Issue #3 October 2004

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A Personal Computer is a general purpose tool built around a microprocessor. It has lots of different parts that work together. A few of the major components are a CPU (Central processing unit), the Motherboard, RAM (Random-access memory), Power supply, Hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Sound card, Graphics card, Modem, Network card, Floppy disk drive, and the Operating system. The microprocessor or CPU is the "brain" of the computer system. Everything that a computer does is overseen by the CPU. The Motherboard is the main circuit board that all of the other internal components connect to. The CPU and RAM memory are located on the motherboard. Other sub-systems may be found directly on the motherboard or connected to it through a secondary connection.

Selecting the CPU and Motherboard is probably the most important decision about your new computer that you'll make. Today there are two main Personal Computer processor manufacturers, Intel and AMD. Although VIA, Cyrix and Transmeta make efficient chips are in use in Notebooks and small computers. CPUs have gone through many changes through the few years since Intel came out with the first one. (*1) IBM chose Intel's 8088 processor for their first PC. This choice by IBM is what made Intel the supposed leader of the CPU market. Some say that Intel is the leader of microprocessor development. However with AMD's Athlon 64 4000+ and the 3800+ with 1024Kb cache and advanced virus protection for Windows XP, they have moved the computer world from 32 bit to 64 bit computing. (*2) Not to say that Intel's Pentium 4 with Hyperthreading Extreme Edition at 3.4Ghz is a dog.

CPUs: AMD or Intel

For the budget minded few who don't want to spend $1000+ on a chip, both Intel and AMD have value processors that perform well if your not in “THAT KIND” of a hurry. The Intel Celeron D 335 and The AMD Sempron 3100+ . Of course there are over 10 different processors in between. *1- If your paying attention in 1971 Intel developed the 4004, the real first single chip CPU, a 4-bit processor with 2,300 transistors. It ran at 740KHz. Of course I have one, I keep everything. *2 - In 1999 AMD shipped its Athlon chip, which out performed the Pentium III at the same clock speed.

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