In January 2018, we looked at what’s next after the demise of Moore’s Law. Moore’s Law states that as the size of transistors shrinks, meaning that more can fit on a single chip, computer speed increases exponentially every two years. Soon, however, we will have reached the maximum number of transistors we can fit on a chip – they can only get so small. Then what? Where do we go from there? Let’s take a look at building a better computer:
CPU (Processor)
The CPU, or processor, is the brains of your computer. It determines the speed of your system by the amount of memory and storage not being used. This all depends on the size of the CPU – today’s processors can equip multi-core GHz (gigahertz), which means computers can process and execute upwards of 100 Billion commands per second. Talk about fast!
Cache
As we have just seen, computers nowadays can execute billions of commands per second. All this power requires a lot of memory. The memory we are familiar with, namely RAM and that in the hard drive, are too slow to execute such a high volume of commands in such a short time. That’s where cache comes in. Cache is another type of memory that’s faster than the aforementioned. Furthermore, having more cache in your system means the computer can process even more commands in that time frame. It’s worth noting that items in the cache can build up over time, causing your system to slow down. So, cleaning your cache regularly will help speed up your system. You can do this through the settings on your computer.
BUS
The bus is exactly what it sounds like – it transfers data to the appropriate hardware within the computer. The speed of the bus determines the speed at which data is transferred; a higher bus speed means faster data transfer. The CPU communicates with the bus, so a slower bus speed means the CPU has to wait longer for commands, thus slowing down your system. Today’s bus speeds are upwards of 400 MHz (megahertz), an improvement on former bus speeds of just 66 MHz.
Hard Disk Drive
Finally, the hard drive also determines overall computer speed. The hard drive stores all your documents, pictures, videos, downloads, and other files. Hard drives can take many forms: Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment (PATA), Serial ATA (SATA), Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), and Solid State Drive (SSD). A hard disk drive with moving parts can decrease computer speed, while SSD has no moving parts and makes for a faster system. It’s also worth noting that, if your computer has a hard drive with moving parts, moving the computer itself while it’s on can easily damage the internal mechanisms. Never move your laptop when it’s turned on. If you must, however, be very careful – pick it up gently and lay it down just the same.
At M&H Consulting, we understand that a fast computer is a must, whether it’s for personal use or for business. We can evaluate all your IT needs and recommend changes and updates where necessary, so you can get back to doing what you do best. We’re also your go-to IT consultant, so you can feel confident keeping us on retainer when the need arises. Contact M&H Consulting at 1-(866)-964-8324 or visit our website at http://www.mhconsults.com for an IT Evaluation.
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