For a given instruction set (and therefore fixed N) and semiconductor process, the maximum single-thread performance (1/t) requires a balance between brainiac techniques and speedracer techniques.<ref name="shrinking" />
== Internal and External Factors Affecting Computer Performance ==
Many factors can a affect computer performance including:<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hart|first=Benjamin|date=2020-11-17|title=Top 5 Things That Are Slowing Down Your PC|url=https://www.harttechsupport.com/post/whypcslow|access-date=2020-11-17|website=Hart Tech Support|language=en}}</ref>
* Background Processes
* Foreground Processes
* Malware
* Physical age
* Hardware
Many other factors are also potentially in play. All of these factors lower performance from its base value and most importantly to the user lowers [[Perceived performance|Perceived Performance]].
