Intel Corporation produces several different types of Pentium processors for IBM- compatible computers: Pentium, Pentium MMX, Pentium Pro, Pentium II, and Pentium III . Each successive Pentium processor is faster and more powerful than the previous one. Since the processor is the main source of your computer's ability to manipulate data rapidly, a faster processor means that programs run swifter and smoother and require less time to load. The rate at which processors manage information is measured in megahertz, or millions of cycles per second. The size and speed of the processor's on-board bus and memory cache also influence the processor's effectiveness. If you need a computer for relatively basic operations such as e-mail and word processing, then you may not require a fast, high-end processor with a large bus and memory cache. The basic Pentium might be sufficient for your situation. For more complex functions, such as graphics management and other multimedia applications, the Pentium with MMX, short for multimedia extensions, is a faster alternative. The Pentium Pro and the Pentium II are successively swifter due to their faster buses. Lastly, the Pentium III is the quickest; it comes packaged with the Katmai New Instruction set, also known as MMX Two, a built-in hardware device that facilitates video and sound applications. For more information about Pentium processors, consult a computer professional.
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