A good processor speed of a laptop is a significant factor to consider before buying a laptop. Indeed, you don’t want to experience a high lag time when doing important tasks on your laptop. That’s why you need to pay attention to the processor speed of the computer you need to buy. The processor cores and clock speed are the main factors determining your laptop’s performance speed. They are found in the laptop’s CPU and work together to improve your computer’s performance.
This blog sheds light on the best processor speed for laptops. Whether you need a laptop for browsing the internet, general office tasks, gaming, or photo/video editing, you will learn to select the laptop with the best processor speed. For instance, if you want to engage in video editing or gaming activities, you will need a processor speed starting from 3.5 GHz.
Before we head to learn about the suitable processor speed for a laptop, you need to understand the meaning of the processor.
What’s a Processor, and What are its Roles in a Laptop?
There are two leading processor manufacturers, Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). Intel is the largest manufacturer of processor chips across the world. Chances are, the computers and laptops you’ve seen use Intel processor chips.
A processor is part of your laptop’s brain, the Central Processing Unit (CPU). It will be good if you don’t confuse the processor with the CPU.
The processor is a computer chip that interprets different instructions in a computer. It comprises the Arithmetic Logic Unit, the cache memories, registers, and the floating point unit.
A laptop processor has one or more processing units called cores. Each core operates at a specific speed known as the clock speed.
The Roles of a Processor in a Laptop
- Fetch. The processor receives all commands from the computer’s Random Access Memory (RAM).
- Decode. Decoding is the process of making the commands understood by the computer CPU. The decoding process ensures the appropriate CPU part is available for the operation.
- Execute. This process entails putting together the CPU components to perform the instructed command. Therefore, the higher the number of cores, the faster the execution of orders.
Processor Speeds: Differentiating Between Clock Speed and CPU Cores
The clock speed and processor cores determine how fast your laptop will be. And that’s the main thing you must consider when buying your laptop. The clock speed and processor cores determine how fast your laptop will be. They work together to execute commands.
Let’s have a look at the differences.
- Clock speed
The Clock speed of a laptop is how many cycles its CPU can perform per second. The clock speed is measured in Gigahertz (GHz). The higher your laptop’s clock speed, the faster it will be.
The clock speed was the main spec used to determine computers’ speed when there were single-core processors. However, now that there are multi-core processors, the clock speed is no longer the only spec for consideration. The number of cores, the cache memory, and power consumption are considered alongside the clock speed.
- CPU cores
The CPU is the main component since it runs all calculations and applications in a computer. The CPU cores can either be single-core or multi-core. CPU cores consist of millions of transistors that enable the CPU to process data and execute commands.
Nowadays, multi-cores are the best for executing commands since each core acts as a single processor. In addition, it’s easier to perform different tasks with multi-cores, unlike single cores, where the CPU executes one task at a time. Therefore, the higher the number of cores, the better the performance rate of your laptop.
Most laptops and computers have cores ranging from 2 to 12 since 2019. We have dual cores (2), quad-cores (4), penta-cores (5), hexa-cores (6), octa-cores (8), etc.
The nature of the tasks you will perform with your laptop will determine the number of CPU cores you need. But it’s good not to go for a computer with a single-core processor, although they are diminishing from the market.
Matching Your Use Case With the Right Processor Speed
Of course, different clock speeds and processor cores suit various tasks you will perform with your laptop. Before buying a laptop, you should check it’s processor speed and other specifications to ensure you get the best laptop for your use case.
A high clock speed and a higher number of CPU cores mean your computer will execute various tasks faster than a lower clock speed and CPU cores.
Let’s look at the clock speeds you need for different tasks. However, having a laptop with a high clock speed and multiple cores would not hurt.
1. Basic everyday home use
If you need a computer for everyday use like internet serving, streaming videos, social media, and checking and responding to emails, you don’t need a laptop with high clock speed. Chances are you may perform other tasks on computer software like Microsoft Office, and you may also need to store your essential files, movies, music, and pictures on the hard drive.
With those simple tasks, a range of 2.1 GHz to 2.7 GHz will be an ideal speed for your computer. In addition, a dual-core will work fine with your laptop for these simple tasks at home.
2. Casual work use
Many offices use computers for data storage and other simple tasks like performing internet searches. With these simple tasks, the clock speed doesn’t need to exceed 2.7 GHz.
However, if there are external accounting and stock management applications like Tally or Quickbooks, it will be advisable to go for a higher clock speed of more than 2.7 GHz.
