June 14, 2010

32-bit vs. 64-bit Computing – What’s Really The Difference?

32-bit vs. 64-bit Computing –
What's Really The Difference?

by Ryan Morse – June 13, 2010

Sixty four bit computing, has been around since the beginning of computing, but it wasn't in the mainstream consumer marketplace until just a few years ago, while AMD announced AMD64 almost a decade ago. Getting the rest of the market to join up was aided by Intel's own implementation called Intel® 64. From there, you needed an operating system that supported the technology and applications that were compatible to take advantage of it. Before Windows® Vista and OS X 10.6, that was hard to come by. You've probably seen that Windows® 7 comes in 32 and 64-bit version and wondered what the difference is.  Even now, I'm still surprised at how long it's taken to convert everyone over.

Without getting too technical or doing any math, I'll explain the difference and why you should go with it.

The Difference:

In computing architecture, 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the size of data in terms of integers and memory addresses. CPUs and memory simply support 64-bit long values. It's easy to think about it in terms of literal addresses, too. Say you have a phone book, we'll call it a the 32-bit phone book, and the integers are the contact information for people. The 32-bit phone book can list a total of 4 gigabytes (GB) of memory, or over 4 billion integers. So this "32-bit phone book" can hold the names and contact information of all the people on the planet living today. Contrast that with the range of 64-bit addressing, which is over 18 quintillion integers and more memory that you get get right now, and you can say that the "64-bit phone book" would be able to store the names and contact information for all the people that ever were or will be on the planet.

For your computer, this gives you support for more system memory, and that means better multitasking and generally improved performance across the board.

How viagra 100mg tablets to get it:

It's quite easy to get a 64-bit system these days. Most every modern computer, application, and operating system is designed around the 64-bit architecture. Due to both availability and price, your average desktop computer system supports between 8 GB and 16 GB memory maximum, with high-performance motherboards, systems, and servers supporting much higher total, but still nowhere near the theoretical limit of the 64-bit range. That's just fine because buying anything near a petabyte (PB) of memory in this day and age would be a poor decision.

There's still plenty of headroom in the 64-bit architecture to last for many years to come, even considering how fast technology advances. 

Just go with it:

The obvious benefit to having more memory in your system is that it lets you hold more data in a place that the CPU can access quickly. Your RAM is a much faster resource than the virtual memory that your hard drive uses, in part because of the way the data is stored, on chips, and because of the speed of the interfaces. You may notice when your system is low on available RAM, it begins to chug and hang; that's your hard drive trying to keep up with the speedy demands of the CPU.

I was quite familiar with the warning message in Windows XP, telling me I was out of free memory.  While it's generally seen as the sweet spot amount of RAM to have, having more than 4 GB of memory in a 64-bit operating system can make it easier to manage large multimedia files like high definition videos and is essential for high-resolution 3D gaming. Audio and video recording also become more stable because the RAM provides an ample buffer while the hard drive busily spins away recording your data.

Plus, you can do fun things like open every Tech Tip article in your web browser at the same time!

Filed under hardware by al

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May 17, 2010

Serial ATA 6Gb/s – The Third Generation

Serial ATA 6Gb/s - The Third GenerationSerial ATA 6Gb/s - The Third Generation

Serial ATA 6Gb/s – The Third Generation

by Ryan Morse – May 16, 2010

The third revision to the Serial ATA storage standard, known as Serial ATA 6Gb/s, was ratified a year ago and an increasing number of devices are coming to market that make use of the new technology.

In this Tech Tip I'll go over what you need to know to decide when the right time is for you to upgrade.

What's In A Name?

It turns out that what's in a name is understanding. A rose by any other name could be just as sweet, but how would you know how fast it is compared to other roses? There was some confusion regarding how to officially refer to the previous two standards. You would see SATA I and SATA II as well as Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s and Serial ATS 3Gb/s used interchangeably. Naturally, with this third revision to the specification coming out, it was important for the Serial ATA International Organization (SATA IO) to get the correct terms out there. First and foremost, the Roman numeral representations of the standards are incorrect, especially SATA II, as this is the old name for the organization that created the standard. Additionally, using that nomenclature the new standard would be called SATA III and would be spoken as, "S-A-T-A Three," which can easily be confused as SATA 3Gb/s. So, while it is a mouthful, the Serial ATA IO prefers you say the entire transfer rate of the standard to avoid any confusion.

What's New?

