Processors, Graphics

Top processors, graphics cards

For high-end desktop computers, most reviews focus on gaming and video applications because computers have become so fast that mere office applications aren't much of a challenge for them. However, power business users will also appreciate these computer systems' muscle (as will other users who like to run many applications simultaneously). If you want the very best computer, look for the following features:

Quad-core processors. As Intel continues to release new quad-core processors, prices for older ones drop. Most software is not yet able to take full advantage of even the fastest dual-core processors, but any computer buyer should be happy that future software will run faster on the computer you buy today. One major advantage of a multi-core CPU is that it requires less energy and runs cooler than a single-core processor. That's an obvious advantage for overclocking (running a CPU at a higher speed than rated by Intel or AMD). Multi-core processing is also an advantage for multitasking.

Intel's newest quad-core processor is the Core 2 Extreme QX6850, which runs at 3GHz and has a 1,333MHz front-side bus speed (the fastest bus speed to date). The 2.93GHz Intel QX6800, introduced in the spring, is still the default option in most top-of-the-line machines. Intel's Eric Kim says the benefits include "better game-play with more intelligent computer-generated opponents, and less wait time for demanding high-definition media editing." Kim also indicates that Adobe, Cakewalk and Sony have developed software that capitalizes on four-core processing for video capture and editing. Intel claims the QX6800 is up to 65% faster for video editing than the older 2.93GHz quad-core X6800.

High-end computers have a quad-core or dual-core processor in Intel's Core 2 Duo line. Some budget gaming computers use AMD's dual-core processors, but experts agree that AMD currently lags Intel in the speediest-CPUs competition. Things are about to get interesting, however, as AMD's quad-core Opteron (code named Barcelona) was scheduled to be released in August, and Intel's next generation dual and quad-core chips (code-named Penryn) are on the way.

SLI or Crossfire graphics. Editors at [H]Consumer and other experts say that the video card and the CPU (in that order) are the biggest factors in determining gaming performance. Cards based on NVIDIA's GeForce 8 series of graphics processors are widely regarded as the best. The current top model is the GeForce 8800 GTX, which supports DirectX 10 API in Windows Vista.

For gaming computers, the trend is installing dual matching graphics cards, called Scalable Link Interface (SLI). A competing setup is called CrossFire, which works similarly. Smooth game play depends heavily on the graphics engine and the frame rates produced; higher frame rates mean that moving images and action sequences will run more smoothly, with fewer jitters or hangups. PC Magazine's Joel Santo Domingo writes, "The matched and bridged graphics cards share the load rendering pixels, giving the user a rich and smooth gaming experience -- even at high resolutions with all the 'eye candy' turned on." Experts such as PC World's Tom Mainelli say that dual SLI graphics cards are overkill for everyone except hard-core gamers, so if you don't need a gaming computer, you can save a lot by going with a single video card.

Max out the RAM. Quad-core processors are helpful for multitasking -- such as burning a DVD while surfing the Internet and working on a large Excel spreadsheet. RAM is also important for office multitasking and gaming. More RAM means faster data access and better transitions and speed when working with more than one application. Most reviews say that Vista works only adequately with 1GB of RAM and that 2GB is much better.

All three of the above core components can be overclocked. Enthusiasts use overclocking to force hardware to operate beyond the speeds specified by the manufacturer, greatly increasing heat output. That can considerably shorten the life of hardware and may cause system instability, failure of other components and burnout of overclocked components. Many systems can now be purchased that are factory overclocked. Since doing your own overclocking voids your warranty, this is a big advantage. Pre-overclocked computers are very expensive, however. You pay for an elaborate cooling system (usually water-cooling) and the warranty. Overclocking is really only of interest to gamers.

Noise is another issue with gaming computers (and all computers to some extent). Many use Western Digital's 10,000RPM Raptor series hard drives, which are very fast, but noisy. Cooling systems can be loud, too. Reviews of gaming computers always address the noise issue. Puget Custom Computers and Dell are praised in reviews for relative quietness. Several manufacturers make cases that are engineered to minimize noise. Antec cases get the best reviews in that regard, but cases that minimize noise may not dissipate heat as well as those that have more ventilation.

Power users who don't play games, work with moving video, or work with other media applications (such as audio recording or Photoshop editing) can easily pay for more processing power than they need. A CPU rating is like a speedometer -- it shows how fast you can go, not how fast you will go. Most people use their computers for applications that are analogous to driving on city streets. Your hardware is not the determining factor in how fast you go. For Internet applications, your connection speed matters far more than your computer's hardware.