What is the Best Computer Processor?

If you own a PC, you have probably heard the term “processor” (short for Central Processing Unit, or CPU), and perhaps you have also heard of brands that make the processors such as Intel or AMD. Even if you are familiar with the term, many consumers are not quite sure exactly what that little processor is doing, and why one might be better than another when you’re shopping for a computer. The key to getting the best machine from a place like Computer Fix Salt Lake City is knowing which kind of computer processors are going to perform the tasks you need the best. Here’s a quick overview and comparison of some of the most common.

What’s a Processor?


The processor of your computer is like a tiny brain for your machine, taking instructions from the software programs and executing those programs as efficiently as possible. There are some single-core processors, which can only do one task at a time, but today there are also dual-core and quad-core processors that allow you to do much more with your machine, without slowing down (there are even six-core and higher processors available for desktop computers, custom computers, and rarely for laptops as well). Depending on the size of your computer, and how much you want to spend, you can get a wide variety of different options.



What’s the “Core”?

The “core” is the engine in the processor, where all the data crunching happens. If you have only a single core, the computer can run only one process at a time before it begins to slow down significantly. With dual-core, quad-core, or higher, the CPU has more than one processing unit, so it can handle more than one program without slowing down. This is particularly helpful for people who need to be able to run several large programs at once.

Benefits of Intel
 
Intel has long been the dominant processor on the market, supplying a significant number of processors each year. Today there are a wide variety of different Intel processors to choose from, ranging from very basic with the Intel Core i3 to much more advanced with CPUs like the Intel Core i7. Generally when comparing one unit to another within the Intel line, a higher number is better, giving you more power and more functionality than the lower end of the line. These processors are known for being reliable and powerful in both off-the-shelf and custom computers, which is why they have long dominated the market.

AMD: The New Kid on the Block

While AMD is not necessarily really new to the market, they have been slowly creeping up on Intel as a contender for the CPU market, especially when it comes to graphics. Many buyers choose AMD for graphics-heavy use because AMD bought out famed graphics-specialized CPU maker ATI in 2006. The CPU maker did a little research and discovered that users really care about having a good graphics experience, which is why they focus their efforts on delivering quality graphics, including 7.1 surround sound and other special features. They also have a line of different levels, starting with Vision, then moving up to Vision Premium and Vision Ultimate. For most users, a Vision or Vision Premium will suffice.

When it comes to your processor, the “brain” of your computer, most people want that brain to function as well as possible, allowing for maximum usability no matter what programs you’re running. Choosing the right CPU with help from experts at a place like Computer Fix Salt Lake City can get you the right PC for all your needs.

How to Know When to Repair or Replace Your PC

How do you know when to repair or replace your PC?

Computers, along with refrigerators and lawn mowers, are some of the most common household gadgets that people get repaired every year. According to a recent Consumer Reports Repair or Replace survey, these items are not necessarily failing more often than they did previously, but because they are becoming more and more complex, it’s more difficult than ever to repair them on your own. In some cases, things can also go horribly wrong and you need to replace it altogether. But how do you know when you should bring your machine to Computer Fix for computer repairs, and when you should just replace your PC? Here are some ways to decide.

Check Your Timeline

There are some appliances that you purchase and will likely not replace for several decades, but computers usually do not fall into that category. If you have had your machine for several years (more than about 3-4 years), you may be experiencing enough headaches and the machine may be old enough that the cost of a new one would be similar, or even less, than the cost to repair the damage done to your existing computer. If you’re not sure what it would take to fix the PC, take it to the shop for some computer help, including a quick scan and estimate of the damage.

 

Assess the Damage

The most common reason computers break is because of malicious viruses, malware, and spyware that has infected the machine. Another common problem is a hard drive failure.

Before you start experiencing delays, difficulty opening programs, frequent crashing, or other symptoms of viruses, it’s good to install a reputable and reliable antivirus, antimalware, and antispyware program on your computer. You can talk to the experts at Computer Fix to find out which programs work best for your budget. Be sure to keep the virus protection updated with the latest patches and security fixes, so you stay protected from the latest viruses and malware.

If you have had hard drive failure, the cost to repair your computer can get pretty high. Often the biggest cost is recovering the data—if you have to send it out to a data recovery firm, that cost can reach into the thousands (especially for high-volume data storage machines such as ones you use at work), or just a few hundred bucks in less severe cases.

