topic Re: Pentium processors..........are they slow? in Electronics

Pentium processors..........are they slow?

Sue98 — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 13:31:40 GMT

Can anyone please tell me? Thanks!

Re: Pentium processors..........are they slow?

gardenman — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 13:55:12 GMT

@Sue98 wrote:
Can anyone please tell me? Thanks!

It depends. They're slower than many/most other processors, but if the device you're using it in doesn't make extreme demands, they can appear to be lightning fast. For example a Pentium processor in a Chromebook will typically be as fast as you need.

Now if you're looking for a high end gaming computer, a computer to do video editing, or a CAD work station, they're too slow. And to be honest, slow is all relative. A slow modern Pentium processor is still likely faster than a state-of-the-art CPU from five or ten years ago.

For the vast majority of users doing the "normal" stuff on a computer (word processing, web surfing, and the like) a Pentium CPU is likely perfectly adequate. You won't impress a computer geek with one, but if that's all you use a computer for, you'll likely be fine with a Pentium processor.

Re: Pentium processors..........are they slow?

Nuttmeg — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 14:11:31 GMT

I would not buy a Pentium processor running in a computer. It is too slow today.

Please tell us what you are buying so someone can help.

Re: Pentium processors..........are they slow?

Kim-QVC — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 14:15:13 GMT

This post has been removed by QVC because it contains link to another retail site.

Re: Pentium processors..........are they slow?

chickenbutt — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 16:56:07 GMT

Too old. For ten years ago it would have be ok, I suppose. I would not purchase such an old processor with today's operating systems.

I assume this is something they are selling here. They tend to sell old components because a lot of people don't do their research, so they get to make a lot of money selling old stuff.

Re: Pentium processors..........are they slow?

Nuttmeg — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 17:08:17 GMT

@chickenbutt wrote:
Too old. For ten years ago it would have be ok, I suppose. I would not purchase such an old processor with today's operating systems.

I assume this is something they are selling here. They tend to sell old components because a lot of people don't do their research, so they get to make a lot of money selling old stuff.

The original post was removed by the MODS. This is a reworked processor in a AIO from Lenovo sold at BJ's. They do make a lot of money selling this stuff. Many customers do not understand about buying computers. Many times research would not help.

Re: Pentium processors..........are they slow?

gardenman — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 17:24:36 GMT

All in one computers typically use lower power processors to keep the heat down. All in one computers have a lot of stuff crammed into a small space and keeping the components cool is a challenge. The more powerful CPU's are high wattage with Intel's most powerful CPU's now using over 200 watts. That's a lot of heat. Pentium processors tend to only use 53-65 watts. If you're trying to keep heat down, a lower power CPU is a big help. The reality is that for most users, the CPU isn't a big issue. More often than not the CPU will be just idling along and not really stressed no matter which CPU you use. If you're a "typical" computer user you'll likely be fine with a Pentium processor.

Re: Pentium processors..........are they slow?

hckynut — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 18:14:40 GMT

@Sue98

As @gardenman has said, a Pentium being fast or slow, is relative to what you plan to do with your computer. I personally for my use, prefer the Intel " i " series processors. My current computer has a 2nd generation " i7" with old Windows 7.

When I decide to upgrade, I will see what those in the know, have tested and see what they have to say. If you are one that likes to leave a lot of programs(graphic intensive ones), at the same time, you might want to be sure to get more RAM along with the updated processor.

Remember that video and many pictures are big and some with lots of graphics, so if you are saving those things, along with some games, processor and RAM are more important. Just text and e-mails make little difference, but graphics? Whole different story.

Whatever I upgrade to down the road I will have built with only my specs, regardless of the brand name. If I get ambitious, I might even build my own again. You might consider looking online and doing the same, direct from the manufacturer. Just another option for you.

hckynut(john)

Re: Pentium processors..........are they slow?

Toppers3 — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 04:04:20 GMT

@gardenman wrote:
@Sue98 wrote:
Can anyone please tell me? Thanks!
It depends. They're slower than many/most other processors, but if the device you're using it in doesn't make extreme demands, they can appear to be lightning fast. For example a Pentium processor in a Chromebook will typically be as fast as you need.

Now if you're looking for a high end gaming computer, a computer to do video editing, or a CAD work station, they're too slow. And to be honest, slow is all relative. A slow modern Pentium processor is still likely faster than a state-of-the-art CPU from five or ten years ago.

For the vast majority of users doing the "normal" stuff on a computer (word processing, web surfing, and the like) a Pentium CPU is likely perfectly adequate. You won't impress a computer geek with one, but if that's all you use a computer for, you'll likely be fine with a Pentium processor.

I laughed when I read your post @gardenman, regarding a Pentium processor in a Chromebook! LOL!!

I think that you'd be flying around the internet, if that were the case when using a Chromebook. It would probably be literally bouncing and flying off of the surface of whatever you had it on!

Now, that I would like to see, because if I recall properly, I think that they're putting Celeron processors in Chromebooks.

I think that's what my husband and I both have in each of our Chromebooks, and mine is newer than his. Mine is last year's model, and his is two years old now.

Re: Pentium processors..........are they slow?

gardenman — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 11:06:02 GMT

@Toppers3 wrote:
@gardenman wrote:
@Sue98 wrote:
Can anyone please tell me? Thanks!
It depends. They're slower than many/most other processors, but if the device you're using it in doesn't make extreme demands, they can appear to be lightning fast. For example a Pentium processor in a Chromebook will typically be as fast as you need.

Now if you're looking for a high end gaming computer, a computer to do video editing, or a CAD work station, they're too slow. And to be honest, slow is all relative. A slow modern Pentium processor is still likely faster than a state-of-the-art CPU from five or ten years ago.

