Clarkdale i3 vs Athlon II X3

[21stHermit]

Here's a comparison of Core i3 + H55 vs. Athlon II X3 + 785G with a few benchmarks to add interest. Not totally clear which Clarkdale i3 is used here, my guess the Pentium G6950 based on the clock speed.

Would seem a triple core CPU would have an inherent advantage over a dual core in multi-threaded applications. Don't know enough about the 785G IGP to comment.

Here's a link to the entire article.

 

[jones377]

The i3 comes pretty close though, despite the small clock speed deficit. But I think the real killer will be performance/watt in both idle and full load. I expect full domination here for the i3. IGP performance, no surprise there.

 

[cbn]

Here's a comparison of Core i3 + H55 vs. Athlon II X3 + 785G with a few benchmarks to add interest. Not totally clear which Clarkdale i3 is used here, my guess the Pentium G6950 based on the clock speed.

Would seem a triple core CPU would have an inherent advantage over a dual core in multi-threaded applications. Don't know enough about the 785G IGP to comment.

Here's a link to the entire article.

2.9 GHz triple core vs 2.8 Ghz dual core (without HT), but how much are IGP differences factoring into Gameplay FPS?

 

[21stHermit]

2.9 GHz triple core vs 2.8 Ghz dual core (without HT), but how much are IGP differences factoring into Gameplay FPS?

We're not looking for more question here, rather answers.

I believe these two CPUs were selected for cost, both <$100. Clearly not cores or GHz.

 

[cbn]

We're not looking for more question here, rather answers.

I believe these two CPUs were selected for cost, both <$100. Clearly not cores or GHz.

The reason I am asking is because I would be using either one of those $87 CPUs with a discrete video card.

 

[Zensal]

2.9 GHz triple core vs 2.8 Ghz dual core (without HT), but how much are IGP differences factoring into Gameplay FPS?

A lot. Though really neither of these CPUs will hold back your gaming machine.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/balanced-gaming-pc,2477.html

That's an article from Tom's that talks about balance. Their are very few instances where a good graphics card will be held back by a low end cpu.

This would further be negated if you overclock.

I'm currently running an E5200 @ 3.7GHz and it preforms most tasks on par with a stock Q6600 or so.

 

[IntelUser2000]

Guys, it says on the test system specs that its a Core i3 520. It has Hyperthreading.

As for the IGP, its still not final.

 

[cbn]

Guys, it says on the test system specs that its a Core i3 520. It has Hyperthreading.

As for the IGP, its still not final.

http://en.inpai.com.cn/doc/enshowcont.asp?id=7464&pageid=6359

Here is another review of Core i3 "520" vs E7400.

 

[21stHermit]

http://en.inpai.com.cn/doc/enshowcont.asp?id=7464&pageid=6359

Here is another review of Core i3 "520" vs E7400.

One disturbing result from the above review was power consumption, significant increases across the board. Hopefully related to the ECS MB and not inherent in Clarkdale. Clearly something to watch as the NDA's are lifted, I'm hoping Monday, 12-28.

 

[toyota]

nevermind

 

[daveybrat]

AMD's new Athlon II X3's and X4 cpu's have really been AMD's shining stars lately. I've sold a lot of computer's based on these cpu's lately with 785 based motherboards.

Very fast systems and good graphics for most people (not gamers). Intel still rules the high-end market for sure, but AMD definitely has the best budget cpu's IMO.

 

[aamsel]

One disturbing result from the above review was power consumption, significant increases across the board. Hopefully related to the ECS MB and not inherent in Clarkdale. Clearly something to watch as the NDA's are lifted, I'm hoping Monday, 12-28.

I think the NDA's are likely to be kept in force until CES, on January 7th.
That's when we are going to get the real dope on what Clarkdale can or can not do.

 

[zsdersw]

but AMD definitely has the best budget cpu's IMO.

Performance per dollar per watt, even on the budget end, isn't always in AMD's favor.

 

[Prakash]

http://en.inpai.com.cn/doc/enshowcont.asp?id=7475

This time its between Corei3 530 and AthlonII x4 620

 

[cbn]

http://en.inpai.com.cn/doc/enshowcont.asp?id=7475

This time its between Corei3 530 and AthlonII x4 620

I am amazed Core i3 530 comes that close to Athlon II x4 in Left 4 Dead 2! (using HD4870 with both CPUs).

Left 4 Dead 2 scales 50&#37; with a quad core.

 

[lopri]

I see Cinebench score 8800-ish from the linked bench. If that's really without HT (and @2.8 GHz), the performance improvement seems very real. I get that number with an E8400 @3.6 GHz, so that's almost 30% IPC improvement for two threads and possibly 15%+ for single threaded performance. This CPU would be fantastic had it not been baggaged w/ GMA.

Performance per dollar per watt, even on the budget end, isn't always in AMD's favor.

Meaningless statement. You could say:

Performance per dollar per watt, even on the budget end, isn't always in Intel's favor.
Performance per dollar per watt, even on the high end, isn't always in AMD's favor.
Performance per dollar per watt, even on the high end, isn't always in Intel's favor.

And you may not be wrong on any count. It's not just about performance, either. You can't make something that doesn't work, work. (Talking about G35/G45) And I'm speaking from experience.

