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What is wrong with AMD processors?
INDEED, there is nothing wrong with a genuine AMD processor! In this article we will discuss how an AMD based computer solution can be far better than an Intel based one, both in terms of performance and value for money. And how one should set up an AMD processor based machine for optimum price and performance ratio. So all those who can’t differentiate between processor of AMD and Intel, sally forth and clear your confusion.
Myths versus reality
In Pakistan, most computer users have many misconceptions about AMD processor, and some of them are mentioned here:
AMD processers are slow: It is generally considered that AMD processors are slow, which is not true. Many computer users will be surprised at the fact that the latest AMD processors are found to be faster than their champion competitor’s. A couple of lab tests for benchmark showed an AMD Athlon XP 2600+ of 2.13GHz clock rate beating, an Intel Pentium 4 of higher clock rate (2.53GHz), on performace in all running application. The results are shown below:
These processor performance tests were carried out on uniform machines with the only hardware difference being the motherboards (same bus speed). The mechanism can be understood if we analyze the working speed of CPU which is based on clock cycles per second. (200MHz means 200 million clock cycles per second). In order to increase the “hertz” of their CPUs, Intel reduced the amount of work done on their CPUs per cycle. It means that a P4 will process 6 instructions per clock cycle while the AMD Athlon XP will process 9! If you multiply the difference by the millions of clock cycles per second, it becomes huge; it is here that the AMD has edge over Intel’s processing.
Some also say that AMD’s Duron is typically slower than even the low end Intel Celeron, which is also wrong again! The Duron processor has also shown consistent results in beating higher clocked Celerons in all benchmarks. Besides, it has also been recorded that a Duron performs at the same level as an equally clocked Pentium 3. Thus a Duron is a far better option when it comes to price and performance.
AMD processors run hot: Any processor if not properly cooled will run hot and this includes processors found in your mobile phones (hanging problems) and Playstations (burnt out boxes). Thus the AMD processor is no exception, and like any processor, will burn out if not provided proper cooling system. If attached with a genuine fan/heatsink combination an AMD CPU will run at lower temperatures at stressed out processing times compared to an equally clocked P4 or Celeron processor. In fact if you spend a little extra you can get super cooling fans made by third parties that drive down the temperature even more! (E.g. cooler master turbo, chrome orb etc.)
Plus all the latest motherboards dedicated to AMD Processors have fans on their chipsets (controllers) that keep the whole setup even cooler. Thus one should not worry about increasing temperatures as they are not a problem with AMD.
Incompatible with most programs: Another false believe is that AMD processors are not compatible with most applications. The fact of the matter is that when a program is coded and compiled, it is supposed to work with the machine standard of an IBM processor (x86 class) and both Intel and AMD belong to that very “x86” class. So if a program fails to work on an AMD processor, it is equally probable that it won’t work on an Intel processor either. Program incompatibilities lie in either bugs in the program itself, or clashes with the operating system or driver incompatibilities, of course not with processor differences.
Not suitable for server race: AMD “MP” line of processors is dedicated to the server market. Having a large cache it easily beats the competing P4 Xeon processors at higher clock rates. With Windows 2000 and its latest service pack, Athlon MP Processors are one of the most stable and fastest solutions available in the market.
Hard to upgrade: Wrong again! AMD motherboards are very flexible and are able to support a large variety of processors. For instance, the A-open KT 266A motherboard for the AMD Athlon and Duron has support for processors from 500MHz to 2000MHz with varying settings for CPU voltage and Front side bus (FSB). Unlike the Intel offerings, in which you have to change your motherboard for each generation of chip design (that is in every six months your motherboard is completely outclassed and obsolete), the AMD offerings are very sound and future proof.
AMD, as a company, is dying: If NASDAQ is quoted, AMD’s shares seem to have been on a permanent high and there are absolutely no chances of this company dying an early death. Plus there eminent line of cutting edge 32bit/64bit hybrid CPUs, called the Clawhammer, shows great promise for this company’s future. With CLAWHAMMER, AMD will be the first company to introduce 64bit CPUs to the main stream desktop market.
The aforementioned supportive argument may prompt you to think that I am sure-shot AMD fan; to some extent it is true! However, my appreciation is based on personal experienced of using AMD CPUs for the past 2 years. Although, I have used Intel based (P2 to latest P4) machines as well, but it has never matched the price and performance offered by AMD systems.
