If you have ever used a slow computer, then you know it is the ultimate test of patience. Luckily, tech advancement and the internet have led to the development of new, innovative solutions to make computers more than 1000 times faster than they were at their inception. A custom pc builder can help you identify any problems slowing down your current device. Here are a few areas to look at if your computer is getting slower or you want to buy a new, faster device.
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CPU
The processor is one of the most fundamental determinants of a computer’s speed. The processor executes the instruction you feed to your computer. The better the rate of execution per second, the higher the speed. For instance, the first-built computer could only execute about 90,000 instructions in a second, but today’s innovative computers execute more than 100 billion instructions per second. The CPU determines the computer’s ability to process data. You can know the speed of your CPU by going to your task manager to view how much CPU and memory it’s using at a given time.
RAM
The RAM represents a computer’s available memory to run different programs simultaneously in the background. When you have limited RAM, the computer automatically frees up memory by switching the unused data to the primary storage. The primary storage consists of hard drives and SSDs, the slowest forms of memory. The data remains there until it is used again. This data transfer makes your computer work slower.
Latest Operating System
The operating system is software that runs hand-in-hand with your hardware. The latest OS is written to interact with any new technologies that may interact with your computer. In the past, you would have to change the entire OS to keep up with the industry trends. But, currently, tech companies offer updates to the existing OS to support new technologies. Some examples of OS include Microsoft Windows, Apple iOS, Apple macOS, and more.
Cache
The Cache memory allows the free transfer of data between the CPU, RAM, and other computer components. The cache stores data to make it easily available when upon request. The data in the cache is accessible faster than what is in the RAM. As such, the higher the cache capacity, the more data it can store and the faster the retrieval rate, improving transmission.
Bus Speed
The bus speed is the rate at which your computer transfers data between the hardware components like the CPU and RAM. the bus connects different parts of the motherboard. The higher the bus speed, the less time you have to wait for your computer to share information and work efficiently. When purchasing a computer, select the one with the highest bus speed, which is measured in megahertz (MHz)
Hard Drive
Some parts of the hard drive can make it slower or faster. Traditional hard drives, referred to as HDDs, have moving parts that slow down the read and write terms. The speed at which these parts moved was measured in revolutions per minute (RPM); the higher the RPM, the faster the computer.
Currently, we do not use computers with HDD. Instead, we use computers with solid-state drives (SSD) with no moving parts. They rely on flash memory to write, erase and rewrite information electronically. Eliminating these moving parts fastened the speed of computers.
Video Card / GPU
The video card is also the discrete graphics card responsible for converting information in the computer’s memory to speed up image creation. It is an electronic circuit that plays a crucial role in computer or video games or projects that use many images. If you need a super-fast computer, you can purchase a separate video card, which is necessary for allowing the GPU to access the RAM to function. A separate video card comes with its independent set of RAM; this means this independent RAM will process your graphics, and the main computer’s RAM will perform other tasks. Combining the two sets of RAM will keep your computer working fast.
Software
Your computer’s software fixes any problems or bugs that may slow down your device. Regular updates keep the software at optimal performance. You may want to delete or disable any unused programs that are active when you turn on your computer to improve its speed.
Your computer’s hardware and software work together for fast responses. When shopping for a new device, check the specs to ensure the processor, memory, and other hardware are top-notch. Regularly update your software, clear your cache and check your OS to maintain high speeds.