 

[21stHermit]

This CPU would be fantastic had it not been baggaged w/ GMA.

Why is this an issue? IFAIK, all of these Clarkdale's will work with discrete graphics and their cost is below E8x00's with lesser performance. I believe that the memory controller built into the IGP is a major reason for the improved performance. Seems you can't lose.

 

[Eeqmcsq]

I see Cinebench score 8800-ish from the linked bench. If that's really without HT (and @2.8 GHz), the performance improvement seems very real. I get that number with an E8400 @3.6 GHz, so that's almost 30% IPC improvement for two threads and possibly 15%+ for single threaded performance. This CPU would be fantastic had it not been baggaged w/ GMA.

Assuming you're looking at the results of the Core i3 vs Athlon II X3 test, the test description does say that the Core i3 is running at 2.8GHz, but it does have HT for a total of 4 threads.

 

[lopri]

Why is this an issue? IFAIK, all of these Clarkdale's will work with discrete graphics and their cost is below E8x00's with lesser performance.

Well, in that circumstance I'd rather get an i5-750 ($200) or a 955 BE ($160).

 

[zsdersw]

Meaningless statement. You could say:

Performance per dollar per watt, even on the budget end, isn't always in Intel's favor.
Performance per dollar per watt, even on the high end, isn't always in AMD's favor.
Performance per dollar per watt, even on the high end, isn't always in Intel's favor.

And you may not be wrong on any count. It's not just about performance, either. You can't make something that doesn't work, work. (Talking about G35/G45) And I'm speaking from experience.

No it's not. The person I was responding to was implying that AMD is always better in the budget end.. which it isn't.

What doesn't work, exactly, about G35/45? Does it just not function at all? Does it not function adequately for a majority of users? Or does it not function adequately for your uses and needs?

 

[lopri]

http://software.intel.com/en-us/blogs/2008/08/14/welcome-to-g45-better-but-still-imperfect/

That's from an Intel engineer. Now from me:

• 2560x1600? Doesn't work (G35/G45)
• 1920x1200? As soon as you start playing a HD video clip, Windows Aero becomes jerky and laggy. (G35)
• Output to a few year old Sony 1080i via HDMI? No display at all (G35/G45)
• Output to a brand new Samsung 1080p through a few year old Panasonic receiver, via HDMI? No display at all (G35/G45)
• Output to the above Samsung 1080p via direct HDMI? Fuzzy mess. (G35) Plays some Blu-Ray titles but not others (G45)
• 1080p/24 (a.k.a. 3:2 Pull-down)? Doesn't work (G35), Works on and off w/ audio sync issue depending on titles, drivers, and software (G45). Forget rewinding or fast-fowarding.
• WarCraft 3 @1280x1020? Below 10FPS. Equivalent offerings from AMD/NV handle it flawlessly (60FPS) with medium details.

Equivalent offerings from AMD/NV = 780G and 8500GT (which has almost the same spec as 9400m). While I didn't do side-by-side tests, I don't recall any of the above using 780G and 8500GT.

So IMO G35 is basically a glorified RAMDAC, and while G45 improved on it you're still at the mercy of Intel's drivers for your display to be recognized and your titles to be watchable. Are you really not aware of shortcomings of Intel IGPs? Or do you think 'majority of users' would/should be happy with Winodows XP-like desktop and 480p video in 2009? Add to that ever-increasing popularity of Flash video, G35/G45 is completely useless, IMO. I sincerely hope Intel will have fixed all these issues on the new platform.

 

[cbn]

Speaking of onboard graphics I wonder what AMD will put on the upcoming RD8xxx boards?

They make some pretty nice products in this category (the upcoming Llano GPU IGP is supposed to contain 480 stream processors).

 

[Nemesis 1]

So 2 weeks we get to see anands review. Thats going to be cool especially with the replies in this thread . Watch you guys don't step on your selves.

 

[Nemesis 1]

I see Cinebench score 8800-ish from the linked bench. If that's really without HT (and @2.8 GHz), the performance improvement seems very real. I get that number with an E8400 @3.6 GHz, so that's almost 30&#37; IPC improvement for two threads and possibly 15%+ for single threaded performance. This CPU would be fantastic had it not been baggaged w/ GMA.


Meaningless statement. You could say:

Performance per dollar per watt, even on the budget end, isn't always in Intel's favor.
Performance per dollar per watt, even on the high end, isn't always in AMD's favor.
Performance per dollar per watt, even on the high end, isn't always in Intel's favor.

And you may not be wrong on any count. It's not just about performance, either. You can't make something that doesn't work, work. (Talking about G35/G45) And I'm speaking from experience.

So very true. I got 4 PC in this room All but this one are Highend . That includes the 32nm 2 core.

With that for the internet I still using the P4c and AGP . As my wife found out the other night for the internet this is really all I need . She was rather sirprized by its performance . Even tho she new it was a record holder for a very longtime. But alast I am going to give this PC to my grandson to goof with. The child in the Avatar. I am liking clarksdale better than anything we have here . I really don't like this review much but what the Hay Anand will set the record straight in 2 weeks . Og that Iam positive . Its not faith or hunch its the knowing.

 

[IntelUser2000]

*snip* That's from an Intel ...g CD drivers or something. It's not THAT bad.