CPU
Central
Processing Unit
The CPU is the main brain of a computer. It is usually the biggest chip on the main
board (motherboard). The CPU has so many
transistors built into it and it runs so fast that it needs to have a radiator and
fan attached directly to it.
For workstations, management companies do not need
blazing fast CPU’s. The server should have a fairly
substantial CPU, since it is serving multiple workstations. Rather than having the latest and greatest
CPU, you’ll get more bang for your buck by loading up your computers with as
much RAM as you
can.
We recommend
that you purchase a CPU that is at least six months old and NOT buy the latest
cutting edge CPU. The price drop between
the latest and the greatest and a slightly older model is significant.
Speed is not
the only reason to upgrade to faster, newer CPU’s. The new CPU’s not only can do tasks faster,
but can do so with less power. New CPU’s
can throttle themselves down to idle while waiting for something to do … for
example, during the delay between keystrokes!
RECOMMENDATION: for servers, we are recommending the Intel
2.4 GHz CPU chip; for workstations, we are recommending the Intel 900 MHz CPU
or higher.