Hardware·19,031 discussions

Getting a More Intuitive Understanding of CPU, RAM, etc

Tags: Hardware

How can I gain a better understanding of what an increase in either CPU or RAM is likely to get me in terms of machine performance?

Background: I’m a self-taught programmer who has always felt a little insecure when folks start saying things like “that machine isn’t powerful enough for that task”. I’d like to feel less insecure about it, but I’m not really finding reading generally about these concepts is helping much with that intuition.

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Re: performance

In reply to Getting a More Intuitive Understanding of CPU, RAM, etc

It depends on what (mix of) programs you run. If it are big programs, or programs managing a lot of data, or a lot of programs running simultaneously, more RAM might help. If it are programs that use a lot of CPU for needed operations, a faster CPU might help. If it are programs that use a lot of updates on the screen (like games) a faster GPU helps.

If you just do nearly nothing, such a typing a document in MS Word, neither of the three will make any noticeable difference.

What task? is the question.

In reply to Getting a More Intuitive Understanding of CPU, RAM, etc

Until that is known, just stick with the machine you have.

For writing code I started way back before the PC on a GE-210 and later a IBM 360 for Fortran. Later way too much code for HP 1000’s and when the PC industry started the Atari 800 and later a PC.

Today for a beginner programmer again the “What task?” has to be asked. For basic learning of the usual STACK (PHP, HTML, Javascript, SQL) one could start with a cheap chromebook and web based systems.

What task?

[Author]

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