That’s a GREAT question!  It’s up for debate by many.  What will be said here is MY OPINION only.

Generally speaking, I prefer AMD over Intel.  I find that for most users, you seem to get MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK with AMD.  Now granted that this issue will be debated both ways…  Some people will always prefer Intel and some will always prefer AMD…

USE AMD: For general home use.  I think that AMD is best for multimedia, gaming, graphics and music.  The AMD Athlon 64 is the best choice in performance.

USE Intel: For business or SERVER use.  I think that Intel is best platform for business functions.  If you are running a file server, database server or website off of your computer…  I think that INTEL conforms best for these functions.  For any other use, GO AMD all the way!

What platforms are there???

AMD has several platforms to choose from.  You may be aware of some of these, so let’s break them down:

AMD Duron: This processor is pretty much out of date.  For basic things, it will still get you by today.  The processor has either a 200MHz or 266MHz Front Side Bus (FSB).  The biggest DISADVANTAGE to the Duron is it’s small cache memory.  AMD Duron is available is Socket 462-pin (Socket A.)

AMD Athlon XP: This processor is pretty much out of date too, however…  there are some HYBRID models available on the market today which take advantage of the BARTON core.  The BARTON core was the FLAGSHIP of its’ time.  BARTON is a 512K Cache core.  Cache memory does MAKE a big difference in overall performance.  The AMD Athlon XP has a 266MHz, 333MHz or 400MHz FSB.  AMD Athlon XP is available is Socket 462-Pin (Socket A) and HYBRID models Socket 754-Pin utilizing a 800MHz FSB.

AMD Sempron: A hybrid between a Athlon XP and a Athlon 64.  I would only suggest AMD Sempron in Socket 754 or Socket AM2 platforms which utilize the HYPER-TRANSPORT SYSTEM BUS.  Avoid the Socket A platform.  Biggest DISADVANGE: Cache memory.  Biggest ADVANTAGE: HT SUPPORT and with Socket AM2, DDR2 support.

AMD Athlon 64: This processor is fairly NEW and up-to-date with today’s standards.  The biggest thing to see with the AMD Athlon 64 is 64Bit support.  Of course, one will not utilize 64Bit support unless you use a 64Bit Operating System.  On the other hand, the AMD Athlon 64 still has AT LEAST a 512K Cache core, the same as the Athlon XP Barton.  Some models have a 1MB Cache too!  I think the BIGGEST ADVANTAGE is something called HYPER-TRANSPORT.  This should NOT be confused with HYPER-THREADING from intel.  HYPER-TRANSPORT from AMD has to do with the SYSTEM BUS of the motherboard.  Don’t be confused, SYSTEM BUS is different that FRONT SIDE BUS.  1600MHz (Socket 754) and 2000MHz (Socket 939 and AM2) is the SYSTEM BUS for AMD motherboards.  The SYSTEM BUS is the overall BANDWIDTH between components on the motherboard.  In other words, how all of your components talk to each other.

AMD Athlon X2: Well the name says it all.  X2 or TIMES TWO.  This is a DUAL-CORE processor.  What does that mean???  Basically, two processors in ONE chip!  All the advantages to Athlon 64, plus DOUBLE the work load.

Things to consider in the AMD platforms…  MEMORY.

Both Socket 462 and Socket 754 will only use Traditional DDR memory and will not take advantage of DUAL-CHANNEL design.

Socket 939 platforms will utilize DUAL-CHANNEL support which doubles the BANDWIDTH of memory to the SYSTEM BUS when putting the memory into MATCHING PAIRS.

Socket AM2 platforms utilize more advanced DDR2 memory which can run up to DOUBLE the operating speed of traditional DDR memory.

NOW INTEL:

Original Celeron: In my opinion, not a very good processor at all.  |
It had 128K cache, just like the Duron.  Slow 400MHz FSB.

Celeron D: Better, faster 533MHz FSB.  Double the cache memory of original Celeron at 256K.  NEW MODELS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE in 512K Cache!!!  The new 512K Cache models are definitely decent.  If you are going to choose ANY INTEL platform that is COST EFFECTIVE, get the 512K models.

Pentium 4: Well the biggest factor with a P4 is the cache memory.  Most P4’s have 512K or more.  P4’s utilizes a 533MHz / 800MHz / 1066MHz FSB in today’s latest models.  If you are going to get a P4 in Socket 478-Pin, get one with HYPER-THREADING technology.  I like to think of HYPER-THREADING technology as 1+1/2 CPU’s.  There is ONE LOGICAL and ONE PHYSICAL processor seen by Windows with HT enabled Pentium’s.  Socket 775 is by far the best platform.  Socket 775 will allow for Dual Core, DDR2 and Core2 Duo support with MOST motherboards in that format.

Core2 Duo: Definitely fast, some say that it’s faster than the AMD X2.  As I am a AMD fan, I still prefer AMD…  but definitely would not say that I would NOT buy one of these.  Has a large 2MB or 4MB shared cache memory and that’s the BIGGEST WOW factor for me.

This information was written by James A. Pavicic, Jr.  The information provided in this document is for informational and reference purposes only.  The information is provided “AS-IS” and is not guaranteed nor indorsed by PC Market Inc.  ©2006.