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Core Duo is Intel's first dual-core CPU. It's a whole new architecture for Microsoft, using two cores on a single die, which, put simply, gives you two chips in one package. Running at lower speeds than the old Pentium line, the Core Duo conserves substantial power vs. ratcheting up clock speed while offering what was, at the time, record-breaking performance.


Now there's Core 2 Duo. In many ways Core 2 is the same as Core: The chips are built using the same production process and fit in the same sockets as Core Duo chips. Putting aside Core 2 Extreme (a fancy version of the Core 2 Duo), you won't see many spec changes: Both chips have the same frontside bus speed of 667MHz, but Core 2 Duo is now available at somewhat faster clock speeds (as I write this, 2.67GHz chips are available). The frontside bus communicates between the CPU and RAM (and other components), and it's a notorious performance bottleneck for computers. The Core 2 also has the same L2 cache that the Core has. However, there are architecture changes to the silicon that give the Core 2 more sophisticated processing abilities. Both chips exist in desktop and laptop versions.


Why does all of this matter? Performance, pure and simple. In my tests, Core 2 Duo computers outperform Core Duo computers on tasks across the board, from rendering graphics and video to spell-checking documents. The speed improvement varies widely, but on average it's about 30 percent. That's significant in an industry that thrives on tiny, incremental improvement. Better yet, there's not an appreciable difference in battery life on notebooks, as power consumption for both chips (at the same clock speed) is about the same.


Now let's consider pricing. Initially, Core 2 chips were more expensive than Core, but that has changed, as Core is practically gone from the desktop market now. Surprisingly, you can now get a 2.13GHz Core 2 CPU for less than the price of a 1.66GHz Core CPU.Still, expect to see some systems still on the market that use the Core CPU, especially in laptops. Performance is still very good with Core, so don't feel like you're getting second-class goods if you buy a Core Duo notebook, but remember you are buying a chip that Intel is no longer actively selling, and prices for Core 2 systems aren't really any different than they were for Cores. If it was my money, I'd hold out for a Core 2 system unless you got a great deal on a Core... which will be all but vanished from the market in a matter of months.

Taking care of your hard disk is important because this is the place where all the data is stored and once the hard disk crashes, data in most cases is not recoverable. There are data recovery softwares and programs which recover data from crashed hard disks but that is not for normal computer users.

But why do hard disks crash and what can be done to prevent them from crashing?. At the same time how can a hard disk be made more efficient? Here are the answers.

Hard disks crash due to many reasons. Voltage fluctuations, physical impact, improper alignment and of course mechanical failure due to wear and tear of internal parts. Let us start one by one and get the answers to the above problems.

1. Voltage fluctuations or spikes as they are called can be prevented by using voltage stabilizers or spike guards. This will limit the damage to the hard disk to a great extent.

2. Physical impact can be prevented by handling the hard disk carefully when installing/ re-installing. When installing the hard disk care should be taken to see that it sits perfectly horizontal and that it does not vibrate or shake once the computer is started.

3. The natural wear and tear of parts can be limited by defragmenting your hard disk from time to time.But what is defragmentation? All newly created files are stored in various places on the hard disk in a single cluster ( contiguous file ). But, as the number of files and programs increase, these files are not stored as one contiguous file but broken down and scattered in various places on the hard disk. In short files get fragmented. When these files are accessed by the user, the head on the hard disk moves to and fro to locate these fragments. These fragmented files puts lot of mechanical pressure on the internal parts of the hard disk. This leads to crashes. To start disk defragmenter from the start menu, click the start button and follow this path (All Programs / Accessories / System Tools / Disk Defragmenter). A minimum of 15 percent free space on your disk is needed for disk defragmenter to run. The disk can also be defragmented automatically by using schedule task. This program can can be accessed via system tools.

4. Power management tool can also be used to enhance the life of hard disk. To access this program go to start / control panel / power options and set the parameters for various hardware devices.

5. Disk cleanup increases the efficiency of the hard disk. So delete unwanted files and programs regularly.

Have you ever lost an important file on a DVD or CD? InDisc Recovery 3 from OctaneSoft makes it easy for you to recover all or parts of files stored on damaged or corrupted DVDs or CDs that Windows is unable to access. The program can read files on media created with Nero Burning ROM, Roxio Easy CD/DVD Creator, and other ISO-9660 CD or DVD writing software.

Leave room for RAM: Make sure that you have space for future memory upgrades. Your new PC should have at least one free RAM socket (check with the vendor to determine expandability options for systems with dual-channel memory setups). Also, leave some room for expansion when you upgrade: Don't install two modules if you can get the same amount of RAM on one. Always consult your motherboard manual before buying memory, however, as some systems require that the RAM modules be installed in pairs.
Avoid PCI cards: If your machine has both an open PCI Express slot and a PCI slot available, use a PCI Express card rather than its PCI equivalent for such internal components as a wired or wireless network adapter. If PCI Express isn't an option, add an external USB 2.0 version of the device. It may cost a bit more, but USB devices are easy to transfer to other computers, and USB should be around long after the PCI bus is history.
Choose SATA, not PATA: Make sure that your new PC has at least two Serial ATA connectors. Some budget systems offer only older Parallel ATA connectors, and others come with a single SATA slot. If you're adding a new internal hard drive, make it a SATA drive, which is easier to install, has slimmer cabling to help cooling air circulate in the case, and can be transferred to future PCs, which are likely not to have PATA connectors at all.
If your current system lacks a SATA connector, use Addonics' $30 Serial ATA to IDE converter to link a SATA drive to your IDE port. Or add multiple SATA ports via Adaptec's $80 DuoConnect 5020 PCI card.
which includes two SATA ports and five USB 2.0 ports. Always get the highest-capacity drive you can afford; eventually you'll use the space. Microsoft requires a whopping 15GB of free disk space just for Vista.
Go digital: Some hard-core gamers still prefer the quick response and clarity of analog CRT displays, but most users today want an LCD equipped with an all-digital connection through a DVI port. If you're buying a new monitor or graphics card, check that it provides a DVI connection. If necessary, use VGA-to-DVI and DVI-to-VGA adapters available at any computer.

Computers are in transition: Technologies such as the PCI Express bus and all-digital video connectors are supplanting their predecessors. More important, Microsoft's new Windows Vista is right around the corner. Anyone who's thinking of buying PC hardware in the next few months must keep an eye on the future.
If the transition to Windows XP is any lesson, the biggest potential hassle of a Vista upgrade is lack of support for legacy hardware and peripherals. Before moving to the new OS, check with your printer, scanner, and other peripheral manufacturers to learn whether they plan to offer Vista drivers for your product.
Microsoft has created the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor, a free program that examines your system's hardware and attached peripherals to identify possible driver and hardware conflicts, as well as other compatibility problems.
If you're ready to buy a PC now, with an eye toward upgrading to Vista down the road, stick to a Vista Premium Ready machine rather than choosing one that supports only Vista Basic (be sure to see Microsoft's description of the various Vista releases). And no matter which version of Vista you plan to run, don't buy any less than 1GB of RAM.