Computer performance

The most common computer performance plays a decisive role when choosing a computer for a particular application. This term is understood as the time spent by a computer to solve a particular task. The concept of "performance" also determines some other characteristics of the computer, such as, for example, the amount of RAM. It is only natural that a computer with a high processing speed should be provided with a large amount of RAM, otherwise its performance will be limited by the need to pump information from a slower external memory. We can assume that the performance of computers is an integrated characteristic that determines the total computing power of each computer, and, accordingly, the scope of its application.

Using the concept of computer performance, they can be divided into three classes: supercomputers; mainframes; microcomputers.

Supercomputers are computers with a performance of over 100 million operations per second. They are used to solve such problems as modeling of physical processes, space research and other tasks that require huge amounts of computation. Performed usually on a multiprocessor architecture, have a large set of external devices, and, as a rule, are produced in small batches for a particular task or a specific customer. Usually the importance of the problem being solved is that the main parameter of a supercomputer is its high performance, and parameters such as dimensions or weight are not decisive.

Mainframes are computers with a performance of 10 to 100 million operations per second. They are used to solve tasks such as storage, search and processing of large data sets, building three-dimensional graphics, creating commercials, acting as nodes of a global network of trading or computer firms with large streams of requests. Performed on a multiprocessor architecture with a common bus and a small number of powerful processors. Structurally executed in the form of one rack or in the desktop version.

Microcomputers are compact computers of universal purpose. The performance of such computers is up to 10 million operations per second. They are used mainly for household purposes. Microcomputers, or personal computers, can be classified by design features: stationary and portable. Portable computers, in turn, can be divided into portable (Lartop), notebooks and Pocket (Palmtop). Portable computers are close in size to the usual portfolio, they, at the present time, give way to a more compact one. Notepads in size are close to the book of a large format and have a mass of about 3 kg. Such computers have built-in batteries, which allow working without mains voltage. Pocket PCs are currently the smallest personal computers. They do not have external memory on magnetic disks, it is replaced by non-volatile electronic memory. This memory can be overwritten using the communication link with the desktop computer.