How to start choosing a processor for a PC?

The processor can be safely considered the heart or brain of any PC - it is from this small piece of hardware that the performance of the computer as a whole largely depends. Therefore, the choice of the processor can be called the most important and difficult step when buying a system unit. Let's look at which CPU options are the most popular nowadays, and on which model of this important detail you should choose.

At present, the market for processors is almost completely divided between two manufacturers - Intel and AMD. These American companies produce many models of integrated electronics and have long divided the market. Each of the companies has entire product lines that fill certain niches in the computer components industry. Therefore, before you start choosing a processor, you should familiarize yourself with those brands and names, from which you will have to choose in the future. And to begin acquaintance with the world of CPU, it is desirable with the products of the leader in this field, which Intel has been for many years.

The choice of Intel processor should begin with the study of the rulers of this manufacturer, which can be conditionally divided into several large groups. The most simple and affordable Intel processors are the Celeron family. Most often, this marking can be found on the CPU of office machines or PCs for typing and solving simple tasks. In fact, the "goal-oriented" are the truncated Pentium chips, which Intel is famous for.

"Pentiums", which can be found both in simple home computers, and in powerful machines, are also divided into several subgroups. Single-core processors with this logo are marked with three digits (for example, Pentium 4 631), and on dual-core processors one can find the notation D or E - this depends on the kernel model used in the CPU. E are considered the best due to the fact that under high loads, they heat less. Dual-core processors from Intel can also be labeled Core 2 Duo.

The choice of the processor for games for any gamer begins with the study of "Pentium" rulers Core 2 Quad and Core i7. This is how the quad-core processors of this manufacturer are designated, which are rightfully considered to be one of the best in the world for performance at the moment. If you need a powerful computer to solve the most complex problems, then you should choose a processor with the logo "i7" or "Core 2 Quad" on the package.

The main competitor of Intel's products on the CPU market are AMD chips. For a budget computer, the choice of the processor of this manufacturer should begin with the study of products labeled "Sempron". Due to its low cost and reliability when used sparingly, this line has long been a direct competitor to Intel's "Celerons".

The most common processor from AMD, of course, is the Athlon. In this line you can find both single-core (they are denoted by the letters LE) and dual-core (marked with letters BE) CPU. "Athlons" are considered to be direct competitors of "Pentiums". If you are looking for an alternative to Intel's high-performance processors, the cost of which will not hit hard on your pocket, then you should pay attention to the chips with the Athlon logo.

The most powerful in the AMD family are the CPU called "Phenon". At the moment the manufacturer produces three- and four-core chips under this brand. "Phenones" are great for the most powerful computers, which will have to solve the most difficult tasks and work with the most modern 3D graphics.

The choice of processor is not an easy task even for the most advanced users. Finally I would like to remind you about the characteristics you should pay attention to before buying this important part of your PC:

- maximum and "working" core frequency;

- the frequency at which the data bus operates;

- the size of the L2 / L3 cache.

Good luck with your choice!