Too Fast

Still complaining that your PC isn’t fast enough?

Your pleas for more computing speed and muscle might be justified if your computer is being powered by an Intel Celeron processor. However, if you’re unit has a dual core chip, chances are is that you won’t be pulling your hair out of frustration whenever you’re loading or running an application no matter how big it is.

Gone are the days when chipmakers are lagging behind software producers in coming up with the best product. Before the advent of multiple core processors, programs often sip the life out of computers. Image or video-editing software usually makes the latest PC look like a has-been. Today, dual or quad core computers treat such power-hungry applications like they’re just DOS-based programs.

Sky’s the Limit

If you’re going to listen to Intel or AMD, there seems to be no limit as to the number of cores that a chip could have. Soon, there will be no program that’s too heavy enough for processors to load or run. Microsoft’s latest OS is currently flexing the muscles of the two leading chipmakers’ products. However, many believe that Vista’s warning regarding system requirements would already become inconsequential once quad or multiple core PCs start to roll out in the market and replace the single and dual core chips that are currently considered as industry standards.

Chip producers are currently making their counterparts in the software industry eat dust. By late this year or early next year, there will be no application that’s big or complicated enough for any processor. A few years ago, software makers were complaining that the available processors are just not powerful enough in order to fully exploit the potentials and capabilities of their products. At present, Intel and AMD are now the ones that are complaining that program authors are not taking advantage of the power or features of the latest processors. Many programs are still being written for single core chips.

The Turtle Wakes Up

The laggard pace at which software makers are trying to exploit the new progress in chip design was the topic in the recently concluded Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) in Los Angeles. Application authors now admit that they may have been slow in redesigning their products in order to fully exploit the power of the latest processors.

One of the interesting notes or tidbits that were floated in the conference was the need for the next Windows program to be architecturally different from its present design. Microsoft’s Ty Carlson admitted that Vista is not designed to take advantage of the 16 or more cores or threads that would soon be the industry standard. He further lamented that while Vista is already lagging behind in the race to keep up with the developments in the chip-making business, other applications fare unforgivably worse.

Vista Shortcoming

I’m sure that many would be elated by the news that the next Microsoft OS would already be able to flex all the muscles of the latest multiple core processors from Intel and AMD. However, I’m also certain that many Vista users would start to ponder if their decision to shift to Vista was a wise investment or not. I’m not sure if the news would dampen Vista sales since some might entertain the thought of delaying their migration from XP and just wait for the new Windows to be released.

I’m currently happy with Vista. However, I would definitely want an OS that could fully exploit the capabilities of the processor that I’m using. I don’t mind going through the installation process of a Microsoft OS again, especially since device driver finders make the transition easy and headache-free. As long as I’ll be getting my money’s worth, I definitely wouldn’t mind spending for a new OS or a new unit.

Entry Filed under: Device Drivers