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From: mdb@abcom.ATT.COM (5013 )
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Computer speeds
Keywords: Hardware
Message-ID: <2180@abcom.ATT.COM>
Date: 19 Oct 90 22:09:31 GMT
Organization: AT&T(IMS-DPO), Aurora, Colorado
Lines: 50


I was unable to send this direct so here goes...

John H. Kim:

> How much is sufficent for word processing?  Organizing a
> database?  Calculating a spreadsheet?  Editing pictures on
> a paint program?  Designing a cruise missle on a CAD program?
> 
Speed of the CPU is not the only thing you need to consider since
these machines typically spend much of their life waiting on the user.

I feel that you need to also consider the speed of the peripheral devices
such as:   
	
	1) Hard Drive
	2) Monitor

This is due to the fact that most bottle-necks in the PC areana revolve 
around these two issues.

> At how many MHz does a memory cache become advantageous?
> What speeds would be considered overkill for the above
> applications?  How about programs that don't fall into the
> above categories (like Windows 3.0)?
> 
Memory cashe is used mostly in database applications due to the amount of
data being retreive on slow hard drives.  Speed overkill, IMHO,  occures
most often in database applications where data entry is the determining factor.
In spead sheets and machine instruction intensive applications ( Windows,
CAD/CAM ) are being used then CPU speed coupled with a math coprocessor will
make a significant difference to the user.

> And what else can you do with expansion slots aside from
> memory expansion, video card, drive controller, and (maybe)
> a mouse?
> 
Some of the goodies ;-) that you might consider to fill out those empty 
expansion slots include:

	1) Joy sticks
	2) Fax boards
	3) 9 track interface boards
	4) etc....

Hope this will help...  If would like to discuss these furthure I can be 
reached by phone: 415-224-3030

Mike Barnes
AT&T Communications