Processors

Processors are the central components of computers. Your CPU, or central processing unit, is what guides every accessory and program to function. When your computer processor is only a single chip, you have a microprocessor, which is what most processors are nowadays. The more powerful your processor, the more you can do with your system.

Intel and AMD are major processor manufacturers. These makers and others are turning out new generations of processors that are twice as powerful as the previous generation about every 18 months. This means that it's getting cheaper and cheaper to buy the same processing speed.

In terms of your desktop components, the processor is what allows you to work quickly and effectively. Clock speed is how fast your processor computes information. A processor that has a clock speed of one GHz processes one billion pieces of information a second, and a three GHz processor processes at about three times that rate. However, some brands do more functions per cycle, and some operate faster but need more cycles to do a function, which is why it can be difficult to do an "apples to apples" comparison of processors between brands.

In terms of an Intel processor, you have a choice between the Celeron, the Pentium 4, and the Pentium 4 Extreme Edition. The Extreme Edition is the priciest model, and the fastest, and the Celeron is the economy processor. In terms of an AMD processor, your options are the Athlon64 FX, the Athlon 64, and the Sempron. They are compatible to the Intel processors, and AMD competes with slightly lower prices.