THE USUAL SUSPECTS:INTEL and AMD
Intel and AMD (American Micro Devices) are the two most prolific manufacturers of the best computer processors in the world. The best computer processors may have different manufacturers, but they perform the same basic tasks inside your computer.
The intense competition between Intel and AMD continues to this day. Recently, AMD has made great strides in encroaching on Intel's market share. Intel is still an 800 lb. gorilla in the microprocessor marketplace, but now they have competition.
Intel manufacturers an assortment of CPUs for use in desktop computers, the most well known of which are the Pentium 4 and the Pentium D (dual-core). The Celeron D is a budget processor, and the Pentium Extreme and Core 2 Extreme are high-end CPUs for computer enthusiasts. The latest addition to Intel's lineup is the Core 2 Duo which is intended to replace the Pentium 4/D in the near future.
For mobile applications, Intel offers the Core Duo/Core Solo, Pentium M, and the Celeron M, with the Core 2 Duo rounding out the lineup.
The Xeon series of CPUs are aimed squarely at the workstation/server market.
AMD offers four desktop processor lines. The well known Athlon 64 is provided for the mainstream markets, the Sempron and Sempron 64 for users on a budget, the Athlon 64 FX for high end users, and the Athlon 64 X2 for gamers and other computer enthusiasts needing raw power. The Athlon 64 X2 is a dual core processor aimed at replacing the Athlon 64 series in the future.
AMD mobile offerings are the Athlon64/Sempron and the Turion 64 X2.
Opteron is AMD's version of workstation/server processor line.
Socket Types for the Best Computer Processor
The CPU socket is the physical and electrical interface between the processor and the motherboard.
Intel
The LGA775 is the most popular socket type for Intel desktop processors. Socket 478 processors are available in the marketplace and are still popular as well. Xeon, Pentium M and the Core Duo processors all use different socket types.
AMD
The Socket AM2, Socket 939, and the Socket 754 are the most popular socket types for AMD's processors. Socket A has been phased out and is now obsolete. Socket 940 and Socket F are utilized in the workstation/server market segment.
Besides making sure the socket type will work , make certain the motherboard's chipset will support the best computer processor you have chosen. Additionally be aware that the AMD K8 processors (Athlon64 and Sempron) now feature the memory controller integrated into the processor. In the past, it was integrated within the motherboard chipset. The type of AMD CPU it uses will determine the memory specifications for a given motherboard. The Socket 754 processor supports single channel 64 bit memory up to DDr 400. The Socket 939 processor supports 128 bit dual channel memory up to DDR 400. All Socket AM2 processors support 128 bit dual channel memory up to DDR2 667, with the exception of the Athlon 64 X2 and Athlon FX processors which support dual channel memory up to DDR2 800.
Specifications for the Best Computer Processor-Mystery Solved!
You don't have to know this stuff to pick out the best computer processor, but if you're curious here's a brief explanation of the major points of CPU architecture.
Clock Speed for the Best Computer Processor
CPU speed is measured in gigahertz(GHz) and is known as the clock or core speed. All computer processors contain one or more of these internal clocks. The clocks count time in millionths or billionths of a second and keep calculations and data flow synchronized in the computer.
Due to the differences in CPU architecture AMD and Intel clock speeds cannot be compared apples-to-apples. AMD processors run at slower clock speeds that equal the performance of higher clocked Intel CPUs. An example of this would be the Sempron 2400+ processor which runs at 1.66 GHz, but matches the performance of an Intel Celeron 2.4 GHz CPU. AMD has also chosen a naming scheme for their processors that reinforce this point. For example, an Athlon 2800+ the designator 2800+ refers to the Intel clock speed (2.8 GHz) that the Athlon corresponds to. Clock speed is an important indicator of performance, especially when comparing processors of the same core type.
Frontside Bus Speed for the Best Computer Processor
The front side bus speed is measured in megahertz or gigahertz and is the speed that the memory, CPU, and expansion cards communicate with each other. Intel's front side bus communicates directly with the memory and the video card. AMD changed this to an integrated memory controller on die that communicates directly with the memory and video cards without utilizing the front side bus. This is a major difference between the two competitor's processors, and it is an advantage for AMD. Basically a faster FSB speed increases the exchange of data between the various components of the computer. This gives overall performance a boost. Just like the core speed, the front side bus speeds cannot be directly compared between the two manufacturers because of architectural differences in the CPU design. It makes sense that the greater the speed of the FSB the faster things work in the computer.
