Your Computer's CPU
Central Processing Unit

The CPU, Central Processing Unit, is one of several components determining the overall performance of a computer. Until recently, all computers had only a single core processor.

AMD's "Athlon 64 X2" and Intel's Pentium D "Dual Core" turned the computer world upside down. Both chip manufactures had been unable to break the 4GHz processing speed barrier due to the heat generation in single core chips causing computers to overheat. The "Dual Core" chips from both manufactures accomplished this increase in power by completing more instructions per CPU cycle providing an obvious increase in processing power and efficiency while running slower CPU clock speeds while using less power and generating less heat.

A head to head test between "AMD Athlon 64 X2" and Intel's "Dual Core" processors showed clearly that AMD had a better solution. In an independent test performed by C/Net , the AMD lineup of Dual Core chips out performed Intel's set of Dual Core processors in all test categories.

Within months, Intel released an improved version of the "Dual Core" called the "Core 2 Duo". The Core 2 Duo, C2D, uses 40% less power consumption and is up to 40% faster. With each CPU clock cycle, the Core 2 Duo can complete four instructions instead of Dual Core's three instructions per CPU clock cycle ( This is only true for software written for multi-threading). Intel increased the FSB, front side bus, speed from 800MHz to 1066MHz. They also implemented shared level 2 cache. This is cache memory located on the CPU. Depending on the model of C2D processor you could have from 2MB to 4MB of cache memory. This cache can be dynamically allocated to the each core based upon need. Having more cache means quicker performance because of less calls to system memory are required. Intel's Dual Core processors have cache memory but will not dynamically allocate the cache between the cores. Some applications can not take advantage of dual core processing because the application is not multi-threaded. Applications that are not multi-threaded can not take advantage of a multi-core CPU and could run slower than some single core CPUs with faster clock cycle speeds (MHz). Core 2 Duo processors are more expensive. But often price is not a good indicator of value. The real cost of a computer must be measured over its life cycle. When you take into account a longer effective life cycle, faster and more compatible service; your cost of ownership is ultimately lower. RevelsNet Recommends:
If you want to build the least expensive computer with a Dual Core processor, my recommendation would be an AMD Athlon 64 X2 processor.
If you would like to have the best performance at the lowest operational cost than use Intel's 2.4 GHz E6600 processor. See Trusted Reviews for more information.

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