Overclocking your Processor

Overclocking, which was once the domain of power users and high-end gamers, has now gone mainstream. It’s true that overclocking might prove to be a shot in the arm for your CPU. However, if things go awry, you could well have a fried CPU.

There are scads of information regarding overclocking on the Internet. But sadly, most of the websites tout overclocking as a walk in the park, misleading users by concealing the associated risks. A computer novice, unaware of the risks involved, may set out to overclock the processor based on some advice he got from such a website. This really makes me cringe. Is the whole process of overclocking a no-brainer?

In simple words, overclocking your processor requires an alteration in the hardware settings in order to make it run faster than the manufacturer’s specification. The ideology is that the manufacturer’s ratings are a result of stringent trials and tests performed against the CPU. Then onwards, the CPU is tagged with a particular clock frequency at which it can take up substantial workload on a regular basis without malfunctioning. This clock rate is often a notch lower than the maximum a CPU can sustain.

PC enthusiasts perceive this as a windfall, and try to breach the frequency barriers set by the manufacturers. This can be a viable option for CPUs which can be easily overclocked, since some CPUs have better overclockability than others. But in general, overclocking your processor can be a risk-prone endeavor.

Overclocking is also employed by a few unscrupulous component resellers. They overclock a processor, falsely remark it as a high speed processor, and then onwards sell it at profit. Major brands like Intel strive to curtail such swindling acts. Intel has employed a mechanism called CPU locking, where the clock multiplier is set to a permanent value. Therefore, overclocking your processor, especially if it’s an Intel product, is a bit harder than usual.

A point to be noted is that Intel’s CPU locking mechanism has much to do with unscrupulous vendors rather than end user overclocking. But at the end, it looks like you might have to seek out other means for overclocking your processor.

Let’s say you really want something extra from your existing CPU, but you are on a shoestring budget, and the best possible option is overclocking. Even if you opt for overclocking your processor, you need to take a few precautions, lest it can be a real bummer for you.

The conventional heat sink and CPU fan won’t do much good, since an overclocked processor dissipates a lot more heat. If not dealt with properly, you could face frequent hang ups, system crashes and random reboots. Though a rarity, your processor could also suffer permanent damage. It is recommended that you install an effective cooling mechanism for your overclocked processor, such as water cooling or Peltier cooling. Also ensure that you possess a computer case that enables proper ventilation for an efficacious cooling.

What I have presented here might appear dissenting to a few overclocking zealots, but it’s the truth. I suggest you carry out some basic research before you plan on overclocking your processor.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com - By: Nicholas Spriggs

What Computer Do You Prefer?

Which do you prefer - laptops or desktop computers? A laptop is a portable computer small enough to use in your lap. A desktop computer is a personal computer small enough to fit in a workspace. Both have their positive and negative qualities.

For example, because they don't require bulky cables or multiple plugs and outlets, laptops are extremely convenient if you have to travel or constantly move from one place to another. And since they're so small, they don't take up as much space as a desktop computer - a desktop computer can take up the entire top of a small desk! If you have a laptop and choose to resell it, you'll get more money for it than if you resold your desktop computer. Desktop computers lose resale value while laptops increase their resale value.

Unfortunately, the easy portability of laptops makes theft a lot easier than with a heavy and bulky desktop computer. In addition, laptops are harder to repair. A laptop can be repaired only by its manufacturer - regardless of its warranty.

Desktop computers, on the other hand, are much faster, inexpensive, and operable than laptops. Multimedia is much more enjoyable on desktop computers than on laptops, and desktop computers can be easily upgraded. Plus they're easier to repair than laptops - either by their manufacturer, the store from which they were purchased, a friend, or yourself!

But in situations where you need to use your desktop computer away from your workspace, you can't!

Some people find solace in owning and using both laptops and desktop computers. In this case, laptops play the roles of large floppy disks - used to receive transferred files, modify files away from the main computer, and then transfer those files back to the desktop. This is an excellent solution for those who need to show a multimedia presentation miles away from home.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com - By: Tamara Williams

Extend The Life Of Your Laptop Battery

If you are the owner of a laptop computer, you know how frustrating it can be when you are working on the laptop and your battery is low. If you are constantly on the go, it is sometimes difficult to find a place to plug in your computer to let it recharge. There are a few things that you can do to help you take care and extend the life of your laptop battery.

