-=PCTechTalk=- Re: processors, AMD vs. Intel?

  • From: Gman <gman.pctt@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2009 23:01:57 -0500

Well, Cristy, I can't touch this reply for 'breath of scope', so I'm not 
going to even try.       lol

What I will say is that AMD scores better than Intel for most multimedia 
tasks (both audible and visual).  Intel ranks MUCH better than AMD for most 
productivity tasks (Office, etc.).  Today's better AMD chips run hotter 
because they are grown using a larger sized transistor (65nm.) than Intel's 
better chips (45nm.).  Chances are VERY good that you're currently running a 
processor (from either maker) that's made with larger transistors than 
what's being used today.  The smaller they can make the transistors, the 
cooler the chip can be made to run.  Intel has the upper hand in transistor 
size because they have a LOT more money to toss at R&D for studying 
fabrication techniques (AMD spent their budget on buying up ATI, the 
graphics card maker).  But even with all of that money, they still look to 
AMD for ideas on what direction they should be heading.  To me, that means 
AMD is the more innovative company.

Combining all of this with what Disastar has already mentioned should point 
you towards getting at least a dual-core AMD processor (AM+ socket) with 
matching motherboard & RAM.  Since these three items are the core components 
of any computer system, I wouldn't skimp on any of them (~$400 USD for all 
three should be a good starting point).  It can be convincingly argued that 
the graphics card has become a fourth 'core' component of any modern system, 
so I will give the same advice on that.  Your target for a video card should 
be at least $200 - 250 USD alone for the things you want to do with your new 
system (and that should take care of most 'gaming' you choose to add later, 
too).

As Disastar also said, it takes several days of intense research to "throw 
together" a decent system these days.  Many, many things have to be taken 
into consideration and having one part that doesn't quite fit in can really 
hurt an otherwise good build.  You need to decide whether or not you'll need 
a case (or reuse an older one).  How many parts can you bring over from the 
old system if that's to be retired?  How much can this new build be upgraded 
as time passes?  What else will you need?

Give some thought to all you've heard so far and let us know whatever 
questions come up.  Several of us have been putting together custom systems 
for a long time and you can be assured we'll do what we can to steer you in 
the right direction.

Happy Holidays,
Gman

"The only dumb questions are the ones we fail to ask"

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Disastar" <disastar@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, January 02, 2009 8:38 PM
Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: processors, AMD vs. Intel?


> Yes, it is often hard to tell the difference and it depends a lot on how 
> you
> use your computer.
>
> This is a very tricky question to answer.  They both have their pros and
> cons and its hard to compare the two because you just can't go by the MHz
> speed and one might be better while running one program, but the other 
> might
> be better running another program.  You also have the same problem 
> comparing
> different processors from the same manufacturer.
>
> Example:  Which is better, a faster single core CPU or a slower dual core?
>
> Answer:  It depends a lot on what programs you run and how you use your
> computer among other things.  If you almost always run more than one 
> program
> at the same time then dual core would be better and quad core even better
> (most likely).  But, if the program you use often is very CPU intensive 
> and
> is not designed to run on multiple cores, then the multi-cores wouldn't 
> help
> unless there are other programs running at the same time that slow the CPU
> down.
>
> Confused?  I'm sorry, but this is only the main points and it only gets 
> more
> complicated.  Maybe Gman can explain it better... he has a way with words
> that I can't touch.
>
> OK, maybe this will help:
> - AMD is usually cheaper for the performance you get, but they usually run
> hotter, so they often have a noisier fan cooling them.
> - Multiple core CPU's usually give a snappier feel to Windows especially 
> if
> you run more than one program at a time.
> - Movie editing and graphics editing will usually benefit from having as
> many cores as you can afford, but spending extra money on a better video
> card might improve these tasks better.
> - High tech action games are also more dependent on graphics card than 
> CPU,
> but you still need a decent CPU.
> - If you don't run any CPU hogging programs, then anything new would feel 
> a
> world better than an old PC, but a dual core would probably feel more
> responsive.
> - If you are just trying to get Vista to run better, then get something 
> with
> 3 or 4 Gigabytes of RAM, good video card (better video card if you plan on
> running Vista's Aero), and as fast a dual core as you can afford.
>
> As you can see, the graphics performance often matters as much as the CPU
> (sometimes more so), so I'm guessing your next question will be about 
> video
> cards.  Unfortunately video cards are at least as complicated.  When I buy
> computer parts I spend days doing google searches for reviews and
> comparisons of everything I'm looking for.
>
> The more info you give us on what programs you plan on running, the better
> advise we can give you.  ;) 

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