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The central processor integrates many components. It's the brain of the computer. You can get an overview of Mac processors here, or, for a breakdown of current PC processors and prices ranges, go to the Systems and Processors table on this page.

Aliases include:

	Central processing unit or (CPU)
	Microprocessor
	Main processor or MPU
	Just "the chip"

The Processors and systems table below lists some basic information about current PC processors: manufacturers, models, and speeds.

Speed has to do with how quickly a chip can process an instruction. It is measured in megahertz, abbreviated to MHz, and, recently, in Gigahertz (GHz), equal to 1000 MHz. You'll frequently see speeds noted without any unit measurement, however. So a Pentium III 933 means an Intel Pentium III chip that runs at a speed of 933 MHz. and an Athlon 1.4 means an AMD (American Microdevices) Athlon chip running at 1400 MHz or 1.4 GHz.

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Mac processors

Once gain, Mac people need not be concerned with the details to come. Motorola still makes the central processors in Macs. Speeds increase as models become more recent, or, at any specific time, more expensive. As time goes on, however, more speed costs less.

The first iMacs, for example, ran at 233 MHz; new models run at up to a 600 MHz G3 chip. For iMac descriptions and pricing, look at the CCSF bookstore page at http://www.ccsf.cc.ca.us/Services/Bookstore/computers/apple/imac.htm.

New top-of-the-line G4 speeds are 667, 733 and 867 MHz.

For descriptions and pricing of new G4 configurations, look at the CCSF bookstore page at http://www.ccsf.org/Services/Bookstore/computers/apple/pmac.htm

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PC processors

For PC performance ratings, the easiest place to go is the pages of PCWorld magazine, which lists its top 20 "Power" and "Budget" PCs each month. For online help, try any of the sources in the PC listings and reviews section of Keeping up-to-date.

Processors and systems table

Manufacturer: Intel
Model/Speed	Comments (Prices are for complete system with monitor, modem, etc)
Pentium II all speeds) and Celeron (below 900 MHz)	Pentium II and older Celeron chips are discontinued technology, replaced by faster and more capable Celerons, AMD Durons and Athlons and the Pentium III and IV.
Celeron (900 MHz & above)	Good basic chips, Celerons at this speed are now in cheap systems (less than $900) and in some laptops..
Pentium III and Pentium III - m (for mobile) 933-1260 MHz	Dominated by 866 to (mostly) 1000 MHz (1 GHz) chips powering computers in the $800-$1,400 range (for notebooks, bump up the price some). (Don't ignore the AMD Duron and Athlon systems coming up below. Special "mobile" PIIIs (often listed with an m) power notebooks. They have two power settings—listed in the form 850/700: The first number is for maximum speed (850 MHz) The second for performance in power-saving mode (700 MHz).
Pentium IV: 1000-1700 MHz  (1-1.7 GHz	These are the solid workhorses in the market right now, This is where you'll get the best balance of price-performance right now. Prices vary widely because of the many different options, but the core is $1,000-$1,600
Pentium IV above 1.7 GHz (=1700 MHz)	The present performance leaders, along with the top AMD Athlon chips. Actually, Athlons perform a bit better than the P IVs. Systems start about $2500, generally configured with more bells and whistles and with high-end components. Higher-end to the highest. For these prices, expect a 19" monitor, 20-60 GB hard disk, 128-256 MB RAM, 16-64 MB video memory, and a CD-RW or DVD drive
Manufacturer: American Microdevices (AMD)
Model/Speed	Comments (Prices are for complete system with monitor, modem, etc)
K6-2: 500-533 MHz	The K6-2 is AMD's outmoded old entry-level chip, still going into a few laptops and super-budget systems ($400-$650). AMD has designed the new Duron to take its place.
Duron 950+	The Duron is hard to find, but initial reports have been positive. Pricing for its systems runs $950-$1,200.
Athlon 1000-1400	aka K-7, T-7, Thunderbird The Athlon compares well to Pentium III and IV chips of around the same and even higher speeds. Athlon systems run $1300-1900.
Athlon "XP 1800+" (1500 MHz)	hard to find as yet Newest-model, updated Athlon XP systems are the performance leader for most people who use standard office applications and some consumer video. I've only seen expensive systems using this chip ($3500+!). Note: The name of the chip implies a speed higher than is strictly the case. The Athlon XP 1800+ chip actually runs at 1500 MHz. AMD insists (and performance test bear out) that the chip runs most programs at a speed comparable to a P4 running at the speed indicated in the Athlon's name. Confused? That may be the point. But these chips really are good.

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