| The fact is that a computer comprises several | | | | nineties computers with 16-bit CPUs were considered |
| processors however the one regularly used by | | | | powerful while today 64-bits are the norm, a reflection |
| advertisers when they want to draw attention to the | | | | of how far the IT public sector experience has |
| power of a computer commonly relates to the Central | | | | developed in a little over fifteen years. |
| Processing Unit (CPU). | | | | A CPU today would seem like something from an alien |
| Few individuals will not have heard of Intel or AMD | | | | world to the computer geeks of fifteen years ago, Not |
| processors while their significance to the advertising | | | | only have they become much more powerful but in |
| community and thereby the general public at large is | | | | addition their use of new materials as semiconductors |
| comparable to the way motor manufacturers sell their | | | | increases efficiency beyond anything thought |
| cars. If in the market for a sports car an individual | | | | manageable fifteen years ago. The intention of these |
| usually wants as much performance as is available | | | | new semiconductors is directly aimed at the speed |
| hence manufacturers will sell their most powerful cars | | | | with which a CPU operates. Making the CPU faster is |
| simply by stating the number of cylinders a particular | | | | an ongoing challenge that drives this industry because |
| model possesses. By using just two letters such as | | | | ultimately all computers are limited by the capability of |
| V8 - a message is sent to the public consumer who | | | | their CPU and, because IT has become an established |
| will automatically recognize that this indicates a | | | | ingredient in the daily routine people now have to |
| potentially powerful engine. The equivalent term to | | | | handle we are much more proficient at using them. |
| excite the adrenalin rush in the computer buyer today | | | | The knock on effect from the IT development of the |
| is probably a "Dual Core Processor". | | | | past fifteen years relates to people and their improved |
| However before describing the merits of dual core | | | | functionality when interacting with computers. The |
| processing or any other electronic component or | | | | demands made on electronic components will continue |
| semiconductors it seems reasonable to first explain | | | | to increase as people learn how to add, manipulate |
| why the CPU attracts so much attention, possibly | | | | and subtract using their IT on a daily basis and it |
| more than any other electronic component lurking | | | | seems that no matter how fast electronic components |
| within a computer. | | | | become they will never quite be capable of matching |
| The specification of a CPU is defined by its speed for | | | | the speed of the brain whose fingers deftly work a |
| example 900 MHz provides an approximation of the | | | | keyboard. |
| number of instructions that a CPU is able to process | | | | In addition a fast CPU back in the early nineties ran at |
| by the second - 900 million in this example. In addition | | | | around 386 MHz, an electronic component that would |
| the data handling capability of a CPU defines its power: | | | | today freeze being within close proximity of a modern |
| a 64-bit CPU is able to combine, stage-manage or | | | | PC game. |
| subtract numbers that are 64-bits wide. In the early | | | | |