General caution should be observed when running the battery of your laptop. A laptop should be plugged in to the AC adaptor whenever possible. This will ensure that your laptop battery is always charged and ready to go when it is needed. Another tip is to not expose your laptop to extreme weather conditions, especially very cold temperatures. A cold battery will run much slower than one that is warm. Also, try not to use your laptop for long periods of time without recharging the battery. This can cause information to be lost if the battery sudden stops working.

When using your battery on your laptop, remember use as little power as you can by adjusting the settings on the laptop. This will make your computer go inactive when not in use for a certain amount of time. Adjusting the power setting is easy if you go into the control panel and set the display time. It is also possible to adjust the brightness of the screen display to help the life of the laptop battery. Remember to turn programs off that you are not using. This will waste battery usage quicker. Also, running movies and videos will quickly drain the battery charge.

When using your laptop battery you will want to make sure you check the battery charge frequently. Charge your laptop as soon as you see the battery getting low. Whenever you can, plug in your computer. It is a good idea to always plug in your computer so that it is ready to go. Also, take care of your battery. It is important to clean the laptop battery and keep it free of dust and debris. Using canned air or a cotton swab on a regular basis can do this. The battery will run longer if it is cleaned frequently.

Another tip is to have an extra battery on hand. These are easily purchased. Have at least one fully charged at all times for a quick battery change. Some laptops can run with two batteries. Most laptops are also compatible with external batteries that can easily be added and changed when necessary. Battery charges that work in the car are also good options for anyone taking their laptops on trips. Also, if you are purchasing a new laptop computer, consider buying a smaller, lightweight version. These are more efficient and are able to run longer on a battery charge than the larger laptop versions. Following these basic tips can help extend the amount of time your computer can run with a battery.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com - By: Dave Klein

Locating The Perfect Laptop Computer

Laptop computers are the perfect choice for people on the go. They offer all of the features of a desktop personal computer with the added benefits of portability. There are many kinds of laptop computers to choose from. When choosing a new laptop computer, look at the battery size, the memory and the physical size and weight of the computer.

When looking at new laptop computers, one thing you should consider is the battery size. All laptops come with a rechargeable battery. However, each laptop is different. Some batteries are designed to last longer than others. In general, a laptop computer battery will only last around two hours before needing to be recharged. As the computer ages and the battery gets older, the battery capacity will decrease. After approximately 1,000 charge and discharge cycles, the battery can no longer hold a charge. This usually equals about three years of normal laptop use. If you do not use the laptop often, the battery will become ineffective in about four years. If you plan on using the computers’ battery over plugging the laptop into the wall, the best piece of advice is to look for a laptop that has the largest battery life. Also, it is recommended to keep the laptop computer plugged in when possible so the battery does not constantly have to recharge itself. A second battery can also be purchased to use when the first battery runs out of charge.

Memory size is another key factor in choosing laptop computers. Memory size also varies from laptop to laptop. The amount of memory you purchase will depend on what you are using the computer for. If you need to store a vast amount of information on your computer or need to store pictures or video, you will need a larger amount of memory. Most new laptop computers come with a large amount of memory space already installed. Look for a minimum of 512 MB of memory. If you will need more memory space, check to see if the new laptop you are purchasing comes with expansion slots for more space.

Consider the weight of the laptop computer before purchasing. Laptops come in different sizes and some weigh a lot more than others. If you travel frequently or have the need to carry your laptop with you all day, consider a lighter weight laptop computer. Beware though, that while the laptop may be lighter, some of the components such as the AC adapter may not be included on the spec listing. Also, some of the ultra-light laptops do have smaller keyboards and screens, some only measuring 12 inches. Any laptop computer with a screen more than 15 inches can be difficult to carry. Consider the weight of the laptop when it is placed in a carrying bag, too. This will also add to the bulkiness of traveling with your laptop.

Other considerations to make when purchasing your new laptop are added features such as WiFi access, brand name and warranty. Most laptops come with a one-year warranty. An added warranty may be a good idea to protect your purchase.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com - By: Dave Klein

How Computers Add - A Logical Approach

We looked at Number Systems and counting (see It's a Binary World - How Computers Count) last time. As a quick refresher, we saw that computers are made up of many units of 0 and 1, the binary system. 1 is the highest digit possible so numbers in the computer are stored as for example 1010 or 10 in decimal. We also saw that these binary numbers can be seen as octal (8) or hexadecimal (16) numbers - in this case 1010 becomes 15 octal, or A hex.