The biggest and most obvious improvement in the third generation of the interface is the 6.0 Gb/s transfer rate, which translates to 768 megabytes per second, about as much data on a CD-ROM. With protocol overhead, you're likely to see real-world transfer speeds of roughly 600 megabytes per second. The new standard calls for twice the throughput as the second generation and is geared toward streaming high-definition content and high-capacity flash memory devices like solid state drives. To aid in this task a streaming command was added to the Native Command Queuing technology already utilized in existing Serial ATA drives. Native Command Queuing, simply known as NCQ, is the method Serial ATA drives use to organize read and write requests efficiently. Now, with the streaming command as well as NCQ Management for optimized performance, the third generation stands to provide noticeable improvements in operation, with the biggest improvements seen in SSDs (Solid State Drives). Serial ATA 6Gb/s is also compatible with the previous generation, Serial ATA 3Gb/s, unfortunately, it's not compatible with the first generation standard, Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s.

How Do I Get It?

The two ways to get this new technology remain the same as with most I/O technologies, you can install an add-on card or buy a motherboard with it already integrated. There are a number of affordable PCI Express add-on cards, even some with SuperSpeed USB 3.0, too, but you'll need to be PCI Express 2.0 compliant to enjoy the best performance on existing hardware. Buying a motherboard with integrated Serial ATA 6Gb/s is the other option available, but there are only a handful of boards and devices in the market right now. It is likely to remain this way until Intel releases it as an integrated solution in their desktop boards in Q1 of 2011. Until then, widespread adoption is unlikely and you will see the slow trickle of SATA 6Gb/s devices, add-on cards, and motherboards continue. Soon after you'll be able to purchase it in fully-built systems from OEM manufacturers like HP, Gateway, Dell, and the like. Who knows? Maybe the next generation of Macbooks will have it, too!


How Do I Use It?

As of now, the only people that are going to see instant performance increases are going to be Solid State Drive usa viagra users. This will change as Serial ATA hard disks are released with the new interface, but will only see a slight gain in performance. However, Solid State Drive prices are dropping all the time, so if it's within your budget, the next time you buy a notebook or system, look for SSDs and Serial ATA 6Gb/s, as well as SuperSpeed USB 3.0. With new these technologies, you'll be on the cutting edge leaving behind the simpler days when you were staring at progress and loading bars.

Filed under hardware by al

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May 9, 2010

Laptop Buyer’s Guide Summer 2010 Edition!

Laptop Buyer’s Guide Summer 2010 Edition!

Laptop Buyer’s Guide Summer 2010 Edition!

by Mark Tiongco – May 9, 2010

Are you in the market for a new laptop but don’t know where to start? Well check out our laptop buyer’s guide and let us help you decide! First, you’ll want to figure out what you’ll use your new laptop for. This will help you in deciding how big or small the laptop itself should be.For on-the-go web-browsing, quick blogging and simple email, you should check out a smaller, lighter, 10-13" cheap netbook.Netbooks are designed to pack enough power to get the quick essentials done and also have a tiny footprint so you’ll have no trouble carrying them to a coffee shop, school or on a plane trip.Some extras you’ll want to look out for an enhanced netbook experience:

  • Intel Atom CPU (N280 or N450 have Hyper-Threading = better multitasking)
  • HDMI port so you can turn your netbook into a home-TV media player
  • LED-backlit monitor = brighter & crisp LCD screen
  • 8-9-cell battery means 6-7 hours continuous run time
  • Built-in webcam and memory card reader

Unless you’re planning on carrying your entire iTunes collection on your netbook, 120-160 GB-size hard drives are plenty for netbooks. If you need something more for writing school papers, doing research and multi-tasking, a notebook computer between 13-15” should be what you’re looking for.

  • At least 4GB computer memory for heavy multi-tasking such as running MS Word, Excel, iTunes, Firefox and Outlook simultaneously
  • 250-500 GB hard drive
  • Core i3-i5-i7 CPU – These new Intel processors are blazing fast!
  • 64-Bit Operating System (i.e. Windows 7 64-bit)  + at least 4GB RAM as it handles memory management more efficiently than its 32-bit counterpart

Now if you’re a gamer, graphic designer or just need the absolute raw power, you should opt for a 15-18” desktop replacement notebook.These monsters have the power of a desktop computer but are relatively more portable than lugging around a tower and computer monitor.In addition to the 13-15” notebook specs, you should also add the following:

  • (SXGA+ 1680 x 1050) or (WUXGA – 1920 x 1080) – Higher resolution allows more screen space so you can fit more windows for easier viewing
  • Core 2 Duo CPU P-series (i.e. P8450) – Previous generation processor that is still very powerful at a reduced price
  • Core i3-i5-i7 – The newest Intel CPUs, they have Hyper-Threading which tells Windows there are twice as many processors that can tackle demanding applications
  • 802.11n built-in Wi-Fi network card allows for faster communication for quicker streaming videos, file copying and downloads
  • Dedicated Video Card – 512 MB to 1GB discrete video card handles all the video processing (i.e. 1 GB nVidia Geforce GTX 260m or 512 MB ATI Mobility Radeon 4570)
  • 500 GB or SSD (Solid-State Drive) hard drives – SSDs have zero moving parts and help with faster boot times and quicker program launches
  • Dedicated Numpad – For number-intensive tasks, these are becoming more popular on 15” now as opposed to just 17” notebooks

