Purchasing a computer

Devices available for purchase are constantly changing. New generations and models of CPU (central processing unit), graphics card, and new laptops are released while existing devices become discontinued. Consequently, specific device model names are current only at the time of writing.

To further complicate the situation, the assumption that a new device will always provide better performance than an older device may be incorrect. This is because individual devices are released to particular market segments based on performance, power usage and cost.

To understand and compare the performance of devices, some understanding of component classes is required and benchmark test results should be reviewed before any purchase.

Understanding components

There are several major computer components that affect the overall performance of a computer system.

CPU selection

To run Echoview, the CPU must support at least the AVX2 instruction set.

CPUs are released in brands based on performance, cost and energy use

Intel and AMD release a series of CPUs under various brands simultaneously every 4-8 months.

Each brand of CPU is grouped to satisfy a particular market segment based on performance, cost and power usage.

Intel brand

AMD brand

Description

Core 3

Ryzen 3

Sold as entry level, low end, low performance, low-cost CPUs that cater for devices limited to home use. Generally, such devices are not used for multitasking (running a suite of different programs at the one time, with the user swapping back and forward between the programs as required).

Core 5

Ryzen 5

Represents the mainstream option, offering mid-range performance. Suitable for traditional office desktop use.

Core 7

Ryzen 7

Upper mainstream, performance, with higher unit cost. Will outperform the same generation mainstream unit.

Core Ultra 5
Core Ultra 7

Ryzen AI 5
Ryzen AI 7

Premium, higher performance. May include features such as a level of on-device AI acceleration, power efficiency or increased integrated graphical capabilities. May outperform the same generation performance unit. But note that a suffix, especially for laptop models, matters considerably and performance benchmarks should be reviewed.

Core Ultra 9

Ryzen AI 9

Marketed at High performance/enthusiasts with both higher physical core and thread counts, as well as higher clock speed/frequency than a same generation Premium unit.

Xeon

Ryzen Threadripper Pro, EPYC

Aimed at the server and workstation market. Built for stability and long-term use. The architecture used within the CPU is not refreshed as often as the Core 3 - Core 9 brands. They are often very high cost when compared to a Core Ultra 7 released at the same time. Review benchmark scores closely before selecting such a unit.

Within each brand, desktop and laptop CPUs are released.

  • Laptop CPUs produce less heat and use less power than desktop CPUs, but due to these characteristics they cannot offer the same performance as a desktop CPU. Use of a desktop CPU may lead to faster data processing.
  • Within the Intel Core 3 - Core Ultra 9 brands the difference between a laptop and desktop model may only be identified by suffix characters following the series number in the CPU name.
  • e.g.
    • Performance cores Efficient cores
    Model
    Physical cores
    Threads
    Base frequency
    Maximum frequency
    		 Physical cores Threads Base frequency Maximum frequency
    Device type
    Core Ultra 7 265H 6 6 2.2GHz 5.3GHz 10 10 1.7GHz 4.5GHz Laptop
    Core Ultra 7 265 8 8 2.4GHz 5.3GHz 12 12 1.8GHz 4.6GHz Desktop

Within the release of each series, individual CPUs with variant features, performance and different price points are released at the same time.

  • e.g.
  • The laptop Core Ultra 7 255H has a performance core frequency range of 2.0GHz to 5.1GHz, and an efficient core frequency range of 1.5GHz to 4.4GHz. Compared to the higher performance Core Ultra 7 265H which has a performance core frequency range of 2.2GHz to 5.3GHz, and an efficient core frequency range of 1.7GHz to 4.5GHz.

When comparing the costs and features of individual devices carefully review the CPU details provided. Then research the available benchmark test results.

Be aware of Ultra-low power CPUs

The desire for laptops with extended battery life while also having a minimum form factor and minimum weight has resulted in the release of ultra-low power CPUs. With such CPUs resources such as the number of physical cores, the cache and the processing speed are limited to minimize form factor and battery drain. Use of a ultra-low power CPU may lead to slower data processing.

  • Within the Intel Core 3 - Core Ultra 9 brands ultra-low power CPUs can be identified by the character U following the series number in the CPU name.
  • e.g.
    • Performance cores Efficient cores
    Model Physical cores
    Threads
    Base frequency
    Maximum frequency
    		 Physical cores Threads Base frequency
    Maximum frequency
    		 Device type
    Core Ultra 7 265U 2 4 2.1GHz 5.3GHz 10 10 1.7GHz 4.2GHz Ultra-low power laptop
    Core Ultra 7 265H 6 6 2.2GHz 5.3GHz 10 10 1.7GHz 4.5GHz Laptop
  • Ultra-low power CPUs may be found in many laptops and within all-in-one desktops (a desktop computer that includes a monitor in the same case).

Graphics cards

Devices such as laptops and desktops can have integrated graphics or dedicated graphics.

  • When using integrated graphics all graphical interface processing is handled by the CPU and requires the use of system memory (RAM).
  • When using dedicated graphics all graphical interface processing is handled by a purpose-built graphics card. Graphics cards have their own graphical processing units (GPUs) and dedicated memory (RAM).

