Intel guy here, convert me to AMD

M

Monte3800SS

New Member
Ever since I started working with computers, I have always been using Intel processors. Have always been following Intel's newest products. Now I am going to build a budget system for a friend and thinking about going with AMD. Since I have never followed AMD's processors I am a little confused. Why don't AMD processors go much about 2.0GHz? What is the meaning of the numbers of the processor if they don't correlate with their actual running speed? Somebody help me out here.
 
For a rough comparison of performance compare the AMD rating to the Intel clockspeed. The two companies went for different design philosophies - Intel tried to run as many clocks as they could, AMD tried to do as much in 1 clock as they could.
 
The difference is the pipeline. As Cromewell said, Intel likes to break down instructions as much as possible and run them as fast as possible, and AMD likes to run as much as they can in one go. For example, Intel might take the task of screwing in a light bulb:
  1. Take light bulb from the box
  2. Raise arm
  3. Place light bulb into socket
  4. Screw in light bulb
  5. Light bulb secure? If not, go back
  6. Lower arm
While AMD might do something like:
  1. Take bulb from the box
  2. Raise arm and insert bulb into socket
  3. Screw in until secure

The AMD rating (ie. 3200+) is meant to say "This processor runs as fast as a Intel 3.2GHz". Even though AMD runs at 2.0GHz, it accomplishes the same tasks in the same amount of time as an Intel 3.2GHz.

Something along those lines anyway. I'm not sure what the specifics are (like if the ratings are actually true :P).
 
Ok now I read that the memory controller is on die on the Athlon 64. I assume the bus is still 800MHz DDR. Is it single channel or dual channel?
 
Athlon 64s support single and dual channel configs for S939, S754 Athlons don't. They no longer use a BUS system, it is a Hypertransport
 
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