[Pretend Jane]

So I was thinking about getting a new processor for my PC because my current one is really slow and old. I already bought a Acer screen. I was hoping someone could recommend a really fast processor and one that is small and easier to carry than my current big and bulky one.

Also, I was curious if there was a way to transfer all my files from my current Processor on to a new one? I have all these MP3s, school work, and programs I don't have CD-roms for. I really don't want to download it all again or buy new software. Is there a quick and simple way to remedy this problem?

Everyone with computer knowledge help me out please!

[mintywinter]

So I was thinking about getting a new processor for my PC because my current one is really slow and old. I already bought a Acer screen. I was hoping someone could recommend a really fast processor and one that is small and easier to carry than my current big and bulky one.

Also, I was curious if there was a way to transfer all my files from my current Processor on to a new one? I have all these MP3s, school work, and programs I don't have CD-roms for. I really don't want to download it all again or buy new software. Is there a quick and simple way to remedy this problem?

Everyone with computer knowledge help me out please!

1) The processor size doesn't matter. If you want a smaller desktop PC then get a microATX/mini-itx sized motherboard and a microATX/mini-itx case. If you want a laptop, go look in this thread.

2) Files are stored on the hard drive, not the processor. After you put in a new processor and/or motherboard, you generally only need to do a system repair (stick in the OS disc and boot from the CD drive, it should be one of the options). You will not need to move your files.

However, I suggest you back up all your stuff to another hard drive before doing the system repair anyway just in case. As well, sometimes a system repair is not enough, and you will need to completely reinstall your OS, in which case you will definitely need to backup your files.

To backup all your files, find some discs (if you don't have a lot of stuff) or another hard drive (if you have tons of data). Then use a disk imaging software/backup software etc. to copy all your files to the discs/hard drive. Sorry I can't recommend any software, because I haven't really made backups before (yes, I know, terrible habit).

[K evin]

Two good pieces of information to have to are:
1) Your current processor
2) Your motherboard model

Also, you seem a little confused about processor. Like the other poster stated, they don't hold information, they process it.
Processors are all usually around the same size (they do not have much difference in physical size, but some processor do not fit in certain motherboards..)

[andyroxs]

maybe shes thinking hard drive instead. nobody carries a processor around

[mintywinter]

Two good pieces of information to have to are:
1) Your current processor
2) Your motherboard model

Also, you seem a little confused about processor. Like the other poster stated, they don't hold information, they process it.
Processors are all usually around the same size (they do not have much difference in physical size, but some processor do not fit in certain motherboards..)

lol I can't believe I forgot to mention that very basic point.

Anyway, OP, you seem to be confused about the different parts of a computer, so here's a short guide:

Processor
As Kevin said, it's what processes the information. It performs the calculations needed to run a computer. It's basically the brain of the computer. The faster the processor the quicker the computer will run. Different processors fit into different sockets.
Processor speed is measured in GHz (gigahertz). Most people have at least a 2 GHz processor in their desktop nowadays. Netbooks usually have a processor around 1.6 gHz.
The big names are Intel and AMD.

Motherboard (MB)
What connects all the parts of the computer together. Each motherboard has one socket to accommodate the processor. There are several different types of sockets. My motherboard's socket is 1366 so I have to use a processor which fits into socket 1366.
Asus is the most well-known brand.

Hard Drive (HD)
Where your data is stored. The operating system (e.g. WinXP, Vista...), the programs, your music, your pictures, your schoolwork... kind of like the computer's long-term memory.
There's a lot of things which determine the speed of the hard drive, but first and foremost is rpm (rotations per minute)--how quickly the hard drive spins. The faster it spins, the quicker you can read and write data from/to it. This helps with startup time, and how quickly applications load.
The size of the hard drive is measured in GB (gigabytes). The bigger the hard drive the more stuff you can store on your computer.
The most popular brands are Western Digital and Seagate, from what I can tell.

RAM (Memory)
Holds the data that is processed by the CPU. For example, if you're running a program, then the files needed to run that program are copied from the hard drive into the RAM, then the processor works with the files on the RAM. When you close the program, the files on the RAM are deleted. The reason for RAM is because it would be slow to have to read the file on the hard drive every time you need to use that file. It's much quicker to access the RAM.
I guess you can think of it like this: when you're doing a project, it's easier to have all your notes in front of you (RAM). Flipping through the binder, finding the relevant note, taking it out then putting it back in when you've read it, every single time you need some piece of information, is way slower.
Basically, it's the computer's short-term memory. When you turn the computer off, the RAM is wiped.
If your computer lags a lot when you open a lot of programs, then adding RAM will help.
Size of RAM is measured in GB. Most computers nowadays have at least 2 GB of RAM.
Brand doesn't really matter.

