Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Deciphering the specs

Is a single 64-bit processor better than a dual-core 32-bit processor? What is the difference between DDR2 Memory and regular SDRAM? Technology moves fast, and no longer in any kind of linear way where the latest version is always the best.
andrewbyline

Is a single 64-bit processor better than a dual-core 32-bit processor? What is the difference between DDR2 Memory and regular SDRAM?

Technology moves fast, and no longer in any kind of linear way where the latest version is always the best. In fact, technology seems to be moving in all directions at the same time.

It didn’t use to be this complicated. There was a bit of insanity in the early days with 50 different computer companies building their own systems and software, but the consolidation in components and operating systems brought about a brief period of unity through the mid-90s and early part of this decade. If you were shopping for a new computer in those days all you really had look at to measure a computer was processor speed, memory, hard drive capacity and what software was included. Maybe you’d invest in an additional graphics card or sound card.

Now customers are forced to choose between several different types of processors that belong to the same generation (32-bit, 64-bit, dual core 32-bit, or 64-bit dual core "quad"); different types of system memory (SDRAM, RDRAM, DDR2 RAM, Dual Channel DDR2); as well as different types of hard drives, graphic cards, motherboards and more.

Here’s what you need to know:

Processors

Every CPU is constantly tested against every other CPU, usually by lining up a selection of different processors and timing them as they perform complicated tasks on various types of software. The bad news is that there’s never any clear winner – while 64-bit chips are better for projects like editing video, dual core 32-bit and high speed 32-bit processors are still better for some activities. That’s largely a function of the software, however, as companies are slow to release operating systems and programs that make full, efficient use of the 64-bit architecture.

When they do get around to it, a 64-bit processor can crunch at least twice the amount of data compared to a 32-bit system at standard clock speeds, and sometimes a lot more because the 64-bit architecture also makes it possible to use more memory and handle large files.

That’s why the best option these days is the 64-bit dual core solution, which is forward compatible (or "future proof" as they say in the industry) for the day companies finally get around to upgrading everything to 64-bit – although that solution is prohibitively expensive for most users.

The dual-core 32-bit solution is probably your next best bet. Dual core essentially means that you’re running two interconnected processors simultaneously off the same chip. Performance ratings differ in tests, but some say dual core is 40 per cent faster (and more energy efficient) than single core processors. The only limitation is that your motherboard has to be pretty new to allow you to upgrade to a dual core from a single core processor (or from a dual core 32-bit to a dual core 64-bit), and that companies have been slow to optimize operating systems and software to make full use of the dual core architecture.

For reasons of cost and complexity, 32-bit processors continue to dominate the market. If that’s okay for most of your applications you can usually base your final decision on speed, bus speed (how quickly your processor communicates with the rest of your computer), and the size of your L2 or L3 Cache (additional active memory for processors to access). If you’re looking to do a lot of graphics heavy applications like movie editing or gaming, steer clear of processors with integrated graphics capability.

Memory and Storage

Memory is easier to shop for than a processor. The number of programs and files you can have open at any given time is limited by system memory, as any program or file you’re working on is not being assessed directly from your hard drive, but rather is temporary loaded to your memory where it can more easily be accessed and altered.

The RDRAM vs. SDRAM battle has been going on a long time, and while some people give the performance edge to SDRAM in both cases your main issue seems to be capacity. DDR (Double Data Rate) SDRAM is like regular SDARAM, but with higher bandwith that allows the system to move larger packets of information in less time. Most computers use some form of DDR these days, and it’s a minimum requirement to running certain types of processors and software. My advice is to go big when choosing memory – even if you’ll never use it all at once, having that extra capacity will improve your system performance.

Hard Drives

Storage is relatively cheap these days, and most products offer similar spin rates, bus speeds, and other specifications, though size and density can vary. There are also RAID hard drives that back up your information as you go which are good for business users with sensitive information to protect. Most home users can easily back up their important files on CD-ROMs, DVDs and external drives, and won’t need what RAID offers.

Again, my advice is to go big – home movies, digital photos, digital music collections, etc. take up a lot of storage, and filling up your drive past a certain point will slow your system down.

Graphics Cards

Most people buy high-end graphics cards for two applications – video editing and gaming. If you fall in either category, the best way to figure out what to buy is take a close look at the software you want to use to determine your minimum system requirements… and then overshoot those specs by as much as you can afford. Like memory, having extra graphics capacity improves performance.

For more complete definitions of terms, visit www.webopedia.com. For reviews of products visit www.cnet.com.