Monday, August 28, 2000		On Hardware

The chip responsible for revolution in computers

A processor is the most critical component of a computer that is installed on the motherboard and is responsible for all computer functions. Technically, it is the integrated logical circuitry present on a chip, which converts the computer commands into actions and drives a computer. Processor is generally referred to the central processing unit or CPU.

Processors have a long history. The most crucial point in the history of processors came when Intel launched its first processor in 1971. This 4004 processor was considered a breakthrough invention and paved the way for embedding intelligence in inanimate objects as well as personal computers. Since then, the super fast changing computer world has seen several generations of processors. Currently in India, we are using the Pentium-III generation of processors, which are benchmark of computer performance. However, there are several other processors available like Celeron, AMD, Cyrix, and VIA. All these processors have their positive points and are good as far as their performance is concerned. The most popular processors are Pentium-III processors.

The Pentium-III processors have a wide range and come with a speed, ranging from 500 MHz to 766 MHz. Currently, all these processors are being used and are available in the market. People often think that it is always better to go in for a high-speed processor. No doubt for optimal performance, one needs a better processor. But the processor in itself is not the only thing that is crucial for computer. In fact, it is the specific requirement that decides what is better. Suppose; if your work involves a lot of graphics, then AMD Athelon could be a better choice for you rather than a Pentium-III processor. However, if you need to do a lot of data processing on your computer, then you can choose from either Intel Pentium – III or AMD Athelon.

There is almost no general awareness about the processors. All that a person knows is that Intel is the best. No doubt, Intel is the best if you look at it in general. Going by specific needs and requirements one should consider the choices available. It is worth mentioning here that the AMD Athelon has a product range, which is technology wise more advanced than Intel. In India AMD Athelon – 1 GHz (Gigahertz) is available which means 1000 MHz, with the bus speed of 200 MHz. Here the RAM is also of 200 MHz. whereas the Intel has processors of 766 MHz with a bus speed of 133 MHz.

Performance wise, AMD scores over Intel, Pentium-III in some points. Due to its brand loyalty, Intel has a maximum market share in the PC market in India. Thus, in order to arrive at a logical conclusion, one should define criteria for choosing the right processor. Remember, the processor in a computer is the most expensive item as all other components are cheaper than the processor, generally. The decision regarding the processor can make all difference for computer budget. In order to know which processor is better, we can categorise the proposed use of computer into three major categories.

1) Home use

2) Office use

3) Professional use

Home Use: If you were planning to buy a computer for home, then the optimal performance of the computer would not matter much. As the kind of programmes you would be using, like Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer and Netscape Communicator, are not critical of speed, so any accelerated speed would not be significant to the computer’s performance. Thus, the performance to price ratio of computer in the case of high-end processor would be very low. So for the use at home, you must either plan an immediately preceding technology or if you insist on the latest in the market, then the Celeron processors would be able to do justice to your requirement. Even the Celeron-based computer are capable of giving good performance and merely the fact that the cache memory in Celeron computers is 128 KB does not make them redundant. In fact, for home use this is the best technology. However, if you feel that Pentium – III is what you require, then opt for a maximum P-III 550 MHz processor. Remember, since Intel is a highly reputed company so it keeps the clock speed set at low levels only and in most of the cases, the actual speed of a processor is slightly more than the rated speed. Do not chase the speed as this technology is soon going to be replaced by Pentium-IV processors. If Celeron processor can meet your requirement, then you should go for it, ideally There is another good option for the home computers. You can use the AMD K6-2 processor, which is quite good and cost effective. In fact, there is a lethal combination of SIS 620 motherboard and AMD K62- 500 MHz processor. This combination has onboard soundcard and AGP card. Performance wise, this processor is no less than a P-III 500 MHz and costwise, it is cheaper than a Celeron processor-based computer. Due to some upgradability issues, people normally opt for Celeron-processor based computers.

If you are price conscious, then you can even think about the Cyrix processors. The Cyrix processors are the cheapest in the market and as far as the performance goes, they perform satisfactorily. In fact, for a home-based computer, where the price is a major concern, Cyrix processors have the highest performance to price ratio. The best aspect of the Cyrix- based processors is that if the need arises they can always be upgraded to an AMD K6-2 processor. People normally write off the Cyrix processor, because of its speed. In practical terms, if the budget is the consideration, then a Cyrix processor- based system could be an ideal choice.

To sum up, for home use, the ideal processor would be Intel Celeron if you were technology -conscious. However, if you choose to have a computer, which is cost effective, yet good in technology, though with some limitation of upgradibility, then go for an AMD K6-2 processor. For a price and budget conscious PC buyers, Cyrix-based system may offer an excellent solution.

2) Office Use: For office use, one requires a good computer with a good RAM and hard disk space where normally processor speed is not very critical. Mostly in offices, the computers are connected to a network. If the computer you plan to buy is to be used as a node, then a Celeron-processor-based computer could be an ideal choice since these computers are cost effective in comparison to the Pentium III latest series. Thus, the performance to price ratio of these Celeron-based computers in this case is phenomenal. However, based on the nature of work, one can also prefer to go for Pentium III-based processors also. In that case, the performance to price ratio would be higher. In fact, in case of an office, much depends upon the nature of work and the choice of processor is very subjective.

In case, you plan to buy a computer, which could be used as a standalone machine, buy a Pentium-III 650 MHz or higher processor-based computer. Here, you can also have the choice of AMD Athelon 600 MHz processor-based computer, which is an excellent processor, capable of delivering performance better than P III processors of its price range.

You can use AMD K6-2-processor-based computer for office, if the workload is not going to be heavy. Here it does not mean that AMD-K6-2 -processors are not capable of working under heavy workload, but the performance could be optimised by using Pentium-III or AMD Athelon-based processor.

3) Professional uses: If planning to buy a computer for professional use, then there is not much choice. In these cases, the choice should always be the latest and the best in the market. It is not always necessary that the latest is always the best. For example, if the latest P-III processor available in the market has a bus speed of 100 MHz, then it may not be as good as a P-III processor which is lower in clock speed but has a bus speed of 133 MHz. Similarly, depending upon work, an AMD Athelon processor may prove to be a better buy than a Pentium-III-processor-based computer.

To conclude it can be said the world of processors is changing fast, so you must take a decision regarding a processor which has the highest performance to price ratio. There are no universal criteria for crowning the processor as the best or next best; it is all a matter of requirement and use.

— V.V.