If computer clocks max out somewhere around 5GHz, how is it possible for 100Gbit internet to exist? How does the computer possibly transfer that much data per second?

Question

If computer clocks max out somewhere around 5GHz, how is it possible for 100Gbit internet to exist? How does the computer possibly transfer that much data per second?

In: 591

Answer 1

Because the amount of data processed in each clock cycle is greater than 1 bit. Think of it like this:

Suppose you have a pipe that is pouring water into a pool. Each time the pool fills, a trap door beneath the pool opens, and the water floods down a large shaft the size of the base of the pool. As long as the trap door opens before the pool fills, and the shaft is wide enough to accept the entire pool of water, you can fill the pool as fast as you like, right? That’s kinda what is happening, except with data instead of water. The pool is the buffer. And the clock speed of the processor is the trap door.