Pentium 4 vs Core 2 Duo Clock Speed?

Question

I don't quite get it... My Pentium 4 has a clock speed of 2.66GHz and there a bunch of Core 2 Duos w/ less- around 2.0GHz. So, is the Pentium 4 better? I always thought the higher the speed, the better, but also thought that Core 2 Duo was better than Pentiums.

Answer 1

Core2 Duo does MORE instructions per clock cycle that is why it is a better performer at moderate Ghz and wattage.

Core2 Duo easily beats the high Ghz Pentium D (dual cores) here:
http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/10351/9
http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/10351/5

Answer 2

The newer Core 2 Duo processor architecture is an almost complete revamp of the processor architecture in the older Pentium 4 processor.

While the clock speed differs, the C2D processor is far more efficient at processing CPU instructions compared with the older P4.

An analogy - it's like comparing a current 1600CC DOHC fuel injection engine with a 1940's 2000CC Carburetor engine.

You may only compare clock speeds to determine performance if the CPUs in question are of the same architecture\design.

Answer 3

Probably. The Pentium 4 was notorious for having ridiculously high clock speeds but instruction throughput comparable to other processors at about half the clock speed. That's what happens when people start buying processors by looking at clock speed exclusively.

Answer 4

clock speed is irrelevent when you're hobbled with a slow front side bus (FSB - the speed instructions come from the processor to the mobo). your old P4 is hobbled by an 800mhz FSB, while the newer Core 2 Duo's have a 1066 mhz FSB.

The trend today is slower clock speeds with more cores, because it's more efficient & generates less heat than a faster cpu.

Answer 5

Althou your P4 is bigger its only running one thread at a time versus the duals running 2 at a time. It's like a road with 2 lanes instead of one.