What are the factors that effect the overall processing capabilities of a computer?

Answer 1

Hardware can affect the speed that data is processed. Newer processors will process faster, and newer devices such as hard discs will operate faster and with greater reliability.

All hardware fails eventually.

The hardware may not be up to the specifications that the software requires.

Software can affect data processing. If it is not designed and coded well, it may be slow, use too much resources such as memory or have too many bugs which may cause the data processing to crash.

Software needs to be developed in a proper way, from design through coding, testing and implementation. If changes in circumstances occur in the stage, or it is rushed, then this may result in inefficient programs. Software that has not been properly tested will crash too frequently.

Software may look impressive but is of little use if it is incompatible with other hardware and software, or it does not provide the functions needed.

The operating system needs to be suitable for the system - You could not run a mainframe operating system on a palm-top computer.

The data being processed must be ip-to-date, accurate, relevant and complete. Remember - GIGO - Garbage In, Garbage Out!

Other factors affecting the efficiency of data processing systems :

• poor communications with the user. Problems may not be properly notified.
• poor user ability. Poor ICT skills.
• procedures not in place for trouble-shooting or making adequate backups.
• maintenance procedures need to be in place to keep the system bug-free and adaptable to changing circumstances.
• insufficient investment.
• no proper provision of support.

Answer 2

There are a number of factors that effect the overall processing capabilities of a computer. They include:

Bandwidth - This refers to the sizes of the various buses and the processing size. The wider the CPU bus, the more data can be processed or moved at a time. The wider or faster the peripheral bus, the faster the computer can communicate with peripherals.

Bus speed - The FSB speed determines much of the speed of all the components. The CPU clock rate, the memory speed, and the peripheral bus clock are all based off of the front-side bus speed.

Instruction set - The more instructions, the more it can do. The speed of the instructions is very important since the more efficient the instructions, the faster the computer will seem.

Internal cache - This is a very fast storage buffer within the CPU. The most frequently used data and instructions get held here for the most efficient access. The speed and size of this cache impacts the processing performance.

Memory - The type, speed, and layout determine how fast the memory is accessed. The amount of memory determines how much can be done at a time and whether programs and data have to be swapped to disk.

Processor clock speed - The processor clock rate determines the speed of a computer within that same computer family.