The simplest way to understand clock speed is to imagine a stopwatch measuring laps. Question is, where is the stopwatch: an Olympic pool, a racetrack or a track meet?

Just like a stopwatch, a clock speed measures how fast a processor performs an activity. But which activity?

That’s up to you; how will you use your computer? Will you make a video of your child with your new HD camera? Then find a benchmark test that tells the clock speed of the processor running a media-intensive program. Do you love re-touching photos? Then look up how a processor was benchmarked running the photo software you like to use.

Tip! Yes, you will find numbers. You will see rates in gigahertz (GHz) which means a billion cycles per second.

But numbers don’t tell the story. How you use your processor is what you want to find out. After all, you wouldn’t compare a lap time from a swim meet with an Indy car, would you?

Multi-core processors are single chips that contain two or more distinct processors or execution cores in the same integrated circuit. While independent, each core can work separately or together on one large task.

Software developers chop up their code (known as threading) and run each piece concurrently through whatever processor core happens to be most available. And, increasingly, software developers rely on Intel® quad-core and dual-core technology so their multi-threaded program can do more things simultaneously producing faster, more efficient results for you.

Tip! For exceptional multi-tasking, look for Intel® dual-core processors. If you’re a mega-multi-tasker, gaming elitist, or media maven, look for Intel quad-core processors.

Imagine the RAM of your computer as one city, and the CPU as another. Between them is a freeway: the Front Side Bus. When you’re making calculations, developing graphics—anything you and your software demands—the Front Side Bus transfers data quickly to meet that demand.

Tip! Whatever system you choose, make sure the components work together. For example, if you’re building a media computer, having a 1333 MHz Front Side Bus that can handle HD video is wonderful—but make sure the CPU is adequate for the challenge.

Imagine arriving at the grocery store and having all your favorite food fly off the shelves and fill the cart in minutes.

That’s L2 cache. It remembers the information accessed most frequently in your computer so you can easily get to it without those annoying lags. (Just don’t expect it to remember documents you didn’t save. It’s just a computer, not your mother.)

Tip! More L2 cache reduces bottlenecks and helps speed memory performance.

Enhanced wireless connectivity is your mobility life saver: experience less dead spots and more hot spots.

The Intel® WiFi Link 5300 is more than enhanced wireless connectivity, it’s also a performance boost. The Intel® WiFi Link 5300 provides up to 300 Mbps of bandwidth today and up to 450 Mbps of bandwidth tomorrow¹ enabling you to wirelessly stream High-Definition (HD) video or to quickly backup your digital audio/video files.

Tip! Ask for the Intel® WiFi Link 5300 with your laptop purchase to get a faster wireless connection.

¹ References to greater range or connectivity enabled by 3x3 802.11 Draft-N implementations with 3 spatial streams. Up to 450 Mbps of Bandwidth based on the theoretical maximum bandwidth enabled by 3x3 802.11 Draft-N implementations with 3 spatial streams in combination with a 3 spatial stream Access Point. Actual wireless throughput and/or range will vary depending on your specific operating system, hardware, and software configurations. Check with your PC and access point manufacturer for details.