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