Dual-core desktop duel: AMD vs. Intel

By Rich Brown, Special to ZDNet
12 December 2005 12:02 PM
Tags: amd, intel, processor, chip, microchip, cpu, round, athlon

Round 7: Price. vs. performance
Which CPU has the most juice per dollar?

AMD

AMD
Our price-vs.-performance chart shows just how much performance you're getting per dollar spent. We based our price figures on the suggested prices from each company, but that strategy has a caveat: For AMD, the X2-series chips have per-individual-unit pricing, which you can read for yourself here. Intel, on the other hand, provides only a suggested equivalent price of a chip as if it was purchased in a 1,000-unit lot. And of course both of those listings are estimates of what you'll really find in the market, so while we used the vendor-provided figures for the sake of consistency, we suggest you shop around.

NOTE: This chart is based on US dollar pricing, but expect similar differentials between chipsets in the Australian market.

Price vs. performance

Given the provided prices then, it's plain that Intel can afford to put its 80 percent market share to good advantage, at least with the low-end chips that most people are likely to purchase. At a suggested price of US$241, the Pentium D 820 chip is the least expensive of the bunch. But while lower is generally better on such a scale, keep in mind the balance between the two ratings. The best bang for the buck in our minds is the US$507 AMD Athlon 64 XS 4400+, which beat the US$530 Intel Pentium D 840 on five of our six tests. And on the high end, the US$803 AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ is the decisive winner, easily taking out the US$999 Intel Pentium Extreme Edition 840 (which, incidentally, we couldn't find for less than US$1,029).




Winner: AMD


    Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7  
  AMD X X X X X X X  
  Intel                

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Talkback 10 comments

    AMD crushes Intel chips across the board Anonymous -- 13/12/05 (in reply to #120125044)

    This is THE best article I have seen showing that AMD processors are dominant across the board - no ifs ands or butts. Its amazing to me this data isnt more well known and more importantly why a Dell doesnt take notice and ship AMD processors.

    The reason AMD X2's are faster Kym Busby -- 13/12/05

    There is good reason that the X2's are faster than the Intel's. The 2 cores of an AMD X2 talk to each other directly using a 2GHz Hypertransport link, while the 2 cores of an Intel talk to each other via the north bridge on an 800MHz FSB. This, as well as the integrated memory controller is the decisive factor in the absolute flogging the AMD's give to Intel !!!

    AMD neo -- 13/12/05

    LiveSTRONG AMD, Baby!

    Curious use of memory Joel Friedman -- 14/12/05

    Maybe it's a misprint, but why was 400Mhz DDR memory used for the AMD system and the higher speed DDR2 memory installed in the Intel tester? An intentional handicap?

    memory difference david lee -- 14/12/05 (in reply to #120125104)

    I saw the memory speed to that is a 267Mhz difference and the amd still won

    Athlon doesn't support DDR2 Anonymous -- 14/12/05 (in reply to #120125104)

    The Athlon does not support DDR2 memory. DDR has lower latency than DDR2 and better suits the Athlon. It should have been noted in the article what memory timings were used, however, as this plays a not unsignificant part in the overall system performance

    Athlon X2 supports ddr2 Bobson -- 02/04/07 (in reply to #120125198)

    Athlon X2 supports DDR2 memory at 800mhz
    but the DDR mem. has a lower latency.

    Dual-Core blowout Anonymous -- 16/12/05

    I would like to see a control test using a single-core Intel EE and the AMD FX-55 or FX-57. Are the dual-core chips faster than their single-core cousins?

    AMD OR INTEL Colin Davies -- 10/05/07

    Im looking to upgrade motherboard and chip.Can any tell me which is the best for converting dvix to dvd.

    the best vic -- 06/06/08 (in reply to #320079144)

    if u wanna do multi-tasking in a good pace, go for amd without even a second thought................

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