Laptop hardware and components basic help.

I have a Windows 7 home premium service pack 1 laptop computer.
Processor= AMD A6-3420M APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics 1.50 GHz.
RAM= 4.00GB
system type= 64bit OS
I would like someone to explain to me what each of this numbers or letters mean, what are the good things about it or the bad things.
I would like to use this for business use and casual gaming and internet use.
Thank you in advance!

 

An overview of a modern system platform consists of (in order of importance):

O/S: Operating System
CPU: Central Processing Unit
RAM: Random Access Memory
GPU: Graphics Processing Unit
HDD: Storage device based on spinning platters
SSD: Storage device based on nand flash chips

There are of course supporting chipsets to make these components work together, and these are usually found on a M/B (motherboard).


If the maximum possible sustained performance is needed from a given platform, getting the highest performing CPU and coupling it with the fastest and largest RAM capacity possible will give the best results. These two components work together to give your system maximum productivity if they are both maxed out (depending on the capabilities and limitations of the O/S, the Program (or workflow) used, the CPU and the M/B BIOS).

The O/S system chosen depends on the capabilities of the CPU. A 64bit O/S needs a 64bit capable CPU but a 32bit O/S can be installed on both 32bit and 64bit capable CPU's.

A 64bit O/S' main benefits are the much higher RAM it can use for itself and the programs run on it and also the much bigger data sizes too that can be used without needing to swap out RAM to the storage subsystem to process the users requests. The more the O/S can avoid using the storage subsystem (via swapping out code or data to a pagefile on the storage subsystem), the higher the responsiveness of the system and the higher the productivity/performance is too.

Having the latest O/S can also benefit the user with better utilization of newer hardware (such as SSD's and GPU's) in addition to any core benefits the new O/S offers. The latest (hardware) platforms without the latest O/S is a step backwards, imo.


With regards to the specifics of your hardware questions:

The AMD A6 in your system places in the middle of the low end scale vs. what is available/average today with a 'score' of about half what an Intel i5 can achieve.

See:
PassMark - AMD A6-3420M APU - Price performance comparison


The 4GB of RAM in your system is also barely entry level. Consider that smartphones today have 4GB RAM and going forward that number will just continue going up. With a Windows platform, 8GB has been my minimum for years now and 16GB RAM, although not as cheap as it was just a year ago, is still my recommended build along with Windows 8.1 x64 Pro. You can check to see if you are at least running the RAM in Dual Channel mode using the utility cpuz.

See:
CPU-Z CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting


On most current systems, having Dual Channel enabled is as easy as using two SoDimms. Enabled, it will give a noticeable boost to system responsiveness and even make a difference to some degree or other to the GPU when gaming (the degree difference will depend on the game used). This benefit is shown even when the RAM stays at the same total capacity (for example, 2x 2GB SoDimms are superior to 1x 4GB Sodimm), but as already mentioned, will provide even more performance if 2x 4GB or 2x 8GB RAM can be used on the platform.


The APU tag of your CPU is indicating that it includes a built in GPU. See the following link for more details.

See:
AMD A-Series A6-3420M Notebook Processor - NotebookCheck.net Tech



For your intended workflow (and I'm ignoring the 'casual gaming' aspect because gaming I do not do at all), your system should provide enough performance for your needs.


If you were considering buying this system today, my vote would be a firm no, depending on the price.

If you were looking for a system that you could depend on for business use for the next half decade or so:

Win8.1x64 Pro
i5 Haswell or Broadwell based platform
8 or 16GB RAM
512GB SSD with 30% OP'ing


The bad thing about your system is that it's compute/CPU performance is below par, even when it was released.
The good thing is that the on board GPU is better than almost any entry level discrete GPU is (even today).

See:
AMD Radeon HD 6520G - Notebookcheck.com Technik/FAQ



Hope some of this was useful.

 

Besides what tilleroftheearth mentioned we need to know the Make/Model of laptop that your asking about to give a better picture of what features to see if it matches your requirements?

 

In addition, it would also be useful to know a bit more stuff, such as how you plan on using the computer: http://forum.notebookreview.com/wha...ould-i-buy-form-must-read-before-posting.html

 

I forgot to mention that i already own this laptop, and wanted to know for future reference what all the components meant. So i dont make the same mistake of buying a worthless computer.

 

for basic tasks, it's still a useful computer. Just don't expect to play the latest Call of Battlefield Duty 7 at max settings on it.

