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Clock Speed
DocumentID: 619367
Revision Date: 29-Feb-96 1:38:33 PM

The information in this document applies to:
WordPerfect® 5.1 for DOS

Problem

Solutions: Computers are controlled by a series of electronic impulses. For the desired execution of commands to occur, these impulses must be synchronized. The clock speed refers to the frequency of cycles per second the computer synchronizes to execute commands. The more cycles per second, the faster the commands are executed. These cycles are referred to as hertz, abbreviated as hz. One hertz is one cycle per second. 1,000 cycles per seconds is 1,000 hertz, or 1 megahertz (1 MHz).

An IBM PC XT computer operates at a clock speed of 4.77 MHz. An IBM AT (286) runs at 6, 8 and 12 MHz. New 386 and 486 machines run at 20, 25, 33, 40, 50 and 66 MHz. Some computers have switches or software that allows them to operate at different speeds depending on the application. The new 66 MHz computers use new circuitry which allows the 486 processor to operate internally at 66 MHz while the remainder of the system board actually operates at 33 MHz.

While the clock speed may be the same on two machines, the execution time of a program will differ depending on the CPU. The 80286 processes commands twice as fast as the 8088 machine because of the nature of the chip. Therefore, a program executed at the same clock speed will execute at least twice as fast on the 80286 base machine than on an 8088 base machine.

Clock speed is a matter of time rather than compatibility when running WordPerfect. WordPerfect can execute accurately on all current clock speeds available on IBM and compatible computers.

Answer:

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