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Performance Deltas between Two Microprocessor Designs: The Intel - AMD Divergence Written by: Chris Gervais
Raysr’s EDGE Computing 100 Second Ave. Coniston, Ontario, Canada P0M 1M0 1-705-694-2000 http://www.reccomputers.com
There are many factors that influence the apparent speed of a computer when it performs a certain task, such as playing a movie, rendering an image or analysing DNA. While the processor, or “brain”, of the computer is responsible for the raw calculations, there are also the drives, video and sound cards as well as the mice, printers, monitors and anything else connected to the computer that translate these raw calculations into a format that humans can see, feel, hear and even smell. Each of these pieces fit together to make up a computer, a complex system of different technologies that work together to perform a task for the user. This is why the staff at Raysr’s EDGE Computers, as well as a stable of industry leaders including AMD, Transmeta, VIA and other multi-billion dollar companies believe that the clock speed, measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz), is not the sole metric in determining the performance of a processor, nor that of a computer in general. How well the processor can communicate with the rest of the computer is also important. And since technology runs along at such a furious pace, “upgrade-ability” is needed to keep a modern computer at it’s best. To properly determine the performance of a processor in a manner that is as objective as possible, two factors must be examined: the microprocessor’s clock speed AND the number of instructions it decodes per clock cycle (IPC); its efficiency. The formula to determine a processor’s objective performance is therefore: Performance = clock speed x IPC
Let’s examine the following scenario: Bob and Frank both work at a post office. Bob works eight hours in a day, whereas Frank only works six hours. Using Intel’s system of measuring performance, we would determine that Bob is the better employee, since he works more hours. In fact, we can even calculate that Bob is a better employee by 2 hours a day, or xx percent. However, Bob can only sort 1000 letters in an hour, whereas Frank can sort 1500 letters per hour. Using AMD’s performance measurement system, Bob sorts 8000 letters per day (8 x 1000), but Frank can sort 9000 letters in a day of work (6 x 1500). So the question remains, which would you, rather have working for your company, Bob or Frank? Worse, can you accept a Human Resources department that tells you Bob is the better worker? This is exactly the situation with modern microprocessors. Another factor to the overall performance of a computer is how well each part works together. Intel insists on increasing the rate at which the processor “talks” to the memory, video card, and other peripherals, otherwise known as the Front side Bus speed (FSB). The only problem is that these parts of the computer can’t “talk back” as fast as the processor. Since the computer is only as fast as the slowest component, the processor has to wait for the rest of the system to “catch up” before it can continue its calculations. AMD, on the other hand, emphasises harmony between the various parts in a computer. If the processor “talks” to the memory at 400 MHz, the memory will “talk back” at the same speed. Consider this scenario: Four people are in a three-legged race as partners, two vs. two. There is an Olympic sprinter who has his grandmother for a partner, and two stock brokers form the other group. The Olympian can surely run much faster than the stock brokers if he were alone, but since he is tied, literally, to his grandmother, the two men from Bay Street will soon overtake him to win the race. Slow and steady, as they say. To keep the modern computer running at it’s best, it must be able to accept new technologies and developments as they arise. AMD has been fully supportive of its customer base by allowing them to use the same Athlon processor made in 1996 on its most modern platforms. Consumers have had an easy, gradual upgrade path from that year, through two different types of memory and at least 3 major processor architecture changes, all using the same “plug” for the processor. This is much preferable to Intel’s approach, which is to change sockets, or “plugs” every time technology advances a little. After eight years, since the introduction of the original Athlon, AMD is only now contemplating a new socket – for their 64 bit processor line – while Intel has gone through too many to remember. Imagine, having to change the wiring in your house or apartment every time you buy a new television, clock radio or table lamp!
Complete List of Processor Sockets by Manufacturer Since 1996 (Including desktop, workstation, mobile and server models) Courtesy of Raysr’s EDGE Computing
AMD Socket-5 Socket-7 Proprietary (BGA or OBGA) Slot-A Socket-A (Athlon, Duron, Athlon XP, Athlon 4 Mobile, Athlon MP) Socket-754 (Athlon 64) Socket-940 (Opteron)
Intel Socket-4 (Pentium, Pentium Overdrive) Socket-5 (Pentium, Pentium Overdrive) Socket-6 (unused) Socket-7 (Pentium, Pentium MMX) Socket-8 (Pentium Pro, Pentium II Overdrive) Slot-1 (SEC or SEP Cartridge) (Pentium II and III) Slot-2 (SEC Cartridge) BGA PGA Mini Cartridge Connector Mobile Module Connector 1 (MMC-1) Mobile Module Connector 2 (MMC-2) PGA370 (Pentium III) BGA2 PGA2 FCBGA-479 FCPGA-478 PGA-423 (Pentium 4) PGA-478 (Pentium 4) PGA-603 (Xeon)
With all this said and done The Technical IT Department here at Raysr’s EDGE Computing strongly recommends to anyone in the market for new computer equipment either being for Home, Small Office, Large Business or Industrial use to consider AMD based platform system(s) rather then the ever changing (Morphing) Intel based system.
Let’s face it, anyone sitting in front of a computer these days needs more speed, reliability, stability and upgradeability.
In closing: Don’t be fooled by the dominant processor manufacture Intel: Intel is the dominant company only for the fact they have an overly Marketed Processor Campaign for their inferior products, and along with these campaigns is sales and sales is everything for companies like DELL, HP, and others alike, and this is the only reason these companies build and sell systems based on the Intel platform, it is for the market share they bring along with them (Revenue), yes revenue is a key factor in all businesses today but should never come before quality, quality is a must…
AMD is confident about their products and don’t feel the need to deploy large Advertisement and Marketing campaigns, but I feel and wish they did so the general public could be informed and educated about the differences about the two companies.
Thank you: For your time from the Management, IT Department and staff at: Raysr’s EDGE Computing.
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