 

A computer by itself is not worthless. It can be a great computer depending on the workload it is matched to. It can also be exceptional depending how well it is matched to that workload and how low a price was paid for it.


What I didn't mention in my original post here is that a balanced computer is the best one to configure. And for me, by balanced, I mean one that is optimized/maxed out with the highest performing CPU, largest capacity and speed of RAM along with the fastest and biggest SSD; along with a clean install of the latest Windows O/S and my favorite programs. All of this at a price that is within my budget.

A budget is important to have and a very integral aspect of getting a 'balanced system'. It is not an arbitrary amount. Simply, it is a realistic assessment of the best components to have, at the time of purchase. I have blown over $20K for a single notebook setup - that is what they were worth then. I have also spent less than $800 for a notebook (because I had the spare parts needed to make the system 'balanced' sitting in my office).

What the budget does is gives you a sense of the importance of not just spending too much. But also of spending not enough.

If the workflow targeted is 'high performance' and the budget is $1K - you'll soon learn to either increase your budget (if you can, without going into debt), or keep saving. If the workflow is more relaxed, many times the budget won't budge from that $1K point. But what you'll get is a better quality/higher resolution screen, a lighter system and/or a system that performs well on battery power for almost your entire workday. Or, if you're lucky, all three and more.


The only way you will be happy though whether you spend $300 or $7K for a system is to do so with your eyes wide open and most importantly; match the performance required to the workflow expected over the life of the system, don't (needlessly) spend more than absolutely necessary, but most importantly - have the (saved) funds to spend at least as much as is needed to get more than the minimum performance of what your workflow requires now/today. Spending a one time cost of $200 to $500 more on a brand new system might make sense if it gets you performance that is even just 10% to 15% higher. How? By allowing you to use that higher performance each time you use the system, over the expected lifecycle (usually; 3-5 years with the latest computers).

That seemingly small performance upgrade is like a whole generation jump (or two) to a new system which you'll be enjoying from day one and for a small (percentage wise) one time cost. But especially if the workflow is a paid/work related one, that one time cost is insignificant compared to the benefits you'll reap each time you use the system.


The latest platform (currently; Haswell, but very soon Broadwell and within a year Skylake) is always the base that you want to start with.

Add as much CPU firepower as possible, max out the RAM, learn to use (and use) the latest available O/S available then (if you haven't already) and get the fastest, most consistent and largest capacity SSD's possible and you have a system that even when you find it is no longer usable for your workflows, others will still see it as more than capable for their (workflows)... (in the far distant future... >5 years down the road).

Oh, and keep reading the forums here as the details change almost daily - but not the overview I gave you in the first post.


Cheers!

 

The best way to keep from doing that is to ask questions. Since that's what you're already begun doing you're on the right road.

Nevertheless, you don't need to know everything about a computer or how it works to make a good buying decision. A good understanding of the basis along with the details of how you intend to use it should suffice.

In realty, it could take years of specialized education to learn the details about a computer and how it works. Even then, you may still not know everything.

Think about it, do most people know how their car works? In fact, most people don't have a clue about how their car works. Not internally. Nor do they much care.

Sure they know the engine makes it go. And that the breaks make it stop. But their clueless about the 4 stroke engine, even internal combustion or all the technology of how all these things work together. Their only concern is that it does what its intend to.

My point is, once you understand the basis (which has been provided in detail above), the rest will come in time.

If you find that you have that need to know more, and the time to learn about it, that's where this site and others like it comes in. For people that want to learn more, and share what they know beyond the basics with others.

 

I'll admit, while I can build a computer with my eyes closed (almost), I have no idea how to perform basic mechanical maintenance on my car.

I can keep the outside/inside clean and check the oil, but that's about it >.<.

 

Well, it's not worthless. It will do web browsing, Ms Office and watching movies very well. It just won't crunch numbers, do photoshop, CAD or play the latest games very well. I'd add another 4 GB of RAM if it's a possibility. A SSD will also go a long way if you want more snapiness out of your system.

 

I might of over reacted when i said worthless, i just got upset because 3 years ago i spend $800 on this laptop, and the guy promised me i can work on it, watch videos and play games, and later i can install better parts in it , which i am told laptops are not the best to upgrade.

 

Not unless you spend more on a workstation laptop. But even they fall far short in comparison to a desktop computer which are completely upgradable.

Hopefully the next generation of laptop will be modular and add that convenience? It is about that time, don't you think?