For all you Mac fans out there, Apple has refreshed its notebook lineup with many goodies. First and foremost is the long-awaited iPAD .Make no mistake, Apple has declared the iPAD IS NOT designed to replace your current notebook which is why you won’t find amenities such as a card reader, webcam and multi-tasking features. According to Apple, the iPAD works great for quick email checking, reading ebooks, viewing photos and casual movies and music. Considering its operating system is taken from the iPhone, this notebook would be ideal if you’re commuters, students, mobile professionals and any job that requires you to be able to send out an email or chat without the formality of finding an empty seat/table at a busy coffee shop and waiting 1-2 minutes to boot up a traditional laptop. In addition, Apple’s Macbook family now has Intel’s new Core lineup (i3-i5-i7). These processors do a fantastic job with multi-tasking thanks to its Hyper-Threading technology. Video muscle is improved with nVidia’s current Geforce 3xx- series video cards which help with intensive multimedia applications such as Final Cut Studio and Adobe Photoshop. Apple has also increased battery runtime for the 13.3” Macbook Pro to approximately 10 hours while the 15-17-inch versions have a still-impressive romania viagra 8-9 hours of battery life.Regardless of which brand or platform you choose, keep in mind the reason(s) for your notebook purchase so you can avoid unnecessarily paying extra for those unimportant bells and whistles.

Filed under hardware by al

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Laptop Buyer’s Guide Summer 2010 Edition!

Laptop Buyer’s Guide Summer 2010 Edition!

Laptop Buyer’s Guide Summer 2010 Edition!

by Mark Tiongco – May 9, 2010
Are you in the market for a new laptop but don’t know where to start? Well check out our laptop buyer’s guide and let us help you decide! First, you’ll want to figure out what you’ll use your new laptop for. This will help you in deciding how big or small the laptop itself should be.For on-the-go web-browsing, quick blogging and simple email, you should check out a smaller, lighter, 10-13" cheap netbook.Netbooks are designed to pack enough power to get the quick essentials done and also have a tiny tablet viagra footprint so you’ll have no trouble carrying them to a coffee shop, school or on a plane trip.Some extras you’ll want to look out for an enhanced netbook experience:

  • Intel Atom CPU (N280 or N450 have Hyper-Threading = better multitasking)
  • HDMI port so you can turn your netbook into a home-TV media player
  • LED-backlit monitor = brighter & crisp LCD screen
  • 8-9-cell battery means 6-7 hours continuous run time
  • Built-in webcam and memory card reader

Unless you’re planning on carrying your entire iTunes collection on your netbook, 120-160 GB-size hard drives are plenty for netbooks. If you need something more for writing school papers, doing research and multi-tasking, a notebook computer between 13-15” should be what you’re looking for.

  • At least 4GB computer memory for heavy multi-tasking such as running MS Word, Excel, iTunes, Firefox and Outlook simultaneously
  • 250-500 GB hard drive
  • Core i3-i5-i7 CPU – These new Intel processors are blazing fast!
  • 64-Bit Operating System (i.e. Windows 7 64-bit)  + at least 4GB RAM as it handles memory management more efficiently than its 32-bit counterpart

Now if you’re a gamer, graphic designer or just need the absolute raw power, you should opt for a 15-18” desktop replacement notebook.These monsters have the power of a desktop computer but are relatively more portable than lugging around a tower and computer monitor.In addition to the 13-15” notebook specs, you should also add the following:

  • (SXGA+ 1680 x 1050) or (WUXGA – 1920 x 1080) – Higher resolution allows more screen space so you can fit more windows for easier viewing
  • Core 2 Duo CPU P-series (i.e. P8450) – Previous generation processor that is still very powerful at a reduced price
  • Core i3-i5-i7 – The newest Intel CPUs, they have Hyper-Threading which tells Windows there are twice as many processors that can tackle demanding applications
  • 802.11n built-in Wi-Fi network card allows for faster communication for quicker streaming videos, file copying and downloads
  • Dedicated Video Card – 512 MB to 1GB discrete video card handles all the video processing (i.e. 1 GB nVidia Geforce GTX 260m or 512 MB ATI Mobility Radeon 4570)
  • 500 GB or SSD (Solid-State Drive) hard drives – SSDs have zero moving parts and help with faster boot times and quicker program launches
  • Dedicated Numpad – For number-intensive tasks, these are becoming more popular on 15” now as opposed to just 17” notebooks

