The invention includes methods for deriving a computer system processing capacity
metric for characterizing a computer system comprising at least one computer processor
having a known processor clock speed, comprising the step of performing a computational
function wherein at least one term of the function is determined by a value X derived
at least in part by raising said clock speed to a non-integral exponential power.
Processing capacity may be thus calculated by mathematical analysis alone, based
on a limited number of inputs regarding a real or theoretical computer system combination,
in a fashion that replicates accurately, and can replace, actual physical testing
or benchmarkings of systems.