Difference Between GHz and MHz

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What is the Difference Between GHz and MHz

The main difference between GHz and MHz is that MHz (Megahertz) refers to the millions of GHz (Gigahertz), whereas, GHz refers to the billions of THz (terahertz). Both GHz and MHz are related to the computer’s processing speed and wireless transmissions. In the era of technology, all technological inventions are related to the growing capacities and speed in the computing and telecommunications area.

What is GHz (Gigahertz)?

Gigahertz (GHz) is a unit used to measure the speed of electronic devices. In other terms, it can also be said how many times something cycles or repeats in one second. One GHz is equal to one billion cycles per second or we can say the higher the GHz number, the faster the device process information. GHz is commonly used to measure the speed of computer processors and radio frequencies.

What is MHz (Megahertz)?

Megahertz (MHz) is a unit used to which is used to measure the change of an object in every second. In other words, Megahertz (MHz) can be used to explain how frequently an object is changing within a million times each second. MHz is commonly used to represent things like radio waves, sound waves, and even the speed of computer processors. In the world of computers, MHz refers to the clock speed, which tells you how many instructions the processor can handle in one second. The higher the MHz, the faster the computer can typically perform tasks.

What is the Difference between GHz (Gigahertz) and MHz (Megahertz)?

There is a lot of difference between GHz and MHz. Megahertz is a unit that is used to represent one million hertz. To know the difference between them in more detail, you can refer to the given table.

ParticularsGHz (Gigahertz)MHz (Megahertz)
UnitGHz MHz
WavelengthShort WavelengthsLonger Wavelengths
Wireless CommunicationLow-Frequency RangeRadio broadcasting, some wireless communication.
FrequencyWifi, high-speed of networksWifi, high-speed networks
ExampleHigh-Frequency RangeBluetooth (classic), Radio waves, Older computer processors, etc.

Is MHz faster than GHz?

No, MHz is not faster than GHz. Both GHz (Gigahertz) and MHz (Megahertz) are a way to express the number of reparations of a particular object per unit of time. For example, when you measure distance, some people do not like to express the result in meters, that’s why kilometres (a thousand meters) and other smaller units like millimetres, and centimetres are introduced. 

Similarly, to express the frequency of repetitiveness of a particular object, units like GHz (Gigahertz), MHz (Megahertz), and other units are introduced. It has nothing to do with which unit is faster than the other. To understand this concept more clearly, have a look at the mathematical expression of these units.

  • Kilohertz (kHz): 1 kHz = 1,000 Hz
  • Megahertz (MHz): 1 MHz = 1.000.000 Hz = 1.000 kHz
  • Gigahertz (GHz): 1 GHz = 1,000,000,000 Hz = 1,000,000 kHz = 1,000 MHz

GHz (Gigahertz) and MHz (Megahertz) Conversion Formulas 

The basic formula to convert GHz (Gigahertz) to MHz (Megahertz) is that 1 GHz is 1000 MHz. So each time when you have to convert certain units of GHz (Gigahertz) to MHz (Megahertz), you can use this conversion mathematical expression. Further, to solve  conversion questions, you can use this Gigahertz to megahertz formula

f(MHz) = f(GHz) × 1000

However, if you need to convert MHz (Megahertz) to GHz (Gigahertz), then you need to remember that, 1MHz = 0.001GHz. To understand this conversion expression in a better way, you can observe some MHz (Megahertz) to GHz (Gigahertz) conversion examples below.

Megahertz (MHz)Gigahertz (GHz)
0 MHz0 GHz
1 MHz0.001 GHz
10 MHz0.01 GHz
100 MHz0.1 GHz
1000 MHz1 GHz
10000 MHz10 GHz
100000 MHz100 GHz
1000000 MHz1000 GHz

GHz (Gigahertz) vs MHz (Megahertz) Chart

Definition

Gigahertz

Gigahertz (GHz) is a unit used to measure how many times something cycles or repeats in one second.

Megahertz

Megahertz (MHz) can be used to explain how frequently an object is changing within a million times each second.

Example 

Gigahertz

Question: Your old computer’s CPU had a clock speed of 2000 MHz. What was the clock speed in GHz?

Solution:

In the frequency in MHz (f(MHz) = 2000 MHz). 

The conversion formula is f(MHz) = f(GHz) × 1000 and by putting the known value into the formula we get f(GHz) = 2000 MHz / 1000.

Finally, by solving this equation, the clock speed of the old computer’s CPU in GHz comes to 2 GHz.

Megahertz

Question: The Wi-Fi router you are using transmits a signal at 5 GHz. What is the equivalent frequency in MHz?

Solution:

In the frequency, GHz (f(GHz) = 5 GHz). The conversion formula is f(MHz) = f(GHz) × 1000 and by putting the known value into the formula we get: f(MHz) = 5 GHz × 1000. 

Finally, by solving this equation, the equivalent frequency of the Wi-Fi signal in MHz is 5000 MHz. 

Practice Question

Gigahertz

Your home microwave oven operates at a frequency of 2.45 GHz. 

Microwaves use this frequency to heat food by exciting water molecules. What is the equivalent frequency in terms of millions of cycles per second?

Megahertz

A standard Bluetooth connection operates around 2.4 GHz. However, some newer devices utilize Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for lower power consumption.

BLE operates in a different frequency range. If a BLE device transmits at 2400 MHz, what is the equivalent frequency in MHz?

Application of GHz (Gigahertz) and MHz (Megahertz) in Real Life

At one time  MHz (Megahertz) is used extensively to define the speed of the clock.

However, now GHz (Gigahertz) is used to measure the speed of the same as it has a much faster processor. 

GHz (Gigahertz) and MHz (Megahertz) are used to measure the speed of an electronic device.

FAQ’s

What is the definition of the GHz (Gigahertz)?

Gigahertz (GHz) is a unit used to measure the speed of electronic devices. In other terms, it can also be said how many times something cycles or repeats in one second. 

What is the definition of the Megahertz (MHz)?

Megahertz (MHz) is a unit used to which is used to measure the change of an object in every second. In other words, Megahertz (MHz) can be used to explain how frequently an object is changing within a million times each second.

How many GHz (Gigahertz) are there in 1 MHz?

In 1 MHz there is 0.001 GHz.

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