AMD Processors... help?

Question

I want to get a new computer with an AMD processor, cos I've heard they're pretty goodI'm lost, they should come with a sticker saying "this is the equivalent to a Pentium" or "this is the equivalent to a Core 2 Duo" - joke. I also don't understand how to judge their speed in relation to their Intel counterparts.

Please help!

Answer 1

Comparing processors isn't quite as easy as it was in the old days when you looked at MHz of the processor to know how they compared. AMD used to name their processors in a way to provide a basic comparison to Intel processors but with recent processor development, comparing clock speeds isn't very important. If you want a fairly simple comparison, try looking at some of the tech sites that do performance test against a variety of applications. A common site for this is Tom's Hardware although you can certainly find supporters and critics for their results. For a general guideline, I find it to be reasonably usable for comparison. Here is a link to their CPU comparison:

Answer 2

I've heard from a reputable person at my job that the AMD Athlon series numbering system compares to the Intel Pentium 4 series in this way:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800 = Intel Pentium 4 3.8Ghz
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200 = Intel Pentium 4 4.2Ghz
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000 = Intel Pentium 4 5.0Ghz

This is only IF there were Pentium 4 of these speeds... I dont know about the opteron, FX-series or core 2 duos or anything else... this is only for Athlon vs P4's

Answer 3

Hahah, actually they used to do JUST THAT!

The AMD XP series of CPUs were rated according to model #.

so that an AMD XP 3200+ was the equilavent to the intel P4 running at 3.2 Ghz. (actually IMO, blew it out of the water... but that's the CPU ratings thing they were working w/ at the time).

Honestly, right now... the intel Core 2 duo seems to be the better option... if you need CPU power - go w/ the Core 2 Duo 6600. Want to save a little loot? Try the Core 2 Duo 6300. A little cheaper (less memory on the CPU itself).

The thing to keep in mind...

is that some CPUs get more work done per cycle.

so if I can haul 6 barrels in one cycle... great.

but my friend here can haul 20.

now I run at 2000 cycles per second....

but my friend runs 1600...

(no those are not real #'s for CPUs... just an example).

But you see teh difference... yeah one is slower - but gets more done... it's interesting. Intel pushed SPEED for a long time... while AMD pushed efficiency and low power.

interesting stuff tho.

Answer 4

AMD 64X C Dual core processor is equivalent to intels core 2 dual

Answer 5

Simple fact -

amd always out performs intel. It's always more value for money.

Go into google and type in

amd vs intel.

you will be godsmacked.