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CPU Performance (Cores (Increasing the Number of Cores (Multi-tasking
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CPU Performance
Cores
A 'core' is a complete processing unit within the CPU - it has an ALU, Control Unit and Registers
Now it is common for a CPU chip to have two, four, eight cores or more. A cpu with two cores is called a 'dual core' and one with four cores is called a 'quad-core'.
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Cache Performance
Having a larger cache will speed up processing because the CPU can access data and instructions faster than they can from RAM.
However, cache memory is more expensive than standard RAM so it is a balance between performance and cost.
So to help speed up the processing time, cache memory is used to store instructions or data that are either frequently used, have recently been used or are about to be used. This means that they don't have to be fetched directly from RAM.
Clock Speed
The higher the clock frequency, the faster the CPU can run and the more instructions that can be processed every second.
In order to keep the temperature to a minimum and to stop damage to the CPU a large heat sink is required. A heat sink is a device designed to take heat away from the CPU
RAM Capacity
A computer always comes with a certain amount of RAM and this will most likely be enough for light use.
Virtual memory is an area set aside on the hard disk to act as a very slow form of RAM. The operating system creates a 'swap file' in virtual memory. Virtual memory will be used to store some of the currently running programs and data if RAM is full. When virtual memory is in heavy use, the computer will seem to be running very slowly.
Graphics Card
A computer will have a basic graphics chip installed on its motherboard and this is fine for every-day use. But 3D graphics, as found in video games require a lot of processing power.
Issues:
- Graphics cards can be expensive
- Graphics cards do not improve CPU performance on all tasks, only ones related to graphics and other large files
-Graphics cards use a lot of power and this might mean that the computer also needs to be fitted with a more powerful power supply. The larger power supply will add further cost.
- Because graphics cards use a lot of power they need a cooling fan. The cooling fans are noisy so they make the computer sound louder than they were before the graphics card was installed.
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