|
|
|
|
gretriever
Hipster Doofus
|
|
|
Joined: 16 Jul 2003
Posts: 19385
Location: A moving target in a firing range.
|
| Back to top
|
|
 Posted: 11/19/03 - 12:57 Post subject: For the computer-coherent...
... what is a processor?* Our son claims his is going on its last legs, and needs a replacement. Also what's the cost of this (assuming we get one of decent quality)?
Much obliged, and no I don't know what kind of components he has.
* No laughter please. Just a heads-up that if you were playing Trivial Pursuit, and they had a computer category, you would not want me on your team.
|
|
|
|
|
purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
|
|
|
Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 14462
Location: ON YOUR LEFT!
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 11/19/03 - 13:02 Post subject: Re: For the computer-coherent...
| gretriever wrote: | | No laughter please. Just a heads-up that if you were playing Trivial Pursuit, and they had a computer category, you would not want me on your team. |
 points and laughs at g-dawg
I'm assuming he's talking about the box part of the computer that's not the monitor, mouse, keyboard or speakers.
The processor is really the chip that powers the whole thing. AFAIK, those don't have last legs, they just die.
|
|
|
|
|
TriBob
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 29 Aug 2002
Posts: 5771
Location: Lost in Transition
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 11/19/03 - 13:04 Post subject:
A silicon chip that contains a CPU. In the world of personal computers, the terms microprocessor and CPU are used interchangeably. At the heart of all personal computers and most workstations sits a microprocessor. Microprocessors also control the logic of almost all digital devices, from clock radios to fuel-injection systems for automobiles.
Three basic characteristics differentiate microprocessors:
Instruction set: The set of instructions that the microprocessor can execute.
bandwidth : The number of bits processed in a single instruction.
clock speed : Given in megahertz (MHz), the clock speed determines how many instructions per second the processor can execute.
In both cases, the higher the value, the more powerful the CPU. For example, a 32-bit microprocessor that runs at 50MHz is more powerful than a 16-bit microprocessor that runs at 25MHz.
In addition to bandwidth and clock speed, microprocessors are classified as being either RISC (reduced instruction set computer) or CISC (complex instruction set computer).
|
|
|
|
|
purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
|
|
|
Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 14462
Location: ON YOUR LEFT!
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 11/19/03 - 13:07 Post subject:
| TriBob wrote: | clock speed : Given in megahertz (MHz), the clock speed determines how many instructions per second the processor can execute.
In both cases, the higher the value, the more powerful the CPU. For example, a 32-bit microprocessor that runs at 50MHz is more powerful than a 16-bit microprocessor that runs at 25MHz. |
Time to update a little, no?
|
|
|
|
|
gretriever
Hipster Doofus
|
|
|
Joined: 16 Jul 2003
Posts: 19385
Location: A moving target in a firing range.
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 11/19/03 - 13:07 Post subject: Re: For the computer-coherent...
[quote="purple hayes"] | gretriever wrote: | | No laughter please. Just a heads-up that if you were playing Trivial Pursuit, and they had a computer category, you would not want me on your team. |
points and laughs at g-dawg
I fully acknowledge that I had that coming.
|
|
|
|
|
purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
|
|
|
Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 14462
Location: ON YOUR LEFT!
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 11/19/03 - 13:09 Post subject:
Good thing Trivial Pursuit doesn't have a category for UBB. 
|
|
|
|
|
Cappy
Excelent
|
|
|
Joined: 16 May 2002
Posts: 27368
Location: Spreadsheetylvania
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 11/19/03 - 13:16 Post subject:
| purple hayes wrote: | | Good thing Trivial Pursuit doesn't have a category for UBB. |
There is a book though
|
|
|
|
|
brie k
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 5661
Location: where the wild things are
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 11/19/03 - 13:24 Post subject:
We bought our processor last February for $380. It's a tiny little chip, but fast as all get out.
Specs: CPU: 2.08 ghz
Type: XP 2800 Barton Core
Cache: 512k L2, 128k L1, Total 640 kb
BUS: 333MHz
Socket A
OEM
It was easy to upgrade, just disassemble Johnny 5 and then put some thermal compound on it, reassemble, and that's that. (Took us quite a few hours-- but then we upgraded everything from the motherboard to the cooling fans to memory --and a lot of cursing and sweating).
However, since this isn't your type of thing, you might want to take it and have someone do it for you. Or, better, if you have the $$, just buy a new machine!
|
|
|
|
|
elkid
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 18 Nov 2002
Posts: 8353
Location: hiding out in Philly
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 11/19/03 - 14:12 Post subject:
I had no idea TriBob was such a geeky computer nerd. How sexy.
|
|
|
|
|
rolling rock
The Pinball
|
|
|
Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16218
Location: unknown zone
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 11/19/03 - 14:33 Post subject:
| elkid wrote: | | I had no idea TriBob was such a geeky computer nerd. How sexy. |
|
|
|
|
|
TriBob
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 29 Aug 2002
Posts: 5771
Location: Lost in Transition
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 11/19/03 - 14:47 Post subject:
| elkid wrote: | | I had no idea TriBob was such a geeky computer nerd. How sexy. |
3 term Computer Club Prez at WCU. 
|
|
|
|
|
gretriever
Hipster Doofus
|
|
|
Joined: 16 Jul 2003
Posts: 19385
Location: A moving target in a firing range.
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 11/19/03 - 15:02 Post subject:
| brie k wrote: | | However, since this isn't your type of thing, you might want to take it and have someone do it for you. |
Our son can do it - he's done it before. The pecking order for getting around the computer in our house would be: David, my wife, Max (and as he's no longer with us, this says plenty about...), me.
| brie k wrote: | | Or, better, if you have the $$, just buy a new machine! |
This has given me the best laugh of the day! Thanks, dear!
|
|
|
|
|
purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
|
|
|
Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 14462
Location: ON YOUR LEFT!
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 11/19/03 - 15:13 Post subject:
| gretriever wrote: | | brie k wrote: | | Or, better, if you have the $$, just buy a new machine! |
This has given me the best laugh of the day! Thanks, dear! |
Usually by the time a processor has gotten old enough to warrant replacement, the motherboard and memory need to be upgraded too and then it usually is cheaper to get a new machine (sans monitor, keyboard and mouse).
|
|
|
|
|
TimRuns
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 10062
Location: Coquitlam, British Columbia
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 11/20/03 - 03:54 Post subject: Re: For the computer-coherent...
[quote="gretriever"] | purple hayes wrote: | | gretriever wrote: | | No laughter please. Just a heads-up that if you were playing Trivial Pursuit, and they had a computer category, you would not want me on your team. |
points and laughs at g-dawg
I fully acknowledge that I had that coming. |
|
|
|
|
|
MechEngDropout
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 27 Jun 2003
Posts: 10474
Location: Off the grid
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 11/20/03 - 07:45 Post subject:
Tim, you realize if you quote someone with incorrect format, you too will have incorrect format? Sorry, but you need the sign too.
|
|
|
|
