CPU noob here! Question about Operating frequency regaurding AMD and INTEL.

[xEDIT409]

Why is it that The top AMD processors run at a lower frequency than the top Intel processors, and yet they are still even or better?

I'm not well informed about AMD or Intel, but I went to newegg.com, and sorted INTEL processors and AMD processors by price and compared the speeds at which their most expensive processors ran.

The AMD was the Athlon 64 FX-55 @ 2.6 GHz and $835.99.
The Intel was the Pentium 4EE @ 3.73 GHz and $1067.00

 

[Phlargo]

Efficiency. As long as you're doing more during each clock cycle, you could have a CPU that was fewer is crystal oscilations and yet produce substantially faster FPU or ALU output.

Thank god you didn't just assume that the faster speed meant that the processor was faster. It's a trap I find so many people can't avoid.

 

[xEDIT409]

Originally posted by: Phlargo
Efficiency. As long as you're doing more during each clock cycle, you could have a CPU that was fewer is crystal oscilations and yet produce substantially faster FPU or ALU output.

Thank god you didn't just assume that the faster speed meant that the processor was faster. It's a trap I find so many people can't avoid.

Actually... I fell into that trap.

A year ago, when I was new to the PC Building scene, I ignorantly went with Intel thinking "faster is better." So I bought myself a Intel Pentium 3.2E HT. Besides the heat it provides for my house, I've have no problems with it, and I'm not dissatisfied at all, but it wasn't until later did I realize that maybe I should've gone with AMD.

Well, it was my first build, and now, I'm a bit more informed for next time!