AMD & Intel demistification, somebody?

[MadMax]

If you do a search on the subject, there are numerous AMD vs. Intel threads here.

AMD has a lower clock, but that is pretty much irrelevant. AMD has a higher IPC rating. (Instructions Per Cycle) which means it does more work that the Intel chip does.

This means the 2.4ghz AMD chip is roughly equivalent in most things, faster in some things than a 3.4ghz Intel processor.

Plus, you have a number of technology differences that AMD has that Intel lacks.

Hypertransport bus (1ghz) vs. Intel using a 800mhz. FSB on newer systems.

Direct memory to CPU access vs. Intel using a shared memory bus (primarliy of issue to dual CPU systems)

AMD has much lower memory latency and greater memory bandwidth.

AMD has 64 bit, and current motherboards will be easily upgradable to dual core processors which are coming faily soon. Intel is still a ways off on dual core, and will require you buy a new motherboard at the least to accomodate dual core. But that is a year or more away.

Intel also has 64 bit, EMT-64, on their new Xeon Nocona core processors, but doesn't perform as well as AMD. Part of Nocona's 64 bit is emulation.

AMD's nForce chipset is one of the best computer chipsets available. The nForce 4 provides PCI-E that lacks the problems Intel has been having with PCI-E. nForce4 also provides a wealth of integrated functions such as SATA, SATA II, gb lan, audio etc. These use the Hypertransport bus, not the PCI bus like single chip controllers on a motherboard would use.

For those who want it, nForce 4 also provides SLI, whcih is dual video cards. Google SLI for complete details, or check the nVidia website for full technical explanations.

For the money, I would not hesitate to buy AMD. In fact I onw several of them.

FYI, since you didn;t mention which apps you use, Maya runs faster on AMD than Intel. Not a lot, but the times add up.

It is pretty mcuh a 50/50 split on video encoding apps.

Lightwave was demo'd on 64 bit recently, and AMD smoked. They were able to open 8 instances of a 4 million poly model!!!

[javierdl]

Wow, thank you so much MadMax :)
I guess I can make up my mind now ;)

DPC

[javierdl]

Btw,

Before you go...
Could you tell me more or less what would be the intel equivalent of an AMD Athlon XP 1800+ (1.5Ghz)?

Thanks,

DPC

[MadMax]

Btw,

Before you go...
Could you tell me more or less what would be the intel equivalent of an AMD Athlon XP 1800+ (1.5Ghz)?

Thanks,

DPC
At this point in time, I wouldn't waste my time or money on an XP processor. Not worth it. An 1800 would probably be close to an Intel 2.2ghz.

Athlon64 is in a price range that makes it very attractive and very affordable to even the stingiest of cheapskate buyers.

[javierdl]

I agree, that's why I'll be selling my "1800+" ;)

Thanks again for the info MM :)

DPC

[CGTalk Moderation]

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.