The processor or CPU controls the computer. This is The Man (or Person if you insist on being politically correct). This is the brains. This does the business and makes your computer run. Essentially it executes instructions and transports data round the computer system. Fast is definitely better!

CPUs have names, too. If you're young you may not remember the 386 or the 486 but Pentium chips are still around. These are all Intel products and the latest chips are the Core 2 series which comprise the Duo, Quad and Extreme. Most current PCs of reasonable spec will host a Core 2 Duo.

AMD CPUs are the prime alternative to Intel chips. Over the years, the two companies battled it out leapfrogging over each other with new developments, but Intel's Core 2 has currently gained the edge in price and performance. AMD's Barcelona Quad Core might give Intel a run for its money but we'll have to see.