[AYTRIX Technologies]

Better late than never so finanlly AMD have released an AMD Quad Core Procesor along with their new Spider technology to try and compete against the Market Supremecy of Intel. In such a hughly contested market you would think that AMD would have released a version MUCH earlier having prototyped the Quad Core BEFORE Intel but with Intel producing the first Desktop PC Model that worked well without compatibilty Issues.

To test the Phenom quality i got together some of my team and test the following CPU's against each other and though i would postthe results here for people.

The processors we used are:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 skt AM2 3600+ (1.9Gz)
Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 LGA775 (1.8Ghz)
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 LGA775 (2.4Ghz)
AMD Phenom 9500 Skt AM2 (2.2Ghz)


we were more interested on the CPU's as a general day to day usage for Desktop but did trial some of the CPU's with some games which are mentioned with the CPU.


Firstly the AMD Athlon 64 X2
This is basically AMD's answer to the Intel Core Duo and MUCH Cheaper. We found this CPU on the NET for £38.06 (inc VAT) @ www.techstore.co.uk.
It uses a Windso Core with 2 x L1=128Kb & 2x L2=512Kb. THis was a pretty good all-round performance CPU but STRUGGLED with power efficiency. Not an ideal candiate for gaming either as it stuggled to run Crysis properly.
Best deal on this is the 5200+ Black Edition which can be found @ www.scan.co.uk for £74.14 (inc vat).

While we were very happy with the perfomance energy was a no-no. We recommend the 5200+ Black Edition BUT only if you are on a tight budget.
for example our system with the Athlon 3600+ used MORE POWER than the Core 2 Duo. And of course for those want a bit more juice out of their CPU's the 5000+ is easily matched by the Intel E4600 which, while we did not test this CPU, should be MORE power efficent AND more overclockable.


Second The Intel Core 2 Duo E4300
Best price for this CPU we found was £72.84 @ www.scan.co.uk but to be honest you can skip this one and get the nxt model at www.advancetec.co.uk got only £69.33.

Wot can i say about this CPU othe than i wish i had more. This CPU was bought to test along side the AMD Athlon CPU where we um well actuall there is no competition. This CPU was power-effiecient, GREAT all round performance and wait ... wait ... OH SO MUCH OVERCLOCKINH HEADROOM.

just beware some of the modesl are a little overprice such e.g. if you are not really into gaming then why bother getting the E6320 which we found @ www.scan.co.uk for £102.65 when you could get the E4600+ @ www.scan.co.uk for £85.76 which while having a lower FSB does have more processing power.


Thirdly Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 LGA775
We chose this one because the Q6700 version is WAY over priced. we paid £165.85 for this @ www.scan.co.uk.

the reason why these CPU's are so successful and sp great is because they are LITERALLY two Dual Core CPU's sandwhich together though be careful they SHARE the 2x L2 4Mb Cache and none of the cores can get the full 8Mb Cache. However, the Q6600 is actually a pretty good price for a Quad Core which has focred the Core 2 Duos into mainstream CPU's. the most expensive Core 2 Duo we found was the E6850 for £164.37 @ www.scan.co.uk so really for an extra £1 you can get a Quad Core even if the Cores themselves are a bit slower.

We used this CPU as a direct comparison for the AMD Phenom and strangely enough it proved signigicantly faster IN EVERY ASPECT. We tested Crysis, and Far Cry on this CPU with 2 GB RAM. Oh so much fun!!!! Now THIS is a gaming Core. We didn't even need to overclock it for gaming but of course this CPU has SO much overlcocking potential.


and Lastly AMD Phenom 9500 Skt AM2 (2.2Ghz)
This is the main reason why we decided to do this test as we were suprised that they did not produce a Quad Core earlier. The MAIN difference between this CPU and the Intel Q6600 is where as the Q6600 is essentialy TWO Core 2 Duos the AMD version is made from a SINGLE die meaning that the Phenom has the potential to be MORE powerful than the Intel Counterparts. problem with this is if a core goes wrong in production with an AMD then the whole die has to be thrown out. This means it is more expensive to produce and it shows in the price of the one we bough @ www.scan.co.uk for £158.50. It is slower less power-efficient and less overclockable. The potential is there but it has not quite hit it.


CONLCUSION
If you are after a gaming rig then really the Q6600 is by far the best CPU and if you are on a budget then the Intel Core 2 Duo is a perfect CPU. It seems that the AMD is lagging now in the market and mostly ideal for those people on EXTREME budgets or who simply want a desktop unit for office use and browsing the net.

We are going to look at the New AMD Athlong FX7 Series next so watch this space. Thanks for reading guys and any comments would be appreiated.

note: prices correct as of date uploaded 30-1-08


James
AYTRIX Technologies

[Daveskater]

Very good post mate, sticky-worthy I reckon, as it could help people choose what to go for.

[AYTRIX Technologies]

thanks but i must note do NOT do this yourself unless you have few hundred pounds to spare lol cost a lot for the CPUs

[Daveskater]

It does indeed cost a lot mate, unfortunately CPU's aren't as cheap as memory chips yet £3 for a 1GB flash drive? Yes, please