores, 2.2-2.3 GHz desktop CPU speed; 2600 MHz memory bus; 512 KB L2 Cache
AMD Athlon 64 FX: 4 cores, 2.2-3.0 GHz desktop CPU speed; 1600-2000 MHz memory bus; 1 MB L2 Cache
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core: 2 cores, 1.9-3.2 GHz desktop CPU speed; 2000 MHz memory bus; 512 KB - 1 MB L2 Cache
AMD Athlon 64: 1 core, 1.8-2.6 GHz desktop CPU speed; 1600-2000 MHz memory bus; 512 KB - 1 MB L2 Cache
AMD Athlon X2 Dual-Core: 2 cores, 1.9-2.3 GHz desktop CPU speed; 2000 MHz memory bus; 512 KB L2 Cache
AMD Sempron: 1 core, 1.6-2.2 GHz desktop CPU speed; 1600 MHz memory bus; 128-512 KB L2 Cache
Clock speed is how fast a desktop processor can process data. The front side bus connects the processor to other key components such as memory or the graphics processor(AMD instead uses a dedicated memory bus). Level 2(L2) Cache is a set of memory chips thats speeds the operation of some applications. When discussing desktop CPU speed, those are the three features that matter the most along with whether the processor is single or dual-core. Most of the lowest-priced desktop computers have single-core technology which is just fine if you are using the desktop for basic computing tasks such as browsing the web, sending and receiving email, and downloading or storing a reasonable amount of files.
Back to Desktop Buying Tips
Back to All About Desktops Home Page
About Desktops Blog - Visit Now
Search the Computer Deals Guide Network
Computer Trends
Monthly E-Zine
- New Technology
- Industry News
- Price Trends
- Laptop Deals
- Desktop Deals
Monthly E-Zine
- New Technology
- Industry News
- Price Trends
- Laptop Deals
- Desktop Deals
More feed reader options
Bookmark or share this page
