Mostly a computer’s performance depends on its balanced use of resources, such as processor speed and memory capacity. Whether it’s a high-end brand or a value-for-money purchase, the kind of desktop computer a buyer chooses must have good quality CPU and RAM hardware. Brand still matters, of course, since users already trust the companies that manufacture these products. Meanwhile, the amount of data storage, graphics display, and audio quality generally depend on whether the computer will be used for watching movies or playing online games.
Speeds of the Central Processing Unit
The CPU functions like the heart does in the human body and its bus and clock speeds determine how fast and smooth the computer runs. So far, the major processors available in the market today are from Intel and AMD. Usually, AMD uses Hyper Transports to measure its CPU’s front-side bus speed and clock rate. Some of Intel’s Nehalem-based processors use the QPI measurement while others determine their computer’s processor speed based on its Front-Side Bus (FSB) rate.
Generally, desktop computers perform better when its motherboard supports these components. For example, a Pentium Corei3 or Corei7 from Intel should run smoothly on current models of ASUS motherboards. Most computers should have 333Mhz to 1000Mhz of bus rates. The CPU speed (clock rate) is determined by multiplying the bus speed with 4 or 2.5, which is the motherboard’s multiplier setting.
Changing the Bus Speed and Multiplier Settings
The practice of overclocking increases the processor’s capacity to allocate more resources to the operating system. Once it’s been doubled in size, the computer can open twice the number of programs simultaneously without slowing down. One of the ways to overclock the processor is to change its bus speed and multipliers through relocation of jumpers on your motherboard. To prevent overheating, install another fan or reapply the cooling gel into the PCU’s heat sink. You may need to open your processor and remove the heat sink before you can do this.
Another way of speeding up processors in desktop computers is to use software to jump to a higher speed rate. Windows have restoration points and overlcocking software can reset the entire system to a time when it’s still working properly. To prevent overheating, use a system monitoring software aside from installing another fan or adding more cooling gel.
Before attempting to overclock your computer’s processor, first determine its default speeds. Check out the BIOS information while the computer boots up or go into the CMOS setup to verify the settings. Find the FSB base clock speed and multiply this by four to find the CPU speed. Inversely, find the CPU speed from boot-up and divide this by four to determine the base clock rate. From these calculations, tweak the settings to your preferred speed.