Should you wish to either build a desktop PC from scratch or even upgrade your current one, the most critical component that you should consider is the kind of computer CPU you can obtain. This can be accurately regarded to be the very “brain” of your PC. Not only does it determine just what you can do, but how quickly and efficiently you can do it. The CPU is also called the processor, and it controls virtually everything from working with productivity tools to playing a game. With a few exclusions, the exact power you can obtain from a processor is directly proportional to the price you are willing to foot. To this end, the following is a computer CPU buying guide that can assist you in making the right choice.
Price
PC building and even upgrading, like previously pointed out, starts at what exactly you intend to use it. Given, it is very possible to execute similar tasks with a $100 processor as you would with a $1000 one. However, the major difference lies in just how well you will be able to perform the particular tasks you have in mind. Therefore, determining the exact amount that you want to spend should be the first thing you should take into account. Typically, high priced CPUs tend to be much quicker and more efficient. So it is very important to bear this in mind.
Cores
The exact number of cores a processor possesses is undoubtedly the most crucial factor you need to contemplate on. Nowadays almost all CPUs integrate from two to six cores. Should you be planning to make use of your computer for intensive tasks such as video or photo editing, you will certainly benefit from a processor with more cores. At the same time, it is important to take note of the fact that it is possible to obtain a CPU that comes with just a single core. But it is highly advisable to bypass such products. Dual core processors are very commonplace and relatively inexpensive, and it can be a wise decision to settle for such products.
Clock speed
Back in the bygone era where all processors featured a single core, clock speed or operating frequency was the most critical issue to dwell on when attempting to buy these components. Most especially when it came to deciding just how quick and efficient a CPU could be. Currently the number of cores a computer CPU has effectively replaced the dominance of clock speed, but the latter is still an essential factor that you should think about.
Clock speed is gauged in gigahertz (GHz) or quite simply the number of billion times per minute a CPU’s clock pulses into the microprocessor. With this in mind it is safe to think that a 3GHz processor is definitely much faster than a 2 GHz rated one. Nevertheless, this assumption can be erroneous in certain particular circumstances. For instance, it is well known that in multiple core CPUs, the number of pulses are usually stacked. So a 4 core, 3 GHz processor is in an excellent position of beating a 2 core, 3.3 GHz CPU. Hope this computer CPU buying guide has been insightful.