Difference between AMDs and Intels.

[Gutsman]

Hi there.

My brand new gaming rig has an AMD 3500+ 2.2 Ghz Processor, and I've been told by many comp enthusiasts that it's going to be one of the best processors for what I need, gaming primarily. However, I've come to notice that the Intel Pentium IV's operate at 3+ Ghz. Am I missing something? I was under the impression that the more Ghz, the better the comp ran at. . .

Sorry for the n00bish question :(

Thanks in advance!

[jlreich]

Even though Intel would like you to think clock speed is everything, it is not. AMD's architecture is more efficient than Intel. Even though the AMD chip runs at a clock speed of 2.2Ghz, it's rating of 3500+ tells you that it can perform as good as a P4 3.5Ghz, or better at some applications, like games.

I am not saying that AMD or Intel is better than the other. Intel has certain things it does better, and AMD has things it does better. It's just that the way an AMD chip is built, and the way it processes information allows it to perform very well at a lower clock speed.

So without getting technical, the enthusiast are right. You will be very happy with an AMD 3500+. ;)

[Gutsman]

I now understand. Thank you.

[pop pop]

If you want a little more information on why what jlreich said is true, do a search on posts by Saphalline. He's explained this very nicely a number of times. I wouldn't even try to go much further than what jlreich did because I would probably just mess it up. Simply stated, my take on Saphalline's explanation is that AMD chips are more efficient on the clock cycles, doing work on both the leading and lagging edges. There's a whole lot more to it than that, but that's enough for my simple mind.

[jlreich]

Here is a good quick explanation by Saphalline.

http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=36460

And here is long thorough one by Saphalline. If you are really interested in how CPU's are built.

http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=34050

and

http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=34538

[Gutsman]

Thanks for the links, guys. I really only ever understood the first link, then the other two were WAAY over my head.

So, AMD is essentially ideal for apps that are constantly changing? And Pentiums are good for one that don't change so much?

[jlreich]

Right. Intel and AMD have a different approach to designing their CPU's, each one yields a performance gain in certain areas. And at this point in technology, CPU's have become so powerful in comparison to other hardware that it really doesn't matter all that much what side of the CPU wars you end up buying into, as long as you have a good amount of ram, and a good video card for gaming. Most apps can't really push a high end cpu to it's full potential. ;) Not even Doom3 on ultra settings. Don't worry though, it is well known that AMD has the edge on gaming, at least for right now.

And don't feel bad, I have learned a great deal from Saphalline, but still don't understand some of the stuff in those last two posts. :(

Happy gaming! :)