For the vast majority of users doing the "normal" stuff on a computer (word processing, web surfing, and the like) a Pentium CPU is likely perfectly adequate. You won't impress a computer geek with one, but if that's all you use a computer for, you'll likely be fine with a Pentium processor.
I laughed when I read your post @gardenman, regarding a Pentium processor in a Chromebook! LOL!!

I think that you'd be flying around the internet, if that were the case when using a Chromebook. It would probably be literally bouncing and flying off of the surface of whatever you had it on!

Now, that I would like to see, because if I recall properly, I think that they're putting Celeron processors in Chromebooks.

I think that's what my husband and I both have in each of our Chromebooks, and mine is newer than his. Mine is last year's model, and his is two years old now.

Intel's joined up with Google and they're moving more of the Intel line of processors into the Chromebook family. Acer's C720 actually uses an i3 CPU. The HP 13 G1 uses a Pentium 4405Y CPU. Intel's looked around and said, "Hey, you know what? Those Chromebooks are a neat idea. We should get them to use our CPU's in them." The drawback of course comes that as you put more powerful processors in a Chromebook, you start to lose battery life, and truth be told, most Chromebooks are pretty darn fast with slower processors. Intel wants to get more involved in the Chromebook market, so you're seeing more and more of their higher end CPU's working their way in.

Re: Pentium processors..........are they slow?

Toppers3 — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 11:48:29 GMT

Thanks for your response and explanation, @gardenman.

That's interesting to know, regarding the Intel processors in the Chromebook. Hmm...

I'll have to check that out and read more about it, now that my curiosity is piqued.

You're right about a Chromebook already running fast with the processors that they already have, especially if you're using one of the smaller ones, like we are.

They also already put the dual-core processors in them, too. This little Chromebook that I have loads pages and moves with lightening fast speed.

I tend to keep enough windows open at a time when I'm online, and it still moves fast enough, too, and the battery life has been good for a small laptop.

Re: Pentium processors..........are they slow?

gardenman — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 12:38:58 GMT

I'm not sure how necessary it is to use the better processors in a Chromebook, but it does take away one of the arguments some have against them. A lot of people are overly focused on statistics when buying a device, so putting a better processor in them makes them look better to that class of buyer. I doubt you'd really see much of a difference in performance however.

Chromebooks are evolving quite nicely these days. They're getting better keyboards, better displays, better trackpads, and there are more and more of them on the market all of the time.

Re: Pentium processors..........are they slow?

JerryFerreira — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 19:48:46 GMT

Pentiums are not old. They are still making them.

Re: Pentium processors..........are they slow?

hckynut — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 00:28:18 GMT

@JerryFerreira wrote:
Pentiums are not old. They are still making them.

@JerryFerreira

You cannot compare a person being "chronologically old" with the same aged person that is "physiologically young". Many of my friends are approaching 80 years old, some seem more like 110 years old, while a much bigger majority seem and function like a 45-50 year old.

Because they still make pentium processors means they are older technology. Hey, if you choose to buy a "standard DVD player" as opposed to a Bluray player? They still make them and non-bluray DVD's, go ahead and buy them.

I however choose Bluray discs and players. When the price of descrete 4k DVD players come down, and available 4k discs become available, I will choose to buy the best resolution on the market. I like viewing detailed video and also the best in sound reproduction. Just reminded me, mono-audio is still made, but I will go with a digital HD/DTS or Dolby Surround, thank you.

If you think an Intel Celeron(yes they still make them) or a Pentium. Again, have at it! I will go with the Intel "i" series processors. Because a product is made does not make it good or bad, I however prefer newer formats and technologies, as I believe most tech savvy individuals do also.

Hello!

hckynut(john)

Re: Pentium processors..........are they slow?

gardenman — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 12:58:55 GMT

One of the odd quirks of modern CPU's is that often a lower end CPU like a Pentium, will be based on the same architecture as a higher end chip, but they'll simply disable some of the features in the lower end CPU. There's often little to no difference in the chips, other than that some features of the lower end chips are disabled so they can't be used.

On Newegg.com right now there are 443 new Intel CPU's listed as being available. Intel isn't churning out 443 unique CPU's. They might be making ten to twenty unique CPU's and then enabling and disabling features in those CPU's to make them look like hundreds of different options. You can spend $100 on a CPU that's physically identical to a $400 CPU, but they won't let you use the same features on both CPU's, even though they're there.They'll lock away certain features on the $100 CPU and unlock them on the $400 CPU.

Many consumers focus on the speed and power of a CPU but companies like Amazon and Google look more at performance per watt. For them the long term cost of powering the CPU is higher than the cost of buying the CPU so they look for the most efficient CPU's to incorporate into their systems and often opt for ones that many/most computer users would scoff at, but used in the volume they use, makes the most sense to them. If they can get more performance for less power, it saves them money over the long haul.

Re: Pentium processors..........are they slow?

Toppers3 — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 17:53:50 GMT

Hi @gardenman,

What you're saying makes sense to me.

I remember when I was looking at Chromebooks, and thinking about the size that I wanted and was also considering our budget for one, and I was looking at the features too, and I remember being surprised that they were using the Celeron processors in them, at first.

I remember thinking that the Celeron processors were older in terms of technology, but then I was thinking about the actual size of the Chromebook, and the other features of it too, and then everything made more sense to me and started to "fall into place" for me regarding "why" they would do that.

Now I see why, after having and using my Chromebook for over a year. I think that it's fine the way that it is with the type of processor that it has for the size of the small Chromebook that it is, in my opinion.

As I have mentioned before, it zips around so quickly and so fast, and loads pages quickly, too, and it does this quite well even with the amount of windows that I normally have open on it at any given time, too.