Which is better, faster bus speed or larger cache?

Question

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 4600+ with AMD Live, 2.4 GHz processor speed, 2000MHz front side bus & 512KB+512KB L2 cache or
Intel Viiv Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13 GHz w/1066MHz FSB & 2MB L2 cache both systems have 2048 MB PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM memory.

Answer 1

First of all, the AMD has a 2000Mhz HyperTransport, which is NOT a front side bus, different system. Now the amongst the two you compared, the Core 2 Duo is better, the Core 2 Duos consitantly outbenchmark the Athlon X2s.

Answer 2

Okay here is how it is. They are both exceptional chips however the athlon x2 chip is designed for multi tasking while the pentium is has had some issues in the performance of its dual core. So you can do two things at once very easily. However it can use all of its power into one thing if you are into gaming get the athlon fx processor. If you like to multi task get the athlon x2. Pentium is more stable then athlons because athlons are built to give it all. But this is not entirely true it just depends on what you do to your chipset. I personally recommend the athlon chip. It is a great chip. Design wise and performance wise the athlon is by far greater. Pentium is becomming second class it always comes out with things later while athlon is already ahead and is making the chips better with the newer technology

Answer 3

As for your question, we need both for better performance. But in the examples you have provided, AMD will be a better choice. This is because, AMD does not use a memory controller like Intel based MOBOs. The AMD CPU is directly connected to the memory, while Intel CPU connects via the Memory controller. The extra chip increases the access time, so comparatively slow speed. Also the cache in the AMD processor you have mentioned is comparable to the Intel.
The dual core Intel does not help.
Additional details:
A dual core Intel does not necessarily make it faster. I have worked with both Intel and AMD. (edited on 12/15/2006 1322 ET)

Answer 4

In head to head tests, the Core 2 Duo's have outperformed AMD's CPU's. I regret to say this because I am a big AMD fan (no pun intended).

Answer 5

Faster bus speed hand down!

Answer 6

Faster Bus Speed any day of the weak.
What would you rather have a fire hose or a bigger bucket?

Answer 7

maybe the bus or the larger cache