Since hard drive failure can be caused by a variety of different things, ranging from mechanical failure to electronic or firmware failure, the real costs of repair and the ability to return your machine to “normal” following the failure can vary widely. You can find out whether you are able to get your machine fixed, or if it would be better to just replace it with a new machine, by taking it to Computer Fix. 

Look at Your Bottom Line

In most cases, there is about a 50 percent rule: if the cost of the repairs is more than half the cost of a new product, then go ahead and buy the new one. Of course, this also depends on your personal budget; if you cannot afford the cost of a new product, you can often get good computer repairs at Computer Fix that can keep your machine going until you can save enough to buy a new one.

How do I Protect Myself Against Hackers?

How do you Protect Yourself Against Hackers?

No system is completely safe from hackers, and even the most secure data can be at risk. However, with the volume of information that we put online today and the amount of transactions people complete on a daily basis over the internet, taking extra steps to protect yourself from being a victim of computer hackers is critical.

Understand the Risks

The only way to completely protect yourself from online hackers would be to disconnect from the internet entirely. For most people, this is unrealistic, given the volume of information that we exchange online every single day. From online banking and bill pay to email accounts, social media, and shopping, we spend a lot of time online. The next best thing is to understand the risks so you can minimize your exposure without cutting yourself off from the cyber world completely.

 

Keep AntiVirus Software Updated

One of the best steps you can take to protect from needing excessive credit repair or computer repair after a hacking incident is to have current antivirus software, and keep it updated. You can often go into your software and set it to automatically update, or at least to alert you when there are updates available if you prefer to do it manually.

Change Your Passwords

With so many different sites that we use today, it can seem convenient to use the same password for all your accounts. While this does make it easy to remember, it also makes it really easy for a hacker to get into several different accounts and do extensive damage. Most hackers will not be able to hack every account you have, or find every password that you create, but if they can find one password and it translates to several different sites, they can quickly drain your accounts, install viruses, and generally wreak havoc on your cyber life.

If you would like to make your passwords easy to remember, have one phrase or idea that you base your passwords on, then create several variations of that idea to make different passwords. Use numbers, symbols, and capitol/lowercase letters to mix it up and make it harder to guess. You can also create a spreadsheet or other log of all your passwords, but you need to protect that sheet with a separate password and ensure that you have adequate security to protect it, otherwise all your efforts will be in vain.

Don’t Share Everything

People often come to Computer Fix Salt Lake City after experiencing devastating effects from hackers and viruses on their computer, despite efforts to keep passwords and website safe. They may not even realize that they are making it easy for computer hackers to find their information through over-sharing on social media sites. People often use names of children, pets, maiden names, and other similar information for passwords because it’s easy to remember. If you have that information readily available on your social media sites, it can be easy for a hacker to guess your passwords just by surfing your sites. If you’re going to include that info on your profile, just make sure it’s adequately protected with privacy controls.

Shop Smart

If you plan to shop online (and many people do, because it’s convenient and easy), be careful about what information you leave behind. The more retailers you store information with, the more chances you have to be hacked. Instead, find sites that let you store your information in just one place and use it at several retailers online, or work with your bank to get a special “online debit card” that can be reloaded easily and quickly when you want to make a purchase, but that is not connected to the rest of your finances. That way if it does get hacked, all your cash is not vulnerable.

The online world is a great place to share and find information, and has many benefits. It also has many pitfalls for someone who is not careful about when and how they spend time online. Use these tips to protect yourself from computer hackers online.  

Most Common Computer Threats

Most Common Computer Threats

Computers are an amazing way to connect to the world around you, but they can also harbor several dangers. Many people may not even know how un-secure their computer is against things such as a hijacker, Trojans, spyware, and worms, but here is a list of the most common computer threats that you should be on the lookout for, and ways to protect your machine against these dangerous threats.

Computer Virus

One of the biggest threats to computer security that we see at Computer Fix SLC is the computer virus. It’s an insidious threat that, once inside your machine, can replicate itself and infect your PC, even before you might know it is in there. You may contract a virus from a hijacker, or just from a seemingly innocuous website or email that you receive. No matter what the source, it’s critical that you have an antivirus software installed on your machine in order to prevent the virus from taking over your machine, deleting or corrupting your files, and spreading through your networks.

