CPU Comparisons – What You Need For Different PC Usage

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is often described as the central core of the computer. It is to the computer as the engine is to the car. The more powerful your CPU is, the faster your pc will work. There are other computer parts and components that may limit the processing speed of your computer, but overall, the speed of your CPU is the major indicator of your computer's performance.

Also known as a processor a CPU is rated by the number of bits that can be processed in a single instruction and the number of instructions that can be executed in one second. Current CPUs are rated at 32 bits or 64 bits, and their clock speed could be anywhere between 1.5 GHz to 3.5 GHz.

One Gigahertz (GHz) is one billion cycles per second. A 32-bit 2 GHz CPU can process 2 billion instructions per second, each with a maximum length of 32 bits. 32 bits in binary numbers is capable of expressing the decimal number 4,294,967,295. Long story short -- a 32-bit 2 GHz processor is amazingly powerful.

The type or quality of the CPU that you need depends on what you need it for. The usual categories are:

Office Use - Office applications like word processors and spreadsheets do not require a lot of computing power. If you simply need a computer for word processing and using the Internet, consider getting a CPU in the 1 GHz to 2 GHz range. It's cheap and it will be more than enough for your needs.

Heavy Gaming Use - If you are an avid computer gamer set your sights on a CPU rated at 3 GHz or more. They're pricier of course but for the hardcore gamers, price is no object and they will want the best.

Moderate Gaming Use - If you have more modest computing needs, you can get by with a CPU in the 2 GHz range. More reasonable in price compared to the ones above the 3 GHz range they are a better buy if you don't feel like you need top notch performance for games. Processors in this range are suitable for just about any computer application including graphics, video work and audio recording.

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