Confused about Intel and AMD! Help!

T

TheOrteganator

New Member
I've been looking for a new computer recently.

My current setup is:

AMD Athalon 3000+ 2.10GHz
1GB RAM
ATI Radeon 9550 256MD AGP Video Card
120 GB Hard Drive
Audigy Sound Card


I've been messing around with the computer configurators on www.cyberpowerinc.com and have decided based on cost that that is where my next computer will be from.

I am trying to decide between the following two processors:

1.) AMD Athalon 64 X2 5200+ 2.6GHz 2X1MB L2 Cache
2.) Intel Pentium D 945 3.4GHz 800FSB 2x2MB L2 Cache


I play a lot of games such as Battlefield 2, Test Drive Unlimited, SWAT 4, Madden 2007, and Microsoft Flight Simulator X(10). I am wondering what my best choice will be. Aside from the gaming, my father will be using to to edit photos for his photography business.

I have heard that the AMD will be faster despite having less GHz, how is this true? Please justify answers so that I can maybe start to understand some of this... I'm so confused. :confused:

Any suggestions will be much appreciated, thanks.
 
Of those, the AMD X2 is the better CPU. I would strongly recommend an Intel Core 2 Duo, however.

Clock speed is far from the only concern when comparing processors. The performance difference is related to architectural differences in the CPU, mainly the reduced pipeline length.
 
The AMD model is going to top the Intel Pentium D for two main reasons. That's a Socket AM2 model cpu for the newer type of board with the AM3 still pending. It's a dual core cpu over the single cored Intel model. That will prove better for multitasking as well as overall performance. The specifications can be seen at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103759&ATT=19-103-759&CMP=OTC-17exta6

AMD cpus generally run cooler then the older P4s and P Ds for a start. Both the latest AMD and Intel models alike use less power to process the same or more. The advice seen lately by most ocers will be on the newer Core 2 Duo and Extreme dual core cpus out by Intel. AMD did have the edge before those by how their line of cpus went more by the bus speed over cpu clock speed to see performance increases there.
 
PC eye said:
The AMD model is going to top the Intel Pentium D for two main reasons. That's a Socket AM2 model cpu for the newer type of board with the AM3 still pending. It's a dual core cpu over the single cored Intel model. That will prove better for multitasking as well as overall performance. The specifications can be seen at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103759&ATT=19-103-759&CMP=OTC-17exta6
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The Pentium D is a dual core CPU, not a single core.
 
When a website says "Core 2 Duo (2.4GHz)" does that mean that it has dual 2.4GHz processors, or is 2.4 the total processing power between both of them?

Also, does a higher GHz always mean faster, or no?
 
higher ghz DOES NOT MEAN FASTER i really want to stress that. even if you get a pentium D to 7ghz, it wont be as fast as a qx6700
 
Basically (and simply), 3GHz means the processor is doing something 3 Billion times every second.

But, some ranges of processors does more per clock than others. AMD Athlon's do more work per clock than Intel Pentium D's or Pentium 4's.

Intel Core 2 Duo's do more work per clock than all of the above. (I can't remember the ratios between the work done per clock cycle for these).

And, that's why the frequency isnt as important as you would think.
 
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thealmightyone said:
Basically (and simply), 3GHz means the processor is doing something 3 Billion times every second.

But, each range of processors does more per clock than others. AMD Athlon's do more work per clock than Intel Pentium D's or Pentium 4's.

Intel Core 2 Duo's do more work per clock than all of the above. (I can't remember the ratios between the work done per clock cycle for these).

And, that's why the frequency isnt as important as you would think.
Click to expand...

One comparison based on that reasoning places the AMD 4600+ X2 Windsor 2.4ghz cpu against the Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4ghz model. Which one would prevail there?
 
tweaker said:
Don't bet on it. :)
Click to expand...

lol. Well, i may have exaggerated a LITTLE. But the point i was trying to get at was that Intel made everyone think that GHz means everything when really it didnt. And still doesnt. And never will. lol.

Im not sure if the pentium would win, to be honest i think it would be at the very least a close match.
 
The AMD Model there would seem to do more done in the same amount of cycles while Intel has had to make some improvements in their line. I suspect the AM2 and soon to come AM3 line up with AMD models will pass the C2 models.
 
StrangleHold said:
That does not include the Core 2 duo!!
I have the X2 4600 and at stock speed its about the same as the E6400, the E6600 at stock will beat it!!
Click to expand...

The other article wasn't on the 4600+ but the comparison between the 5000+ and E6600. Where's your article comparing the 4600+?
 
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