Understanding Cache for the Best Computer Processor
Cache is memory that is located onboard the CPU. Cache is divided into L1, L2, and L3 categories. The cache onboard the processor is much faster than the memory located on the motherboard (RAM). The more cache you have onboard a CPU the faster your computer will run your software programs.
Multi-Core for the Best Computer Processor
Since the debut of the multi-core processor in 2005, both Intel and AMD continue to make advances in multi-core technology. The core count is destined to become a new performance standard for CPUs. Multi-core CPUs excel over single-core processors when the software they are running is optimized for multi-threading (multiple processes simultaneously). As Intel and AMD are both pursuing multi-core processor technology, you can expect to see more multi-core optimized software in the future.
Process Type/Manufacturing Process for the Best Computer Processor
The manufacturing process is the basic width of wiring that connects different parts of the CPU internally. Present day microprocessors typically utilize the 130 nm (.13 micrometer), 90 nm, and 65 nanometer manufacturing processes. The smaller this value is, the more transistors that can be integrated into the design, and the higher the clock speed the processors can achieve. As a bonus, the smaller the process value, the less power the microprocessor will use, and the cheaper it becomes to manufacture.
Hyper-Threading and the Best Computer Processor
Intel term used to describe how their processors handle data tasks. Before hyper-threading processors could only handle one task at a time, although very quickly, giving the illusion that it was processing more than one thing at a time. Hyper-threading allows the processor to assign tasks to idle parts of the CPU, increasing efficiency and improving response time. An example of hyper-threading at work is running two different applications at the same time. ( e.g. scanning your computer with an antivirus program while burning a DVD movie)
Hyper-Transport Technology
Hyper-transport technology increases the communication speed between integrated circuits in computers. AMD processors make use of this technology between the processor and the chipset.
64 Bit Support
This is a technology developed by Intel and AMD that allows simultaneous 32 and 64 bit computing, and improved performance by allowing more than 4 GB of memory to be addressed on the motherboard. True 64 bit support is only possible with a 64 bit enabled processor, BIOS, chipset, operating system, device drivers, and applications. All have to be 64 bit enabled.
Power Consumption and the Best Computer Processor
The less power used the better. The more power a processor uses the more heat it puts out. This is not a good thing, and has been addressed by both Intel and AMD with newer energy efficient processors.
OEM vs Retail Packaging
Reference to CPU packaging seen in the retail market. The boxed versions of processors for the retail market include a CPU and a cooling fan/heatsink combo. The OEM packaged processors are generally cheaper in price and include only the processor. The retail/boxed versions have a better warranty. The OEM processors generally have a short warranty.
CPU Cooling
There is a direct correlation between increasing the speed of a processor and the resulting heat it puts out. As speed goes up so does heat output. The problem is that heat is a real killer for electronics. A decade ago when CPU speeds were measured in megahertz it wasn’t a big problem. Currently with speeds approaching the 4 GHz range, and the advent of multi-core processors, CPUs require a heat sink and fan to keep them cool. CAUTION: Never run a new CPU without a heat sink/fan combination installed are you risk damaging the the processor.
Conclusion
Computers are complicated machines. The CPU is the brain that controls them. You now have the information you need to understand the jargon and pick out the best computer processor for your PC. The performance of a PC system depends a lot on the processor. Picking the right processor is key to building your own computer.
If you’re on a budget and don't expect to run CPU intensive tasks such as gaming or video editing, choose between the Intel Celeron D and the Athlon Sempron.
More interested in performance versus price? The Core 2 Duo and the Athlon 64 X2 processors are the perfect marriage of price/performance. Both of these processors offer exceptional value for your money.
Interested in playing games or other CPU intensive tasks? The Core 2 Duo Extreme and the Athlon 64 FX are made especially for you. These two processors lines are the most powerful desktop processors available