For all you Mac fans out there, Apple has refreshed its notebook lineup with many goodies. First and foremost is the long-awaited iPAD .Make no mistake, Apple has declared the iPAD IS NOT designed to replace your current notebook which is why you won’t find amenities such as a card reader, webcam and multi-tasking features. According to Apple, the iPAD works great for quick email checking, reading ebooks, viewing photos and casual movies and music. Considering its operating system is taken from the iPhone, this notebook would be ideal if you’re commuters, students, mobile professionals and any job that requires you to be able to send out an email or chat without the formality of finding an empty seat/table at a busy coffee shop and waiting 1-2 minutes to boot up a traditional laptop. In addition, Apple’s Macbook family now has Intel’s new Core lineup (i3-i5-i7). These processors do a fantastic job with multi-tasking thanks to its Hyper-Threading technology. Video muscle is improved with nVidia’s current Geforce 3xx- series video cards which help with intensive multimedia applications such as Final Cut Studio and Adobe Photoshop. Apple has also increased battery runtime for the 13.3” Macbook Pro to approximately 10 hours while the 15-17-inch versions have a still-impressive 8-9 hours of battery life.Regardless of which brand or platform you choose, keep in mind the reason(s) for your notebook purchase so you can avoid unnecessarily paying extra for those unimportant bells and whistles.

Filed under hardware by al

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May 1, 2010

How to use the System Keys of your Gateway Laptop

Probably this is the first time that you have ever heard of System keys. Well, these are the keyboard keys which are designed to have an alternate use aside from their normal use of representing digital letters and numbers or performing a programmed function.

Their normal use is represented on the key by the white marking and their alternate use is represented by the blue marking on the key. You need to press the Fn key and then press the system key on your keyboard to make use of the system key's alternate function. The Fn key is located on the leftmost part of the first line of keys of the keyboard of your Gateway laptop.

The system keys include the function keys 1 to 12 except function keys 5 and 7, a few page navigation keys, the up and down arrow keys, and the numeric pad keys. I don't know why F5 and F7 are not used but if you really need to know, you have to ask Gateway about it.

The page navigation keys used for alternate function include the End, Page Up and Page Down keys. The Home page navigation key is not used. The normal keys used alternatively as numeric pad keys include the numbers 7 up to 0, the letters U, I, O, P, J, K, L and M, and the characters semi-colon, period and forward slash.

You normally would not use the numeric pad of your laptop's keyboard. It just might interest you to know that your Gateway laptop offers this facility. To make use of this feature, you need to turn the numeric lock on your keyboard on by pressing Fn and then pressing the Scroll key on the right topmost line of keys on your Gateway laptop's keyboard. You can turn the numeric lock off by pressing the two keys one after another one more time.

Use the F1 system key to toggle the status indicators on your Gateway laptop to on or off position. The status indicators are located below the left and right buttons of your keyboard's touchpad. The indicators tell you if your wireless adapter is on, if you have pressed the Caps Lock key, if you have turned on the numeric lock, if your disc drive is reading or writing, and if your hard disk is in use.

Press the Fn key and then press the F2 key to turn your wireless adapter on or off. Check with the status indicators to find out whether your wireless adapter is turned on or off. Use the F3 key in conjunction with the Fn key to bring your Gateway laptop to Sleep of Hybrid Sleep mode. You can then press the Power button to leave make your laptop leave the Sleep mode.

The F4 key together with the Fn key is used to toggle your display to your laptop's LCD, an external monitor or projector, or both the LCD and the external monitor. The Fn key and the F6 keys are used to turn the optional prescription viagra without internal Bluetooth device of your Gateway laptop on or off.

You can press the Fn and the F8 keys once to increase the intensity of your LCD's display. If you press the two keys again, the display will dim and if you press the keys a third time, your LCD's display intensity will return to normal.

The Fn key in conjunction with the F9 to F12 keys are used to control the playing of your CD or DVD disc. The Fn and F9 keys are used to play or pause the CD or DVD. Fn and F10 keys are used to stop the playing of the CD or DVD. Fn and F11 are used to skip back the CD or DVD one track or chapter respectively while the Fn and F12 keys are used to skip them ahead one track or chapter.

Use the Fn and the Up Arrow key to increase the brightness of your laptop's display. Press the Fn and the Down Arrow keys to dim your laptop's display. Use the Fn and PageUp keys to increase the volume of your laptop's speakers. Use the Fn and the PageDown keys to decrease the speakers' volume. To mute the sound on your laptop's speakers, press the Fn key and then the End key.

System keys provide additional functionalities that you might find useful someday. You don't really have to memorize their alternate functions. Just know that they are there and ready to be used whenever they are needed. The information I have presented here are based on the Reference Guide of my Gateway laptop computer.

Filed under hardware, tech hints by al

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