is the process of squeezing more CPU cycles out of their chips by forcing the processor to run faster than it was designed to. Some people do this by increasing either the FSB or the clock multiplier of the CPU. New CPU’s today “LOCK” the multiplier, so the only way to tweak the CPU is by increasing the FSB. The advantage of this is that your CPU runs at faster speed for a lower price than buying a chip designed for that speed. The bad part is the CPU may need more voltage to support the faster speed and that increases the amount of heat that is generated. It also voids the warranty on your PC.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
CLOCK MULTIPLIER
is the other half of the CPU speed equation is set in the processor by the manufacturers. So, if you have a 133MHZ FSB CPU, with a clock multiplier of 5.5, you’re actual CPU speed is 733MHZ.
- 133mhz x 5.5 = 733MHZ
- 133mhz x 5.5 = 733MHZ
FRONT SIDE BUS
is the speed (measured in MHZ) of the bus between the Processor and RAM. As the front side bus increases, so does the rate data is moved from the CPU to Memory (Fetching and Storing). Common processors today offer front side bus speeds of: 100MHZ to 133MHZ. There are also front side bus speeds today that reached 200MHZ, 266MHZ and 400MHZ but they really are variations of 100 to 133MHZ, with more than one instruction going at a time.
CPU
processors are the “BRAINS” of the PC, and generally it determines how fast the PC is. The CPU does DATA CRUNCHING in four steps: FETCHING, DECODING, EXECUTING and STORING. The speed of the CPU is measured in MHZ, and is calculated by multiplying the “FRONT SIDE BUS” by the “CLOCK MULTIPLIER”. MHZ is not the end of all CPU performance. CPU’s consume energy, and give off heat. Sometimes, the CPU gives off lots of it. Pieces of metal are attached to the CPU to pull heat away from the chip, fans are also mounted on these heat sinks to help blow the hot air away from the CPU. Thermal tape and Thermal grease also helps cool down the heat from the CPU.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Software Licensing
- Most software is “Licensed” for use thanks to “Microsoft”.
- When you buy software, you are usually buying the right to use the software on one PC, and make one backup copy of the original media. Software piracy is using software on more PC’S than you have purchased licenses for.
- IF BUYING SOFTWARE FOR A BUSINESS, YOU CAN USUALLY GET LICENSES IN BULK FOR A DISCOUNT
- SOME SOFTWARE IS AVAILABLE UNDER A FREE LICENSE, BUT IT CANNOT BE PACKAGED AND RESOLD
- SHAREWARE SOFTWARE IS FREE TO TRY, BUT MUST BE PURCHASED AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME.
Software
- Software, also called computer programs, is a series of instructions that tells the hardware of a PC what to do. Software is not as physically tangible as hardware, but it is just as important to a PC.
- System software controls the operation of the PC and its devices, and provides an interface to the PC for the user. Operating system software controls all activities of the PC. The OS is loaded when ever the PC is turned on. Most operating systems today offer a graphical user interface, instead of the old text based command lines.
- Utility software is usually small applications designed to manage a part of the PC’s hardware or software.
- Application software is what makes a Personal Computer useful. Applications perform specific tasks, like a word processor, web browser, video editor, etc.
- Software usually comes on CD, DVD, floppies, etc., but can also be downloaded from the internet or a network.
PC Math Lessons
- Computers count in binary (base 2), and not in base 10. The smallest piece of data in a computer is a BIT, which can either be a 0 (or OFF) or 1(or ON).
- BITS vs. BYTES a byte is made up of 8 bits.
- The metric system in the PC world
o Bytes, Kilobytes(KB)
o Megabaytes (MB)
o Gigabytes (GB)
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