DoIT Showroom Buyer's Guide

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I. What Choosing a Processor Means for You

The processor of the computer handles all of the information for the computer from interpreting your keyboard strokes to reading the software you install. Since the processor is at the heart of everything the computer does and usually cannot be upgraded, choosing the right processor is probably the most important thing when buying a computer.

That said, processors are often distinguished by their speed and people tend to have different expectations for speed. How you perceive the speed of your computer will also be impacted by the programs you choose to run. Choosing a processor which can handle more processes will decrease the amount of time you wait. You are encouraged to consider the type of programs you want to run and how fast, this will inform what type of processor you want. Most softwares will list minimum requirements on their boxes/websites. Minimum requirements simply indicate the program will run, for best results, double these requirements.

High End Processors
Intensive Statistical Analysis, Professional Video and Audio Editing, and Advanced 3-D Gaming
Core i7 Intel's newest processor offering, currently only available in desktop models. i7 chips contain four cores of computing power. Supports Hyper-threading and Intel "Turbo Boost" technology.	Phenom X4 Built to deliver the ultimate HD quality video without freezing up your system, quad-core Phenom X4 chips are designed to be energy efficient and run quieter and cooler than other models.
Core 2 Quad Contains four processing cores to optimize gaming, video, and image processing. Built on the same architecture as the Core 2 Duo.	Phenom X3 Phenom X3 processors boast a triple-core that offers similar HD performance to the quad-core Phenom X4 while running quietly and coolly as well.
Core 2 Extreme Available in both dual and quad core versions, distinguishing features of the Extreme series include higher bus speeds than the non-extreme versions, and an unlocked clock multiplier for further customization of your computing performance.	Turion X2 Ultra Found in laptops and desktops, it is able to handle 32 and 64 bit computing, this processor is built for speed, able to process up to 14.4 GB of information every second with its HyperTransport technology.
Mid Range Processors
Speed & Multitasking, Adobe Creative Suite, and basic 3-D Graphics
Core 2 Duo Contains two processing cores to optimize gaming, video, and image processing. Laptops with this chip tend to be thinner and and more energy-efficient.	Athlon X2 Dual core processor that is 80% faster than it's single core counterpart. Great for multitasking and your basic graphic and video editing.
Pentium 4 Single core processor which can reach speeds over 3Ghz. Includes Hyperthreading.	Turion X2 Dual core processor that can often be found in most mid to upper level notebooks and desktops.
Economy Processors
Email, Internet Browsing, and Simple Games
Centrino A package which includes Pentium M or Core Duo, a model of motherboard, and a wireless card. Offers slight performace boost over simply choosing a core duo and dell wireless card (which is typically less expensive.)	Sempron Powerful yet economically priced single core processor with built in security features that help protect against viruses and other malware.
Atom Primarily found in netbooks, this processor has been designed with low power consumption in mind. As a result, it offers much less processing power than other current Intel alternatives.	Athlon Single core processor that offers great performance for all your basic needs.
Celeron Intel's economy model processor. It is the most basic, and thus the slowest. It has less cache than other Intel processors, so even if it has the same Ghz rating as another processor, it will be slower. We usually do not recommend this processor because it offers the least in terms of longevity.

II. Benchmarks

This is not meant to be a comprehensive list, but rather a way to identify different branches in processors. To see a more comprehensive comparison of specific processor types, follow the benchmark links below. Benchmark websites rank processors within and between series. Remember, the top-rated processors tend to be used for servers, not personal computers (for example, quad core processors.) It's usually best to look for mid-range charts and samples. A good example of a mid-range processor is the Intel Core2 Duo 2.0 Ghz. Try comparing this processor to others you see in computers you are considering.

III. Special Features Explained

There are a couple of buzzwords used to describe special features related to processors. They are reviewed here.