Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Processor performance
Most people worry too much about processor performance. Here's the
truth. Midrange processors—those that sell for $150 (give or take $25)—
are noticeably faster than $50 to $100 entry-level processors. Performance
processors—those that sell for $300 (give or take $100)—are noticeably
faster than mainstream processors. Not night-and-day different, but it is
noticeable. The most expensive “extreme” processors, which sell for up to
$1,000, are typically two to four times faster than midrange processors.
For casual use—browsing the Web, checking email, word processing, and
so on—choose a $60 to $75 “value” processor. For a general-purpose sys-
tem, choose a processor that sells for $150 to $200 in retail-boxed form. If
you want a bit more processor horsepower for extreme gaming or other
tasks and are willing to pay the price, a performance processor may be
worth buying. It makes little sense to choose an extreme processor unless
cost is no object and performance is critical.
Video performance
Video performance, like processor performance, usually gets more atten-
tion than it deserves. It's probably no coincidence that processors and
video adapters are two of the most heavily promoted PC components.
When you design your PC, be careful not to get caught up in the hype. If
the PC will be used for intense 3D gaming or similarly demanding video
tasks, you need a high-end video adapter (or multiple video adapters).
Otherwise, you don't.
Integrated video—a video adapter built into the motherboard—is the
least expensive video solution and is perfectly adequate for most uses.
The incremental cost of integrated video ranges from $0 to perhaps $10,
relative to a similar motherboard without integrated video. The next step
up in video performance is a standalone video adapter, which requires the
motherboard to have a slot to accept it. Standalone video adapters range
in price from $25 or so up to $600 or more. A $75 to $100 video adapter is
sufficient to play most 3D games, particularly those that have been avail-
able for a year or more.
More expensive video adapters provide incrementally faster 3D video per-
formance and may support more recent versions of Microsoft DirectX, both
of which are of interest to serious gamers. A $150 to $200 video adapter suf-
fices to play even recent, demanding 3D games at reasonable resolutions
and frame rates.
Only rabid gamers buy the most expensive video adapters, and they get a
lot less for their money than you might expect. A $600 video adapter, for
example, isn't four times faster than a $150 video adapter. It may be only
25% faster, which for most people isn't worth the extra cost. High-end
video adapters also run hot and are generally equipped with dedicated
cooling fans, which produce additional noise.
When you design your PC, we recommend using integrated video unless
you need the faster 3D performance a standalone video adapter can pro-
vide. If you choose integrated video, make sure the motherboard has a PCI
Express x16 slot available in case you later decide to upgrade the video.
