|
Genesis Computer Service customers have lots of great questions, but the biggest always seems to surround the differences between processors. This, of course, is a very good question! Now anyone can do the research and get all the very technical "ins and out" of all the specifications, but what our valued customers really want to know are the simple and most basic facts so that they can make the most informed investment decision. Below is a table that shows the current array of available processors that Genesis Computer Service recommends and carries:
|
Manufacturer
|
Processor Class
|
Speeds
|
Relevant Specifications
|
|
Intel
|
Celeron
|
333 - 700MHz
|
Socket 370 Plactic Pin Grid Array (PPGA)
66MHz Front Side Bus (FSB)
32KB Level 1 Cache (L1)
128KB Level 2 Cache (L2) at Full Speed of the Processor
Multimedia Extensions for Enhanced Video and Sound Performance (MMX)
|
|
Intel
|
Pentium II
|
350 - 500MHz
|
Slot 1 Cartridge
100MHz Front Side Bus (FSB)
32KB Integrated Level 1 Cache (L1)
512KB Level 2 Cache (L2) at Half Speed of the Processor
Multimedia Extensions for Enhanced Video and Sound Performance (MMX)
|
|
Intel
|
Pentium III
|
450 - 1200MHz
|
Slot 1 Cartridge or FCPGA Socket
100 - 133MHz Front Side Bus (FSB)
32KB Integrated Level 1 Cache (L1)
512KB Level 2 Cache (L2) at Half Speed of the Processor
Processor Serial Number
Multimedia Extensions for Enhanced Video, Sound and 3D Performance (MMX+)
|
|
Intel
|
Pentium IV
|
1300 - 2000MHz (1.3GHz - 2.0GHz)
|
FCPGA Socket
400MHz Front Side Bus (FSB)
Processor Serial Number
Reduced Multimedia Extensions for Enhanced Video, Sound and 3D Performance (MMX-)
Very Suitable for Office Applications
Uses Expensive Intel RamBus Memory
|
|
AMD
|
K6-2
|
350 - 550MHz
|
Socket 7 Ceramic Pin Grid Array (CPGA)
66MHz Front Side Bus (FSB)
64KB Level 1 Cache (L1)
128KB Level 2 Cache (L2) at Full Speed of the Processor
Multimedia Extensions for Enhanced Video and Sound Performance (MMX)
3DNow! Technology for Front End Multimedia Processing
|
|
AMD
|
K6-3
|
350 - 550MHz
|
Socket 7 Plastic Pin Grid Array (PPGA)
100MHz Front Side Bus (FSB)
64KB Level 1 Cache (L1)
256KB Level 2 Cache (L2) at Full Speed of Processor
2MB External Level 3 Cache (L3) at 100MHz
Multimedia Extensions for Enhanced Video and Sound Performance (MMX+)
3DNow! Technology for Front End Multimedia Processing
|
|
AMD
|
Athlon
|
450 - 1100MHz
|
Slot A Cartridge / Socket A
100 - 200MHz Front Side Bus (FSB) Expandable Beyond 400MHz
200MHz Internal System Bus Expandable Beyond 400MHz
128KB Level 1 Cache (L1)
512KB Level 2 Cache (L2) Expandable Beyond 8MB
Multimedia Extensions for Enhanced Video, Sound and 3D Performance (MMX+)
3DNow!+ Technology for Enhanced Front End Multimedia Processing
|
|
AMD
|
Duron
|
500 - 1200MHz
|
Socket A
100 - 200MHz Front Side Bus (FSB)
200MHz Internal System Bus
192 Level 1 (L1) and Level 2 (L2) Cache
Multimedia Extensions for Enhanced Video, Sound and 3D Performance (MMX+)
3DNow!+ Technology for Enhanced Front End Multimedia Processing
|
|
AMD
|
Thunderbird
|
800 - 1400MHz and XP+
|
Slot A Cartridge / Socket A
200 - 266MHz Front Side Bus (FSB) Expandable Beyond 400MHz
200 - 266MHz Internal System Bus Expandable Beyond 400MHz
128KB Level 1 Cache (L1)
512KB Level 2 Cache (L2) Expandable Beyond 8MB
Multimedia Extensions for Enhanced Video, Sound and 3D Performance (MMX+)
3DNow!+ Technology for Enhanced Front End Multimedia Processing
|
|
|
|
|
|
Front Side Bus (FSB) - The speed at which the system can transfer data between memory and the processor
Level 1 Cache (L1) - Memory integrated into the processor to pre-fetch data from memory or pre-write data to memory
Level 2 Cache (L2) - Processor memory that augments Level 1 cache to further increase data transfer rates
Multimedia Extensions (MMX) - Processor instructions that assist with the back-end processing of multimedia events; such as 3D graphics rendering, video and sound
3DNow! - Instructions that perform front-end processing of multimedia events; such as 3D graphics rendering, video and sound
When deciding on a processor, think about what your application and budget restraints are. The AMD is an inexpensive solution with good business applications, but superior gaming characteristics. The Intel Pentium processor is the better business processor, but generally costs considerably more than its AMD counterpart. The Celeron is a good compromise for the Pentium if your budget is limited and you still want a quality Genesis Computer Service system.
Regardless of your needs or where you make your purchase, your upgrade options are determined by the type of processor you choose. Genesis Computer Service engineers, however, have designed several entry level systems that can truly be upgraded to the most advanced systems we offer. Let our customer representatives show you the real meaning of upgrade.
Important Note!
In a bid to keep up with the pace of technology, chipset manufacturers and processor manufacturers have gotten out of synchronization. This has created an unstable platform at processor speeds above 1200MHz (1.2GHz). Genesis Computer Service engineers recommend that you give this information serious consideration before deciding to purchase any system, particularly an Intel based system.
|
