What part of the processor is crucial for gaming?

[benjihawk]

Such as system requirements, when they say 500 MHz Processor is that referring to the Speed, FSB, or Cache? It's all new to me, please help!

 

[nocturnal7x]

when they say that its usually the clock speed the processor is running at, not the cache which is usually measured in Kb or Mb, and not the FSB.

 

[simon12]

500MHz would be the speed. The architecture is more important than any of the parameters you mentioned, ie a Core 2 Duo cpu with a better speed higher fsb and cache would not be better than a i3 cpu. You cannot really compare these parameters of CPUs of different architectures and if you are looking at CPUs of the same type the core count then speed then cache then fsb would be most important.

 

[jerreece]

They don't even make 500MHz processors anymore. LOL Any modern computer should blow that requirement away. As previously stated by others, the "MHz" rating determines the speed at which the Processor (CPU) cycles. The higher the number the better.

However, as simon12 seemed to suggest it's not all about MHz. It's like cars. Two vehicles with the same Horsepower don't travel from 0-60mph at the same rate. There's a lot more under the hood, in the drive train, etc.

 

[DComander1x]

They don't even make 500MHz processors anymore. LOL Any modern computer should blow that requirement away. As previously stated by others, the "MHz" rating determines the speed at which the Processor (CPU) cycles. The higher the number the better.

However, as simon12 seemed to suggest it's not all about MHz. It's like cars. Two vehicles with the same Horsepower don't travel from 0-60mph at the same rate. There's a lot more under the hood, in the drive train, etc.

Exactly, like everyone is saying, its basically about what a processor can do in the shortest amount of time - as new tech is created, the faster the processor goes, the faster the game runs. To most people, new brands and good ratings (like those on newegg) should be enough, clock speed isn't a true requirement nowadays, considering even the slowest new computers can handle most cheaper games, though for older computers (from 2005 and earlier), clock speed (MHz, or GHz) is partially a factor in gaming.