In addition, there is no need for a higher number of processor cores for performing casual jobs with a laptop. A range of dual-core to hexa-cores will do just fine.
3. Moderate work and casual video editing, design work
Video editing and design work need external applications like Photoshop, Canva, and Vimeo, among others. If you need a faster accomplishment of tasks, you may need to go for a clock speed higher than 3.5 GHz.
The more complex your activities are, the more you will need a higher processor speed. In addition, you will also need to consider more processor cores for such tasks.
4. Intermediate to intensive editing and design work
These kinds of tasks are complex, and you will need a laptop with a processor speed of more than 3.5 GHz. Of course, you don’t need to wait long before you move to your next design work.
Remember that designing involves using complex applications like Adobe, Photoshop, and Canva, among others. Your laptop’s processor needs a higher clock speed to execute commands of such applications faster. In addition, you will also need a higher number of CPU cores to perform your editing and design tasks perfectly.
5. High-performance, professional use
You need to understand your schedule to get a laptop for professional use. If you need to use your computer several times daily, you may have to consider getting one with a higher clock speed. These tasks require a clock speed of 4.0 GHz for better performance. Furthermore, you will also need a higher number of processor cores, say hexa-cores or octa-cores.
6. Best processor speed for gaming laptops
If you would like a laptop for gaming activities, you need to consider one with a high processor speed between 3.75 GHz to 4.2 GHz. Gaming activities are complex and they need high-performing laptops to get the best results. You also need a high number of cores above 7 cores.
Other Factors to Consider Besides a Good Processor Speed for a Laptop
Of course, there are other factors to consider before buying a laptop other than the processor speed and number of the CPU cores.
- Cache
Cache memory is a temporary memory that allows you to access your data faster on a computer. It’s officially called the CPU cache memory, and it stores your frequently used files and programs to avail you when you need them fast.
Do not confuse Cache memory with the computer RAM. A computer’s RAM stores programs and information processes of a computer, but it’s far away from the CPU. However, the CPU retrieves information from the RAM if it cannot access it from the Cache memory.
A cache memory improves your computer performance by 100 times compared to RAM. The more you use your laptop, the more cache memory stores your data and files for quicker retrieval. However, if the memory becomes full, it can slow down the laptop’s performance.
We have a level one cache that is closer to the CPU and a level two cache, which is usually a memory card close to the processor. If the CPU can’t find your desired data in level 1, it goes further to the level 2 cache.
Furthermore, there is a Disk cache on the hard drive that collects hard drive data to forward to the RAM.
The other cache type is the Graphic processor Unit cache, which stores your computer graphics cache in the CPU.
- Cooling considerations
You should also consider your laptop’s cooling effect, especially if you are always busy with daily tasks.
It will be better to get a laptop that stays cool even after performing a bunch of workloads. This factor allows you to do your tasks without a laptop cooling pad.
- Hard disk Size
The side of a computer is often overlooked, but it’s really another factor to consider when buying a new laptop. Just like a phone memory, when the hard disk is full, it will cause your computer to perform slowly. Therefore, you should get a hard disk that will accommodate all your files and still have more space left.
In addition, you can also leverage cloud storage so as to have more space on your hard disk and maintaining high performance.
Summing Up
It’s essential to understand better the kind of laptop you need. You should now match your needs with the right processor speed, cores, cache, and cooling effect for the laptop you need.
Remember that complex tasks require a higher clock speed and a higher number of processor cores. Those are the main factors to consider before deciding which laptop to buy.
Good Processor Speed for Laptops: Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best processor speed for gaming?
A clock speed between 3.5 GHz and 4.0 GHz is excellent for gaming.
2. How to check the processor speed of a laptop?
To check your laptop’s clock speed, go to the start menu or the Windows key and search for System information. Your clock speed information will be on the processor.
3. Is 2.4 GHz a good processor speed?
Yes. If you will not be performing complex activities with your laptop.
4. What is a good processor speed for everyday use?
Well, it depends on what tasks you want to perform with your computer. Simple tasks like running the essential computer software and internet serving need a speed of 2.4 GHz or below.
Over to You
Now you have the guide on the best laptop processor speed depending on what you need to do. Always ensure you do thorough research before buying any tech gadget. Spending several days learning what you need in a laptop, depending on your usage, is better than making the wrong purchase decision.
Subscribe to my email list to receive first-hand information on tech and choosing tech gadgets.