Tech: Processor speed

Subject: Non-Music computer question
From: Banjoman_CO
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 12:27 AM

I have not been able to get an answer to this question anywhere. I have a HP computer with a AMD K6 2/300 processor. Since many hardware(cameras, modems, etc.) have a minimum processor speed, does anybody know what this processor would be comparable to. Is it 166 MHz, 300 MHz, or what. I would like to add some hardware to my system, but I need to know this information. I know some of you are real wizards when it comes to computers so I could really use your help.

Banjoman

Subject: RE: Help: Non-Music computer question
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 12:41 AM

Banjoman, I am not a computer person, but click here, and see if any of the HP clickies will answer your question. Do you have a model number? I recently went to the HP Consumer Help site, and recieved an answer very promptly. I just entered Hewlett Packard into my Home Page search box, and followed the directions.

Subject: RE: Help: Non-Music computer question
From: Justa Picker
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 12:48 AM

Clicky

Subject: RE: Help: Non-Music computer question
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 12:51 AM

Yo, JP, I was hoping you would check in here, I was gonna message you if you didn't! Let's hope one or the other works, huh?

Subject: RE: Help: Non-Music computer question
From: Justa Picker
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 12:54 AM

Yupper Sorch.
My egimicated guess would be, equivalent to a Pentium III 600, running off of a 100 megahertz bus on the motherboard.

Subject: RE: Help: Non-Music computer question
From: Justa Picker
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 12:57 AM

Correction. Running off of a 66 mhz bus. Which means if it had say 128 megs of ram, with the 66 mhz, it would benchmark out at slightly slower than a Pentium III 600 (which are usually attached to 100 or 130 mhz bus's.)

Subject: RE: Help: Non-Music computer question
From: Justa Picker
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 12:58 AM

Plenty of speed to run whatever you want Banjoman_CO.

Subject: RE: Help: Non-Music computer question
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 01:00 AM

"egimicated".....??? Oh dear, my sides hurt. egimicated.....good thing I just PIT.....(peed in toilet)

Subject: RE: Help: Non-Music computer question
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 01:06 AM

Sorry, computer gobbeldygook, still funny! Catch the 66Mhz Bus, with the 128 lb ram, (not ewe)and change busses at the 600th Mgz Station.....but don't forget the Benchmark Street change.......o dear...ROF here!

Subject: RE: Help: Non-Music computer question
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 03:13 AM

I have not looked at any specs but I have tended to look at the AMD chips as outperforming thier Intel rivals (overall performance), in this case I would have thought that equates to better than PII 300 for Banjoman.

Incedentally, my PC has the K6/2 500 chip and 128Mb RAM. It more than meets my needs and I have been delighted with this build - I think next upgrade is still a long way off.

Jon

Subject: RE: Help: Non-Music computer question
From: GUEST,Les Brown
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 07:32 AM

Your AMD K6 2/300 would be equivelent to a celeron 300mhz but possibly operate slightly faster. the K6 3 series were suppost to be equivalent to Pentium 3, but neither K3 or K2 are made any more, 300mhz by todays standards is pretty slow, when you consider that the only processors now available are AMD Duron from 600mhz upwards, AMD Athlon 600mhz up to 1gb and beyond and the pentium equivelent being Celeron 600mhz upwards and P3 600 up beyond 1Gb and now the P4. Onwards and upwards if you have the money and are daft enough to spend silly money when if you wait a few months the prices half.

Subject: RE: Help: Non-Music computer question
From: Banjoman_CO
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 10:48 PM

Thanks for all your help. I think I can shop for new hardward with a little more confidence. I knew that I could get the answers that I needed here. You guys are great. Thanks again.

Banjoman

Subject: RE: Help: Non-Music computer question
From: GUEST,CraigS
Date: 19 Feb 01 - 10:09 PM

A word of wisdom - if you know what you've got, but not what it does, get a written undertaking from the shop you buy the add-on from that it will work with what you've got. If it doesn't, take it back!

Subject: RE: Help: Non-Music computer question
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 20 Feb 01 - 02:13 AM

From John In (Remote) Kansas - on LIK's hookup: For a quick answer to the original question -- most PCish machines will show you the processor speed if you hit the BIOS setup button (often F2) during boot (startup of the machine). This is a rough number, and won't tell you about some of the other things mentioned above, like bus speed & such. Just be sure to "Exit without saving" if you poke around in the BIOS very much.
Most add-on mfrs are pretty conservative about quoting minimum requirements -- so that they can be reasonably sure that their stuff will work, although sometimes there's a big difference between working and working right.
Personally, I worry a lot more about memory (RAM) and finding those pesky IRQ's and DMA's. It sound's like the machine in question is new enough to be "Plug & Play," but the P&P install process frequently accepts conflicting assignments.
If you have a good dealer - have him install anything major for you, and (as said op.cit.) get a guarantee.