How to choose a processor ?

AMD

First I'll show you the essential details and specific to two key players on the market in terms of processors: AMD and Intel. Start with AMD.

The HyperTransport

The HyperTransport (HT) is the memory bus which provides communication between the chipset and processor. When choosing your processor will therefore that the HT indicated on the technical data processor coincides with that of your motherboard.

The socket

At AMD there are several sockets, whose best known are:
The socket AM2 (Evolution Socket 939 for Athlons 64, X2, FX and Semprons)
The socket AM2 + (Evolution of AM2, with whom he is compatible, for Phenoms quadcores and tricores)
The socket A (for Athlons and Durons now outdated)
The socket F (for Opterons)


At the time of purchase you will have to check if the socket processor and motherboard are the same.

Different processors

AMD covers all ranges. The processors single, double, triple and quadruple heart.
The processors are a heart unattractive, outdated.
In doubles heart it is wise to start a 64x2 4200. The 64x2 6400 may agree to a computer gamer midrange. In triple heart, the entry level is excellent for office and high-end Phenom x3 will satisfy gamers playing with equipment midrange. A overclock and go ;-)
When the Phenom x4 they are mostly very good for what is advanced applications but can be adapted to the games and will be even more powerful after a overclock. We still regret the gap in performance between the dual-core Intel and AMD.

Intel Processors

Intel currently dominates the market for processors and can say that it is justified. We will see how to select the right Intel processor.


The Front Side Bus

The Front Side Bus (FSB) is the bus system allowing the processor to communicate with the ram, all under the control of Northbridge. Again it will be necessary for the FSB supported by your motherboard is more than or equal to the FSB processor that you intend to buy.
The socket

• There are several sockets at Intel whose best known are:
• The socket 775 (for Core 2 Duo and Pentium)
• The socket 771 (for Xéons)
• The socket 478 (for the first P4, now outdated)

So check when purchasing that the socket of your processor and your motherboard are the same.
The various Intel processors

There are a package, but Intel, unlike AMD, has not (yet) created three processor cores.
It is therefore the entry level with the E2160 which is sufficient for office use.

Then, the E4x00 series which is excellent at overclocking, and if you ever decide to take it for word processing, you'll feel at ease. This series processor may also agree to a PC games with entry level graphics card as a 8600GT/HD3650.

After that comes the top of the range Intel, the E8x00 otherwise known Wolfdale. They agree to marvel computers games and you will be satisfied without any doubt overclocking given their fine engraving that is, the recall, the lowest existing at the time of this writing: 45nanos.

And then, how to proceed next to the QX9770, scored Extreme series, clocked at 3.2 Ghz, 12MB cache. In short: a monster that you will be difficult to overcome and which will be powerful enough to run in parallel with the most powerful graphics card (HD3870x2, 9800GX2 and future HD4870 and GT200).