Used to measure computer speeds, a gigahertz is equal to how many cycles per second?

A computer's processor clock speed determines how quickly the central processing unit (CPU) can retrieve and interpret instructions. This helps your computer complete more tasks by getting them done faster. Clock speeds are measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz), with a higher number equating to higher clock speed.

Gigahertz (GHz) is a frequency unit that measures the number of cycles per second. Hertz (Hz) refers to the number of cycles per second with periodic 1-second intervals. One megahertz (MHz) equals 1,000,000 Hz. One gigahertz is equal to 1,000 megahertz (MHz) or 1,000,000,000 Hz.

Therefore a megahertz (MHz) is equal to one billion cycles per second.