Pentium IV versus AMD Processor

Loobeylou

Does anyone have any view on Pentium IV versus AMD Processor.

Had not even heard of the AMD until recently - thought there was only the P4 and the Celeron.

Some shops seem to think the AMD is great, but another shop advised that he had had nothing but bother with the AMD - something to do with an overheating problem - however he did admit that was nearly two years ago, but won't stock them now.

Advice please.

wolfman

AMD all the way, well mostly.

There's a number of AMD cpu models, the ones you'll probably hear about are Sempron, Athlon and the Athlon 64.

Basically, the cpu I'd advise you to look for is an AMD Athlon 64, on a 939 socket (not socket 754!). Socket 939 is the newer and much better platform. Also the AMD64's come in different cores, try and get a San Diego core instead of a Winchester.

So, in simple terms, ask for an AMD Athlon 64, Socket 939, San Diego.

The AMD64 generally out performs the Pentium 4, although it depends what you use the cpu for. The AMD64 does run much cooler than a Pentium 4 though. In fact Pentium 4 (Prescott cores) have a known problem of running very hot, and using a lot of power. AMD64's are the opposite, they use much less power and run nice and cool. They're also cheaper.

I made the switch from a P4(C) 2.8Ghz to an AMD64 3500+ a few months back and haven't a single regret. Very stable, and very fast, plus it's 64-bit compatible (unlike the P4) (although that doesn't count for much just yet unless you use Linux).

Rex_Mundi

Another big AMD fan here. I would only ever use AMD for building a new computer. I've never had a problem with overheating with these CPUs.

Much better CPUs (certainly better for gaming computers) IMO.

Loobeylou

Mr Wolfman, many thanks for your very helpful response.

However, 'scuse the ignorance, but what is Linux?

wolfman

In simple terms, it's an open source (free) operating system. Similar to Windows, but developed by the community (geeks, companies etc...) instead of Microsoft and is free to use, unlike Windows.

blinky

Nowt wrong with AMD processors, particularly the 64 bit and 64 bit based* Semprons/

Wolfman is spot on.

Some people swear that Hyperthreading on the P4 helps when running lots of apps at once.

For the newer dual core processors the AMD X2 are better than the Pentium D's but are more expensive.


One the Athlon (XP) processors the most common problem was people damaging the chip when placing on the heatsink (now gone back to heatspreaders for the 64 bit chips so no longer an issue).

Loobeylou

Anyone else with further thoughts on this?

michaels

Check out the forums at hexus.net for much more info but currently AMD processors are rated as much better per £ cost than intel pentium ones. Thay also run cooler than pentiums. In the post above san-diego chips are mentioned but there is also a socket 939 'venice' chip which is slightly cheaper and also recommended, it reploaced the 'winchester' one.

Joe_Bloggs

Intel are very big business AMD are small 'almost' non profit making intel offshoot. They can freely use each others designs. AMD are thought to have a technological lead at present. AMD are suing intel claiming unfair subsidies for PC manufacturers using intel only processors.
This is all 'marchitechture' as the development tools/ software lags behind the hardware by several years.
Intel chose to chase the mega Hertz clock figure with the P4 and they found thermal problems. AMD were more pragmatic and went for something that could do the same job as intel but at a lower clockspeed, that saved energy and minimised heat production. This thermal problem was compounded when it became possible to put two micro-processors onto the same chip. No one wants to be second best so there is still competition to innovate and keep a technological lead.
J_B. (The hard work in games is done by the graphics card. )

wolfman

michaels wrote:

Check out the forums at hexus.net for much more info but currently AMD processors are rated as much better per £ cost than intel pentium ones. Thay also run cooler than pentiums. In the post above san-diego chips are mentioned but there is also a socket 939 'venice' chip which is slightly cheaper and also recommended, it reploaced the 'winchester' one.

Oops, yeah, thanks. Knew it wasn't quite right. I think the San Diego core is usually found with higher end cpu's, like 3700+ and up.

The Venice core is the one to go for, not a huge difference over the Winchester core but better for overclocking and slightly better memory management I believe.

Rikki

I know nothing about computers and when I bought my first computer nearly a year ago.
I bought the best I could afford within my budget. Its a AMD Athlon tm64. processor 3400+. Is this a good computer?