Components such as video, monitor and network interface cards were secondary as long as the PC could run a word processor and spreadsheet. Minor nuances matter.
Processors continue to be the heart and soul of PCs, and they're getting more specialized.
Intel Corp.'s Pentium family remains dominant by targeting specific processors for desktop PCs, mobile PCs, servers and high-end workstations. This is Intel's fastest chip, building on the Pentium Pro design and adding MMX commands and memory space. A Pentium II processor has a special casing that looks like a Sega or Nintendo game cartridge. It fits into a motherboard slot called Socket 1. At present, no upgrades are available for Pentium II processors.