You probably realise that the 'standard' PC code is in 8 bit bytes taking the hex system a stage further. You may also know that processors, and Windows software that runs on them, have progressed from 8 bits to 16 bits to 32 bits to 64 bits. Basically this means the computer can work on 1,2, 4 or 8 bytes at once. Don't worry if this is all Gobbledegook, you don't need it to understand how computers add!

OK now to the Math - cringe time! It's a little more complicated than last time, but if you think logically, like a computer, realising they are really dumb, you will sail through it!

We take a break here to look at a bit of math you may not have heard of - Boolean Algebra. Once again it's really simple, but it shows you how a computer works, and why it is so pedantic!

Boolean Algebra is named after George Boole, an English Mathematician in the 19th Century. He devised the logic system used in digital computers more than a century before there was a computer to use it!

In Boolean Algebra, instead of + and - etc. we use AND and OR to form our logic steps.
For example:-

x OR y = z means if x or y is present, we get z.
However,
x AND y = z means that both x and y need to be present to get z.
We can also consider an XOR (eXclusive OR).
x XOR y=z means that x or y BUT NOT BOTH must be present to get z.

That's it! That's all the math you need to understand how a computer counts. Told you it was simple!

How do we use this logic in the computer? We make up a little electronic circuit called a Gate with transistors and things, so we can work on our binary numbers stored in a register - just a bit of memory. (And that's the last electronics you'll hear about!). We make an AND gate, an OR gate, and an XOR gate

When we add in decimal, for example 9+3 we get 2 'units' and carry one to the 10s, giving 10+2=12

Remember the binary bit values in Decimal 1,2,4,8 etc? We start at 0 then 1 in the first bit position, the 1 bit. If we add 1 + 1 binary we have to end up with 10, which has a 1 bit in the second bit position, and a 0 in the first, giving Decimal 2+0=2. This second bit position is formed by a CARRY from the first bit.

To make an adder we must duplicate with a logic circuit the way we add in binary. To add 1+1 we need 3 inputs, one for each bit, and a carry in, and 2 outputs, one for the result (1 or 0), and a carry out, (1 or 0). In this case the carry input is not used. We use 2 XOR gates, 2 AND gates and an OR gate to make up the adder for 1 bit.

Now we go another step, and forget about gates, because now we have a Logic Block, an ADDER. Our computer is designed by using various combinations of logic blocks. As well as the adder we might have a multiplier (a series of adders) and other components.

Our ADDER block takes one bit (0 or 1) from each number to be added, plus the Carry bit (0 or 1) and produces an output of 0 or 1, and a carry of 0 or 1. A table of the input A, B and Carry, and output O and Carry, looks like this:-

With no Carry in:

A B c O C
0 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 1 0
0 1 0 1 0
1 1 0 0 1

With Carry in:

A B c O C
0 0 1 1 0
1 0 1 0 1
0 1 1 0 1
1 1 1 1 1

This is known as a Truth Table, it shows output state for any given input state.

Let's add 2+3 decimal. That is 010 plus 011 binary. We will need 3 ADDER blocks for decimal bit values of 1, 2 and 4)

The first ADDER takes the Least Significant Bit (decimal bit value 1) from each number. Input A will be 0, input B will be 1 with no carry - 0.

From the truth table this gives an output of 1 and a carry of 0 (3rd row). BIT 1 RESULT = 1

At the same time the next ADDER (decimal bit value 2) has inputs of 1, 1 and a carry of 0, giving an output of 0 with a carry bit of 1 (4th row). BIT 2 RESULT = 0

The next ADDER (decimal bit value 4) has inputs of 0, 0 and a carry of 1, giving an output of 1 with no carry - 0 (5th row). BIT 4 RESULT = 1.

So we have bits 4,2,1 as 101 or 4+1=5.

It seems like a laborious way to do it, but our computer can have 64 adders or more, adding simultaneously two large numbers billions of times a second. This is where the computer scores.

Next time we will get to how a computer performs more complcated operations, and it's simple!

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com - By: Tony Stockill