2006-12-19 02:53:11 · 9 answers · asked by glabba 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Intel has come to accept what AMD learned a long time ago : that faster clocks are not the only way to make higher performing CPUs.
Think of the clock speed like the RPMs in a car engine. Just because a Honda is running at 6000RPMs doesn't mean it's going faster than a Ferrari running at 4000RPM.
It's all a matter of "how much data" is being processed at that speed. Chip manufacturers have learned that it is more efficient to increase the amount of data processed during each clock cycle rather than just keep going faster.
Another example :
You have 1000 pizzas to deliver. You can use a regular delivery vehicle that travels at 100mph or a trailer truck that travels at 20mph. Although running slower the truck will do the job more quickly.
It's a silly example meant only as a simple analogy to clarify how the proper architecture in a CPU can increase performance without increasing speed.
Keeping them running slower also eliminates the problem of overheating.
regards,
Philip T
2006-12-19 03:11:04 · answer #1 · answered by Philip T 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It actually goes well beyond 3.2 but more is not always better. Heat has a big impact on what the home type computer is safe handling. Also, if you can produce a chip that is; well let's say 10GHz., what will the advantage be to the average user. Most people don't use the power they have now. The impact on the software developers would be great...just because the chip is fast the software must be able to utilize this power, this can be a big problem. What the industry seems to be doing is to give you a virtual BIG CPU, with the new dual core and quad core by working with known architecture to give you the speed you think you'll get with the "NEW BIGGER BETTER CHIP".
2006-12-19 11:09:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As the speed goes up, the distance between components starts to come into play with respect to slowing down a PC. There is also the issue of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) which also comes into play. RFI works in both directions (transmitting and receiving).
What CPU makers like IBM, Motorola, AMD and Intel, are doing these days is to place as much as they can on a single semi-conductor chip and that includes mutliple CPUs on a single chip, embedding more cache (fast memory for storing often used information and commands). The "line width" and spacing inside the chips as well as the "line widths" on the circuit cards also limit the speed.
As you go higher in speed, the traces (wires on the board) start to act like inductors and capacitors and thus reduce the speed at which you can run.
Also, 2 wires spaced next to each other will start to act like a capacitor and an inductor at very high speed.
George
2006-12-19 11:13:19 · answer #3 · answered by George C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At 3.2GHz the little micro switches are ocillating at 3,200,000,000 times per second. This causes heat issues. There is also the problem of finding materials that can handle that kind of speed with out failing. They will get it figured out. Some day they will be in the THz range, I am sure. When I started in computers 4MHz was a great milestone. Someone had, in the '90's a computer that was running at 500MHz and had to have a special cooler just to run it. Now we have laptops that run over 3GHz. Give it time. It will happen.
2006-12-19 11:10:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
At high speeds, the clock will have to generate high frequencies. Since the clock generator has to send its signal to all the components, it's hard to make the phisical wires on the motherboard not to act like antenas and loose all the signal in the air as radiowaves, especially the long ones. This is one of the reasons today's computers consume more energy, and more will be consumed as the speed will grow.
2006-12-19 11:01:29 · answer #5 · answered by Bogdan 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's no longer about the processor speed. Now with the creation of dual-core and quad-core processors, the efficiency of processing information is the main factor. Think about it.
2006-12-19 11:15:59 · answer #6 · answered by big mal 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
well heat is a major issue and both amd and intell have build and sold 3.6GHz as well as 3.8GHz processors but ppl have an reasonable way to cool using compressed gasses
2006-12-19 11:10:43 · answer #7 · answered by ZaKk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is sufficiently fast enough for current software applications
2006-12-19 11:03:43 · answer #8 · answered by derf 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
THAT IS PLENTY FAST FOR ME. MY COMPUTER IS A MEDIUM OF ENTERTAINMENT NOT REALLY USED FOR WORK AND THE ONE AT WORK IS JUST AS FINE.
2006-12-19 11:01:05 · answer #9 · answered by saucylatina 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