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Desktop Processor Comparison: Which Processor Meets Your Needs?

When performing a desktop processor comparison do keep in mind that the processor is one of the most important components of a desktop as it essentially acts as the brains of the computer. How fast you can download files, how many applications you can run at one time, and how quickly your browser can load images and web pages are all largely determined by the brand and model of processor your computer has.

In general the higher the CPU(central processing unit) speed the higher the performance of the desktop computer. There are two processor speeds to pay attention to. The first is the speed at which information is processed(clock speed). The second is the speed at which the CPU communicates with memory and the graphics processor(via Front Side Bus).

A desktop processor comparison is not complete without explaining
the difference between dual-core processors and single-core processors. Single-core processors work just fine and are suitable for basic desktop computer functions like surfing the web, checking and sending email, and downloading or saving files. The advantage of dual-core processors is that they allow a user to perform several functions at the same time. Dual-core processors are more efficient and are less likely to get bogged down when running multiple applications on your desktop computer. With a dual-core processor it's like having two brains in your desktop computer instead of one.

Desktop Processor Comparison: Intel versus AMD
Intel and AMD are the two largest desktop processor manufacturers. Intel and AMD processors can be found in the latest desktop computer offerings from Dell, HP, Compaq, Acer, Gateway, Lenovo, Asus, eMachines(AMD only), and Everex. Intel and AMD are the most popular and well-known desktop processors on the market today.

Intel currently offers three series of desktop processors: Intel Core 2 series, Intel Pentium series, and Intel Celeron series. AMD currently offers five categories of desktop processors: AMD Phenom, AMD Athlon 64 FX, AMD Athlon 64 X2, AMD Athlon 64, and AMD Sempron.

Intel Core 2 Extreme: 4 cores, 2.66-3.0 GHz clock speed; 1066-1333 MHz front side bus(FSB); 4-12 MB L2 Cache

Intel Core 2 Quad: 4 cores, 2.4-2.83 GHz clock speed; 1066-1333 MHz FSB; 6-12 MB L2 Cache

Intel Core 2 Duo: 2 cores, 1.86-3.16 GHz clock speed; 800-1333 MHz FSB; 2-6 MB L2 Cache

Intel Pentium Extreme: 2 cores, 2.4-3.8 GHz clock; 800-1066 MHz FSB; 512 KB - 4 MB L2 Cache

Intel Pentium Dual-Core: 2 cores, 1.6-2.2 GHz clock; 800 MHz FSB; 1 MB L2 Cache

Intel Pentium D: 2 cores, 2.66-3.6 GHz clock; 533-800 MHz FSB; 2-4 MB L2 Cache

Intel Pentium 4: 1 core, 1.3-3.06 GHz clock; 400-533 MHz FSB; 256 KB - 1 MB L2 Cache

Intel Celeron: 1 core, 1.6-2.0 GHz clock; 800 MHz FSB; 512 KB  L2 Cache

Intel Celeron D: 1 core, 2.13-3.6 GHz clock; 533 MHz FSB; 256-512 KB L2 Cache

Intel Celeron Dual-Core: 2 cores, 1.6 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 512 KB L2 Cache

AMD Phenom: 4 cores, 2.2-2.3 GHz clock speed; 2600 MHz memory bus; 512 KB L2 Cache

AMD Athlon 64 FX: 4 cores, 2.2-3.0 GHz clock speed; 1600-2000 MHz memory bus; 1 MB L2 Cache

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core: 2 cores, 1.9-3.2 GHz clock speed; 2000 MHz memory bus; 512 KB - 1 MB L2 Cache

AMD Athlon 64: 1 core, 1.8-2.6 GHz clock speed; 1600-2000 MHz memory bus; 512 KB - 1 MB L2 Cache

AMD Athlon X2 Dual-Core: 2 cores, 1.9-2.3 GHz clock speed; 2000 MHz memory bus; 512 KB L2 Cache

AMD Sempron: 1 core, 1.6-2.2 GHz clock speed; 1600 MHz memory bus; 128-512 KB L2 Cache

Clock speed is how fast a desktop processor can process data. The front side bus connects the processor to other key components such as memory or the graphics processor(AMD instead uses a dedicated memory bus). Level 2(L2) Cache is a set of memory chips thats speeds the operation of some applications. For desktop processor comparison purposes, those are the three features that matter the most along with whether the processor is single or dual-core. Most cheap or low-priced desktop computers are going to have single-core technology which is just fine if you are using the desktop for basic computing needs such as surfing the web, checking and sending email, and downloading or saving a reasonable amount of files.

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