Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
faster than real-time. (That is, rendering a 10-minute video takes only a
couple of minutes.) Rendering that same 10-minute raw video segment
on a budget processor might take 10 or 15 minutes, which is a huge dif-
ference when you're actually sitting staring at the screen waiting for the
render to finish.
• Processors in the “sweet spot” range—$150 to $200 for a retail-boxed
processor—usually represent the best bang for the buck. They're notice-
ably faster than budget processors for even moderately demanding ap-
plications, and are fast enough even for CPU-intensive tasks like casual
video rendering.
• Buy the processor you need initially, rather than buying a slower proces-
sor now and planning to upgrade later. Processor upgrades, both AMD
and Intel, are a minefield of compatibility issues.
Recommendedprocessors
For appliance systems, the
Intel Atom
is hard to beat. Intel, ASUS, and GIGABYTE
all offer very good Mini-ITX motherboards with embedded Atom processors.
Zotec offers excellent Atom motherboards, but they're very pricey (too much
so, we think).
For budget systems, dual-, triple-, or quad-core
AMD Athlon II
or
Phenom
processors in the sub-$100 range offer more cores, threads, and overall perfor-
mance than similarly priced Intel processors, although Intel sells a lot of Pentium
E- and G-series processors in this price range due to its reputation for quality,
compatibility, and reliability.
For mainstream and higher systems, it's all Intel. We recommend choosing
your processor according to your budget from among the broad range of
Intel
Core i3
,
Core i5
, and
Core i7
processors.
Heatsink/FanUnits(CPUCoolers)
Modern processors may consume from 25W to 130W or more. Nearly all sys-
tems deal with the resulting heat by placing a massive metal heatsink in close
contact with the processor and using a fan to draw air through the heatsink
fins. This device is called a
heatsink/fan
(HSF) or
CPU cooler
.
Most AMD and Intel processors are available with or without a bundled CPU
cooler. The bulk, OEM, or white-box form includes just the processor. The retail-
boxed form costs a few bucks more and includes the same processor with a
bundled CPU cooler (and, usually, a longer warranty).
Bundled CPU coolers have gotten much better over the years. Although after-
market units may provide better cooling and lower noise levels, the bundled
CPU cooler is generally more than good enough to cool the CPU while keep-
ing noise down to an acceptable level. Gamers, overclockers, and others who
run their processors hot may find an aftermarket CPU cooler worth the extra
money, as may those who want to build the quietest possible system. For most
other people, a retail-boxed processor with bundled CPU cooler is the best
choice.