Spyware

Detecting spyware can be very difficult, since it is designed to be installed on a PC without the user knowing of its existence. If you do get spyware on your machine, it could be monitoring your movements, tracking your network activity, or even interfering with the control of your machine. It collects information, including the websites that you go to, passwords and usernames used to log in to sensitive sites, and even personal details such as social security number, bank accounts and credit cards. You can get spyware removal programs, which function much like antivirus software, to scan your activity and keep spyware out. You can also do monthly scans, or bring your machine to Computer Fix SLC for regular scans to detect and remove the harmful programs.

Worms

Nobody wants to get worms, and that is true for your computer as well. Computer worms are software programs that attach to a program within your PC, then replicate themselves once you interact with the program. One of the biggest drawbacks to having a worm is how it can affect your network. By replicating and spreading through the network, it can reduce your network performance, and take up bandwidth, affecting your connection speeds and quality. On the more serious side, it can poke holes in your firewall or other system security that allows hackers to get into your computer and control it remotely. Keeping your system current with the latest security patches, and running scans to detect worms can keep them from getting into your PC.

Trojans 

If you don’t remember history class, the Trojans were the ones who tricked their enemies into letting them into their city by hiding inside a large, hollow horse. Once inside the city, they could attack from within and defeat their powerful enemy. In your computer, a Trojan or Trojan horse is software that looks just like a legitimate program, but it harbors a malicious program that will be released once inside. If they allow hackers or other malicious programs in to your machine, Trojans can cause significant damage or steal troves of private information from your PC.

 

The best defense against malicious software on your machine is a good offense. Being proactive about keeping your system clean and free of bad programs can help you avoid the difficulty that comes with trying to get rid of them once they are inside. Bring your PC to Computer Fix SLC to learn more and get it scanned for problems.

How do I Protect my Computer Against Viruses?

How do I Protect my Computer Against Viruses?

If you are like most people these days, your computer is a pretty important part of your life. Whether you’re using it to play computer games, stay in touch with friends and family, pay bills, or even work, you need a functioning machine. Unfortunately if you get computer viruses, it can put your machine at risk, and also put your personal information and files at risk. Here are the most important steps you can take to protect computer from viruses so you can avoid significant computer repair at Computer Fix Salt Lake City.

Use an Antivirus Program

If you use your computer on the internet at all, you need an antivirus program. There are dozens of different antivirus programs available out there with varying degrees of efficacy, but the most important thing is that you get a program on your computer. Some of the ones that protect computers best also include anti-malware and anti-spyware programs. Without this protection, your machine could be vulnerable to malicious viruses, spyware, and malware that you encounter online. Once installed, be sure to keep it updated to protect against new viruses.

 

Avoid Suspicious Sites

Anyone can post a website online, which means that even computer hackers and users trying to spread computer viruses can put up websites. Often these sites will be designed to draw you in and have you click on an executable file (one that ends in a .exe), which can install the harmful programs on your computer. Avoid sites that are not well known to you, or that seem suspicious, and especially avoid clicking any links on those sites if you do find yourself there.

Email Attachments

Email attachments are one of the most common ways antiviruses are downloaded. If you get an attachment, be sure it’s something you were expecting, and it’s from a trusted source before you open it. In some cases an email may come from someone you know, but the attachment could still contain a virus, so if it seems like a suspicious attachment, contact the person to be sure they sent it to you before opening it. Never open an email attachment from someone you don’t know.

Use the Firewall

Today most computers come with firewalls that can block potential viruses, worms, and hackers from accessing your machine. The firewall may not be turned on by default, so when you start using a new machine, be sure to go into the “settings” and turn on the firewall if it is not already on.

Keep Operating Systems Updated

Your operating system runs the entire machine, and can include important security updates, so if you want to protect a computer from viruses, it’s best to have the most current version of your OS.

Computer repair is never fun, and the best way to ensure that you won’t need it on your machine is to protect the computer with the right software and hardware, then practice safe internet behavior that can keep you from mistakenly getting computer viruses on your machine. If you need information on the latest antivirus software or other protection measures for your computer, come talk to the experts at Computer Fix Salt Lake City.

What is Computer Firewall?

What is Computer Firewall?

Before the internet and networks, the term “firewall” actually referred to a wall made of fireproof or fire resistant material that was built to protect a building or area in case a fire erupted in another part of the same structure. These walls were designed to insulate parts of a building from threat of fire, for example, between separate apartment units or between the garage and the main part of a home.

