Clock speed of processor tells you how many times per second data transfers through wires. Processor sends data during by swapping high and low voltage signals. Every set of one high and one low voltage signal equals a single cycle. Clock speed measures number of cycles per second in either MHz or GHz.

1. Search for clock speed of processor Windows by go to "Control Panel" and choosing "System and Maintenance." Open "System" icon. Search for clock speed as number in MHz or GHz, beside the processor.

2. Find processor speed on an Apple computer.

3. If clock speed measures in MHz, multiply the number by 1 million to get number of cycles it performs per second. For example, a 100 MHz clock speed would move 100 million sets of high and low voltage impulses of data through processor.

4. Multiply clock speed by 1 billion to decide number of data cycles per second. For example, PC working at 2.0 GHz would send 2.0 times 1 billion equals 2 billion bits of data every real time second.

5. Speeding up clock speed by altering BIOS settings above actual clock speed could result in overheating and needs an expert if you aim to take that route without wearing out processor. Never raise BIOS speed over 5 to 10 percent as PC could overheat from being "overclocked."