What is the most important component to have for fast computer speed?
I've heard many conflicting opinions. Some say it's the amount of memory in the RAM. Some say it's the processor speed(i.e. higher the gigahertz the faster). Anyone out there know?
2006-08-01 13:10:45 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Though the CPU clock speed is a priority, the amount of cache memory in you CPU is also very important. Another big factor is the Front-side Bus of your motherboard, the higher the FSB rating the faster the data transfer between your CPU and the rest of your components. The next one is your memory, as of now the fastest I think is the DDR2 type, also the bigger your memory, the better. Additional memory in your components is always good. Now the Hard disk, SCSI and SATA II are top notch. There's also the cache memory for hard disks. RAID configurations is also a factor since it enhances your Read/Write data rate. Depending on where you will use you PC for, at's always best to get the appropriate graphics card. There's also a difference between gaming cards and pro-application cards used in workstations.
I think That's about it. I hope this helps.
2006-08-01 13:24:51 · answer #1 · answered by Nevwe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe you have heard many conflicting opionions becuase it's more than just one component that gives you the speed. Without a fast CPU you will not get fast performance, and without sufficant ram you won't either. Also the system bus speed needs to be fast as well. Factor in your drive speed, the speed of the ram, graphics card (if your system has onboard graphics it ties more of the ram up.
So if you are looking for "the" most important I would have to say all of them. Putting a overclocked CPU in a machine with low end components (onboard vga, slow old small ram, etc.) will not give you great performance.
2006-08-01 20:25:29 · answer #2 · answered by Adam Z 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you after speed or performance? Regular maintenance can improve performance. Remove Ad-ware which is running in the back ground. These can consume large amounts of resources. Frequently defragment the hard drive, which can boost performance. After you have taken care of the maintenance and you have some money to buy a component your maximum payback for minimum cost is usually to get more RAM memory. Upgrading the CPU will frequently involve upgrading the motherboard, memory type, and possibly expansion cards.
2006-08-01 21:32:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well to be honest, RAM is a necessity, but processor speed is also, the key element is your processor bus speed, the speed at which the processor can send information to and from the RAM, so for a pretty quick computer, 340MB of RAM would do fine, and even a 1.4GHz processor would do good, as long as the CPU has a bus rate of 800MHz or 533MHz. Processor cache is also good, 1MB is perfect.
2006-08-01 20:16:37 · answer #4 · answered by Kane 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously... your computer is only as fast as the Bottleneck.
If you're PROCESSOR BOUND... extra memory isn't going to help one iota.
Likewise... if you're out of memory... then having a 4ghz processor isn't going to do diddley.
If you're I/O bound... and you're waiting on your DISK DRIVE, then... the other two doesn't matter.
Plus... if you're just a little bit more memory bound then processor bound... adding huge amounts of memory because in 2 or 3 meg, you'll run right into the NEXT bottlenecks.
YES... experience system tuners... know... that the speed is limited to the the current, then next rate determining step.
2006-08-01 20:20:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends on how much memory u have and how much space u have, more files and space the more slow ur computer is. you can check how much space u have by going to
start/all programs/accesories/syestem tools/disk cleanup/now u can check ur space and u can also click disk clean up and then it might take some while but after that check all of them
2006-08-01 20:18:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
both take an impact, but my opinion is that memory (ram) helps more. but if you want a better performance, upgrade both. you should have atleast a 2GHz processor, and atleast 512mb of ram.
2006-08-01 20:15:09 · answer #7 · answered by Mike-Q 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you must define, what do you MEAN by computer speed.
Are you talking about things like counting for example. How fast can your computer count? Are you talking about multi-tasking?
2006-08-01 20:18:12 · answer #8 · answered by The Prince 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