In 1988, the NASA Ames Research Center reported the first known internet virus attack, and since then the online community has been building the best “firewall” software programs or hardware to protect a computer or network from external threats such as viruses, hackers, and worms that come through a network connection. With our increasingly connected world, a threat on one computer or machine can quickly threaten hundreds, even millions, of other connected devices. To prevent the need for excessive computer repair, it’s important to protect your machine with a good firewall.

Two Types of Firewalls

The two main types of firewalls are either software or hardware. The features and benefits of each are different, so it’s important to understand each so you know which one will be most beneficial for your situation. If you have questions about firewalls, talk to the experts at Computer Fix Salt Lake City to find out more.

 

Hardware Firewalls

These are often referred to as “network firewalls”, consisting of an external device between your computer and your internet connecting. If you’re using your computer at home, this type of protection is often built right into the broadband router so you can connect several machines or devices through one router and they will all be protected. Even if you only have one computer, a firewall can still be a valuable form of protection.

In larger network environments, such as a company, the same physical firewall may be used, but instead of being in a small router, it will likely be larger, and will be housed in the server or IT area of the company, protecting several dozen (or even several hundred) machines at once.   

Software firewall

While hardware firewalls are one form of protection, they are not the only recommended line of defense. In fact, most computers also run a software firewall that monitors all the incoming and outgoing traffic through the network and identifies potential threats.

Many of today’s operating systems, such as Windows or Mac, include a built-in firewall that users should take advantage of. In order to get the maximum protection from this available firewall, ensure that it is turned on in your general settings.

There are also several third-party vendors that offer programs called an “internet security suite” for virus protection, spyware, malware, and other common internet threats.

The right kind of firewall can not only provide great protection from the myriad of external threats designed to bring harm to your machine to avoid computer repair, it can also help improve your internet connection and the performance of your broadband service.

Improve Your Computers Performance

Improve Your Computers Performance

When you first come home with your shiny new PC, it can be hard to believe that the average lifespan of these computers is only about 3-4 years, according to survey data—over time, that fast machine will start to slow down. While it’s inevitable that your PC will not run like new for years and years to come, there are ways that you can help improve performance, stretching the PC lifecycle just a little bit longer without incurring a large support or service bill.

Before You Begin

Prior to doing any maintenance project on your PC, it’s important to backup your data. Once you start messing around with the inner components of the machine, there is always a chance you could mistakenly erase important files and documents. If you have little or no experience with PC repair, it may be best to take it to Computerfix Salt Lake City for computer repair.

In order to help with your computer, professionals always begin with the least invasive procedure, only moving to more complex processes if the PC doesn’t respond to the easier things. If you’re planning to do your own computer repair, you should follow a similar strategy. In the event you begin a process and are unsure whether it could do damage, it’s best to stop and take it to a place like Computerfix Salt Lake City to avoid extensive (and irreparable) damage.

 

 

Upgrade Your Hardware

Before you can do anything to enhance your machine’s performance, you must have sufficient hardware in place to support the software you intend to run, including your operating system. There are many hardware components you can upgrade (if you know how to do it correctly), including RAM, graphics card, hard drive, optical drive, and the processor. Some of these upgrades are easier than others, so if you have never done it or are not sure how to upgrade any particular item, it’s best to take it into a professional computer repair shop.

Check for Viruses & Spyware

The next thing you can do is check the machine for viruses, spyware, malware, and adware. All these types of files can be damaging to the machine, taking up space and slowing down the machine. While spyware and adware are often not intended to cause damage to your machine, they can cause the computer to slow down as it works to process these programs alongside your other programs. Viruses are often intended to cause harm, damaging files and destroying your computer. In both cases, having a good antivirus software can help you scan for and remove these files before they do damage that cannot be repaired.

Clean the Machine

Since your computer only has a limited amount of storage space and processing capacity, running dozens of unnecessary programs can cause the PC to slow down. If you’re not using a specific program, go into your system files and uninstall it (note: deleting the shortcut on the desktop is not the same as uninstalling a program). If you’re not sure how to do this, take it to the technicians at Computerfix Salt Lake City to have them help.

Reboot the Entire System

When nothing else works, you can also consider uninstalling and reinstalling the operating system and other programs, but this is a significant step and should only be done in extreme cases. If possible, it’s best to have a professional do this as it can cause irreparable damage to the machine when done incorrectly. Don’t forget to backup all your data before doing this, because it will all be gone as soon as you uninstall the OS.