Graphics Card
Handles the graphics (what you see on your screen). It contains another processor that is used especially for doing the calculations for rendering graphics. I'm not going to get into specs and stuff here because it's rather complicated (and the naming systems the companies use don't help at all ). A faster graphics card will help with laggy games and movies.
A graphics card built into the motherboard is called integrated. A separate graphics card you add into your computer is called discrete. Discrete graphics are faster than integrated graphics.
The two biggest companies are nVidia and ATI.

Power Supply (PSU)
Pumps electricity into all the parts of the computer. Measured in W (watts). If your PSU can't provide all the components with enough electricity, the computer will probably randomly reboot, lock up, etc. The PSU is rarely a source of problems, so if your computer is acting like that, check if it's a virus first.
Poorly-built PSUs might short out your computer parts, so don't get a no-name brand.
Antec, Corsair, Enermax, OCZ, Seasonic, Thermaltake are fine.

CD/DVD Drive
Where you put the CDs or DVDs (collectively known as discs). Some drives can also burn discs. You probably know this one already.

For desktop PCs:
Case/Tower
Where you put all of these computer components into. The big thing sitting under your table.

So now you can accurately describe your PC problems

About desktops and laptops
In desktop PCs you can easily change the parts. In laptops, the most you can really do is change the RAM and maybe the HD. Since you're talking about carrying around your computer, I guess you have a laptop... so in that case, if you really want your computer to be faster, you should just get a completely new laptop.

Note: Everyone else, feel free to point out any inaccuracies in my guide.

[lordbordem]

Great amount of information but i think we are over doing it here.

By Processor i'm presuming they mean the whole computer bar screen, so they are asking for some general advice on getting a new computer.

There is 3 ways of going about this.

1)Go for a big brand computer (Lenovo, HP, Acer, Dell etc)

2)Go for a Custom PC builder (Don't know any American Companies unfortunately)

3)Make your own specs

The fact that the OP seems to be rather distant from enthusiast computer usage i would recommended Option 1, mainly for the after sales support and ease of purchase

Option 2 is also not bad, i believe Newegg offers pre built computers i believe?

In terms of spec what you should be looking at depends on what your usages are.

So without knowing what your needs are, it's a bit hard to actually recommend something but in general what you are looking at is

CPU:
Either a Intel Core2 Duo or AMD Phenom X2 or Phenom X4, the Duo and X2 and X4 stand for how many cores a chip, technically more is better, so Core2 Quad and Phenom X4 would be better then their Dual counterparts, but it is also overkill for most usages and i wouldn't recommended at this stage.

Motherboard:
This you can ignore if you are getting a pre-built computer as they will choose the board that matches your CPU

Ram:
You need to look for a minimum of 2GBs, if you insist on getting 4GBs make sure you have a OS that is compatible with it. So you must make sure that the Windows Version you get is 64bit, Most prebuilt computers with 4GB ram usually come with 64Bit Windows but it's worth asking when you buy just in case.

Graphic Card:
This is a very long topic and sort of excessive so i'll stick to a general list.
When you are looking at graphics specs, the Amount of Ram means nothing, the most important bit is the actual chip name.

So a general list of decent chips include.

Nvidia 9800gt, Nvidia GTS250, ATI 4770, ATI 4670.

There are better and worse cards then these, but these seem to be most common cards used in the upper range of pre-built computers used these days and any one of these will suit your needs fine.

Hard Drive:
Just go for the bigger is better methodology here. Pretty much all modern drives are on a even playing field and you won't notice the speed differences to argue the benefits of RPM, Density, Seek times.

One thing to look for is SSD and Normal Hard Drive, an SSD is like a oversized SD Card, so it has no moving parts and is faster than a Normal Drive. But it is also very expensive and small in terms of disk size (you are looking at a Maximum of around 120GB where a normal drive will go up to 1500GB)

The other categories aren't too important when discussing pre-built computers because it complicates the process.

Here is a good link that lists some computer specifications depending on usages

http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/?tag=rmp_sg_whirlpoolpcs_boxes

Here are some pre built companies on newegg that i recommend
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList....;name=iBUYPOWER
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList....me=CyberpowerPC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList....elocity%20Micro

To backup your data there is a variety of ways of doing this, but it might be worth asking perhaps if you have some computer literate friends around in either moving your old drives to the new computer, transferring the data over a network, or the easiest way might be to buy one of those dedicated USB link cables that belkins and other companies sell for this purpose.
so something like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16812200198