Configurations & price range
I have designed the budget system to provide solid performance while maintaining several “deluxe” features, such as a true surround sound card, excellent speakers, powerful 3D accelerator and DVD playback. In the bottom of each configuration I have given the specs of a comparable Intel system that at least meets the setup in raw power let alone the price. I have not chosen an integrated solution (built in motherboards). This is because that all integrated solutions end up crippling the whole system with their heavy CPU utilization. Plus they remove all chances of a potential upgrade due to their extremely streamlined design (no AGP slot, limited CPU support).
Budget system: A indeal budget system would include following peripherals: AMD Duron @ 1000MHz processor with Gigabyte GA-7ZM (KT133 Chipset)/Gigabyte GA-7iXE4 (AMD 751 Chipset) motherboard, 256MB of Kingston manufactured 133MHz SDRAM, Geforce 2 GTS/Ultra or Radeon 7500 64MB DDR with TV-output graphic card, Creative Sound Blaster Live! Seagate 20GB hard drive running at 5200 RPM, Cambridge Inspire 2.1 Audio system / Boston Acoustics 2.1, Aopen 16x/52x DVD ROM, with generic ATX with at least a 300W power supply, and Dell -104 Key deluxe keyboard. This system would roughly cost around Rs29,000 to 30,000.
All these branded parts also mean great driver support, which in turn means faster operating system support and better application compatibility and performance. A comparable Intel offering has to be that of at least Pentium III 1.1GHz running the exact same I/O devices.
Mid-range system: This system can work as an all-rounder providing great performance with reliability. It is ideal for gamers, movie freaks, and graphic designers. This system is based on these configurations: AMD AthlonXP 1800+ @ 1530MHz processor, A-Open AK7Pro (KT 266A Chipset motherboard, 256MB Kingston manufactured 266MHz DDR RAM, Radeon 8500 128MB with TV-Out/Geforce 3 Ti 500 64MB graphic card, Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Gamer, Seagate 40GB hard drive, Cambridge Inspire 4.1 audio system, A-Open 16x/52x DVD ROM. You will get this system for about Rs54,000
You will get 200 per cent enhanced performance as compared to budget system and much better speed than a similar setup with Pentium 4 2.0GHz processor.
High-end system: In designing this system, price has been sidelined for extreme performance. I guarantee you that this system will easily out perform any Pentium 4 system. This system includes the best available hardware in the market: AMD AthlonXP 2200+ Thoroughbred Core with Cooler Master Turbo or Chrome Orb Fan, A-Open KT333 or ASUS KT333 motherboard, 512MB of Kingston manufactured 333MHz DDR RAM, Geforce 4 Ti 4600/4400 128MB DDR with TV-Out graphic card, Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum Ex sound card, US Robotics 56K external modem, Twin Seagate Barracuda 80Gb hard drive running at 7200 RPM linked via RAID controller, Klipsich 5.1 digital surround sound system, A-Open 16x/52x DVD ROM, Acer 24X CD Writer, enhanced casing with at least a 400W power supply and two extra cooling fans, Logitech I-feel Force-feed back mouse (Optical/Wireless), Microsoft Natural Keyboard, Microsoft Sidewinder Force-feed back Joystick (8-button), Microsoft Sidewinder Pro Joypad (10- button) and 19-inch Viewsonic flat screen monitor. This extraordinarily loaded system would cost you approximately Rs1,55,000.
It will introduce you to the new Thoroughbred core processor, which for layman means better performance and lesser power consumption. The RAM is a whooping 333MHz DDR (double data rate) and allows a whole lot of bandwidth to the powerful CPU to function in. The graphic card itself is something of a small wonder, with its GPU (Graphic processing unit) being more complex than the Pentium 4 CPU itself! The Geforce 4 Ti series of graphic cards offer amazing speed and features, although the new ATi Radeon 9700 Pro has taken over it as the new leader in the graphics arena.
The twin hard disks are working in a RAID array, which means that they are pumping out data at a rate of 266MB per second! The maximum the latest hard drives can offer is 133MB per second! This means faster booting times and loading times, plus excellent disk performance. The speakers belong to THX certified Klipsich. The “ifeel” mouse itself is something of a revolution. It provides you tactile feedback of every activity you do in a supported program. This means feeling the texture of grains in a game of “black and white” or feeling a piece of cloth on a website supporting “ifeel.”
These configurations are flexible with you using various parts to make your own hybrid of high-end, mid-level or budget-level systems. But whatever configuration you choose according to your needs and pocket, rest assure you will be getting more performance for the buck compared to the more expensive Intel setup.
The writer
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