Regarding the overall engineering of computers: what makes a computer FAST?

[Tiger99]

Quick question about the overall engineering of acomputer.... I
understand that there are several components of a computer involved in
the computer's ability to process tasks (e.g., the amount of memory,
the processor's speed, the front side bus, etc.).

My question is: which components are essential in having the fastest
response time from a computer? Is it a fast processor, large amount
of RAM and fast FSB (front side bus)? Or is it also variable,
depending on the task?

Thanks for any input,

- Mike

 

[Jeremy]

I think it depends, like RAM makes the programs run
faster if alot of programs are open and increases the
time to navigate through things that require alot of
memory. Processor is to speed up load times, and
processor speed supports the RAM by letting it run at its
alloted memory level. But you can't just have a computer
with alot of RAM and a slow processor and vice versa,
because they both don't support each other's speeds. So
if you get a large motherboard, with lots of RAM and
other essentials, make sure you have the right equipment
to support the computer. When your computer runs well,
that means the processor and RAM both like each other,
and you should give yourself a pat on the back for
that . I'm not too familiar about the FSB though. Hope
this answered your question.

 

[GSV Three Minds in a Can]

Quick question about the overall engineering of acomputer.... I
understand that there are several components of a computer involved in
the computer's ability to process tasks (e.g., the amount of memory,
the processor's speed, the front side bus, etc.).

My question is: which components are essential in having the fastest
response time from a computer? Is it a fast processor, large amount
of RAM and fast FSB (front side bus)? Or is it also variable,
depending on the task?

It depends on the task.

For some things a 300Mhz processor with enough RAM will stomp all over a
2Ghz processor with too little RAM.

For video processing, or scientific calculations, there is no such thing
as too many Ghz.

For Games the speed of the graphics card (graphics processor) makes more
difference than the CPU in many cases.

The speed/latency of the disks is also important, if you applications
read/write a lot of data.

If you are browsing the web, the speed of you internet connection
basically controls how fast things happen.

etc. etc.

 

[Charlie Klatzkin]

Strictly an engineering answer.

If you remove the OS from the equation, then this would be the order of what
makes a computer fast:
Processor, FSB, Memory (type not amount), support chips. Other items don't
matter. Type of interface, HD, video, etc. are slower in relation to the
processor speed.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Quick question about the overall engineering of acomputer.... I
understand that there are several components of a computer involved in
the computer's ability to process tasks (e.g., the amount of memory,
the processor's speed, the front side bus, etc.).

My question is: which components are essential in having the fastest
response time from a computer? Is it a fast processor, large amount
of RAM and fast FSB (front side bus)? Or is it also variable,
depending on the task?

What you surmise in your last sentence is correct. It depends on
what's going on. In addition to the components you mention, the
speed of the video card and the speed of the hard drive (and
other things) are also often important factors.