The use of integrated graphics can result in poor user interface performance and limit the performance of applications such as Echoview. The use of a dedicated graphics card, even when not showing 3D visualizations, will significantly free CPU and system memory resources, which will then provide better overall performance.

A dedicated graphics card is recommended

Integrated graphics provided on CPUs can now provide much greater performance than previously available from integrated graphics. They can be adequate for many consumer and office environments and workflows. With their performance able to successfully run many casual games, older 3D games, less graphically demanding modern games, and games set to lower resolutions and lower graphical quality settings. But as integrated graphics need to utilize shared system memory, this leaves less available for data processing and multiprocessing with other applications such as web browsers and antivirus clients.

For this reason, we recommend the purchase of laptops with dedicated graphics. When purchasing a desktop, we recommend selecting a device which includes a dedicated graphics card or ensure a separately purchased graphics card can be installed.

Graphics cards are released in classes based on performance and cost

Graphics cards are released as a series incorporating GPUs (graphical processing units) manufactured by Nvidia, AMD and Intel, with graphics cards named based on the GPUs fitted.

  • Within each series, individual graphics cards and fitted GPUs will be released to satisfy a particular market segment based on the performance and cost of the unit. Units within each series will span the following market segments or general classes:
  • Low end - These are low performance, low power, low-cost units. Traditionally suitable for office desktop use, only a low end GPU may be sufficient for Echoview usage provided 3D visualization is not a core requirement.
    Due to the increased reliance on integrated graphics in many consumer and office environments manufactures such as Nvidia and AMD have chosen to no longer produce products in the segment.
  • Entry level - These are general performance units capable of providing a moderate graphics level of computer gaming experience targeting 1080P display resolution.
  • Midrange - These can support more demanding computer gaming at higher level graphics settings and resolutions.
  • Upper-midrange - These provide performance approaching high-end GPUs while targeting a lower price point. Suitable for demanding computer gaming and visualization at high resolutions and graphics settings.
  • High end - These are suited to high-end gaming and visualization at very high resolutions and/or high frame rates.
  • Flagship -  These provide cutting edge GPU based computation often including with large amount of dedicated graphical memory.
  • The model number given to each GPU in a series often indicates the GPU's market segment. For example, looking at some of the Nvidia, AMD and Intel

    Market segment Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 series AMD Radeon RX 9000 series Intel
    Low end - - Arc A310
    Entry level RTX 5050 RX 9050 Arc A380
    Midrange RTX 5060 / RTX 5060 Ti RX 9060 / 9060 XT Arc B570 / Arc B580
    Upper-midrange RTX 5070 RX 9070 GRE / RX 9070 -
    High end RTX 5070 Ti / RTX 5080 RX 9070 XT -
    Flagship RTX 5090 - -

  • While performance is ever increasing, being recently released does not automatically indicate that a graphics card will perform better than an older card, if they are intended for different market segments. In effect, a current series low end graphics card may not outperform an older series high end graphics card.

Aim to purchase a graphics card listed within the low end to midrange graphics card classes

  • A low end graphics card will free system memory but are increasingly difficult to obtain.
  • An entry level to midrange graphics card will improve system performance during activities such as computer gaming and video editing.
  • Entry level to midrange graphics cards is usually not provided in the default configuration of general use office desktops. However, they are common in the default configuration of gaming computer.
  • Entry level to midrange desktop graphics cards can range in price from $250 USD to beyond $500 USD.
  • Within a range of graphics cards a plot of graphics card performance against the cost of the unit will show a value-for-money point where an increase in cost brings little improvement in performance. Try to purchase a card at the value-for-money point of the performance curve by researching the available benchmark test results.
  • Graphics cards fitted within desktop computers are often easily upgraded to the limits of the Power Supply Unit (PSU). It can be advantageous to purchase a card at the value-for-money point and then upgrade after 18 months, instead of paying significantly more initially for little increase in performance.

Research various benchmark test results available before purchase

Various websites publish CPU, graphics card, and laptop benchmark test results.

Before a purchase, review the currently available devices to:

  • Compare the performance of devices.
  • Determine the elbow in the performance curve against the cost.

Benchmark tests and reviews

Benchmark tests and review websites include:

Laptop and all-in-one upgrade limitations

Reviewing components is particularly important when planning to purchase a laptop or an all-in-one device. Unlike desktops, the internal components of such devices cannot be upgraded easily. Increasingly, laptop and all-in-one devices cannot be upgraded at all post the initial device purchase.

  • Graphics cards are uniquely built to fit into individual laptop cases, often having the GPU soldered directly onto the system board.
  • Modern laptop CPUs are now routinely soldered onto the system board.
  • Traditionally, laptop memory (RAM) was an upgradable component. But to reduce the overall size of the device memory modules are also soldered onto the system board in many modern devices.
  • Internal storage such as Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and Solid State Drive (SSD) is a component that can be upgraded after the initial device purchase.

See also

Computer requirements
Echoview Editions
Echoview and Windows memory management

Echoview Help file 17.0.138 for Echoview 17, 20 October 2026

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