CPU question

[DoobieNaq23]

I am a total n00-B when it comes to building computers, so don't laugh too hard if this happens to be a stupid question. I am planning to fully upgrade my computer in the future and i am getting just a few things at a time (I have just ordered a new video card, NIC, more RAM, and a DVD burner). I know networking because I am an IT Student in networking, but I don't fool with the hardware side much. I am basically doing this just as a learning experience. Finally, my question, when i decide to upgrade my CPU I will also want to upgrade my motherboard, so should I pick a motherboard first and then pick a CPU, vise-versa, or should I go for a bundle package?

I think my current motherboard only has an interface speed of 4x and the video card I have ordered is 8X. Also my current CPU speed is 1.8GHz (which I am told is on the slower side, so that's why i am planning on changing it)

Also when I looked at the top end AMD the Ghz is only up to 2.4 and Pentium is over 3.0 Ghz (assuming faster is better) why would anyone want the AMD brand, in other words what is the pros and cons of the different brands in CPUs?

If I sound confused, it is because I am. I would really appriciate any help you people can throw my way.

 

[AristoV300]

Well not go into too much detail but Intel goes for high core speed as were AMD goes with better quality at lower core speed. I would suggest you first figure whether you want to go AMD or Intel and then figure on what CPU you are looking for. Then find the best mobo that supports the CPU.

 

[FullRoast]

Hi DoobieNaq23 -

I'd suggest doing a lot of reading on the hardware sites, such as anandtech.com and others. Great way to learn more about cpu's , motherboards, systems, and what's what.

AristoV300 hit one of your questions. The internal architecture of the AMD processors is different from Intel and can get more work done at a lower clock rate. I am using an Intel 3.0 GHz P4 on my main computer now, but I would gladly switch to a new 2.4 GHz AMD Athlon 64 (3500, 939 pin variety) if they weren't so expensive. The AMD Athlon 64 3500 runs most games and apps faster than the 3.0 GHz Intel.

When I build a new system or upgrade, I look at the best CPU for the money (which is never the newest, fastest one) and look for the best chipset/motherboard available to support the CPU. I'm not out to overclock a system to the max, but there are some sweet spots, like the 2.4 - 2.8 GHz Intel Northwood P4's, that are easy to overclock and give you a faster performing system for the money. Even if you don't overclock, there are good CPU price/performance sweet spots that influence your choice. On the other hand, occasionally, it's hard to resist the urge to get the latest and greatest. The lead edge is very short lived, but fun to be at while it lasts.

Good luck and have fun. Ask questions.

 

[StrangerGuy]

Originally posted by: DoobieNaq23

Also when I looked at the top end AMD the Ghz is only up to 2.4 and Pentium is over 3.0 Ghz (assuming faster is better) why would anyone want the AMD brand, in other words what is the pros and cons of the different brands in CPUs?

.

There is also very important factor to take into consideration other than just raw CPU clock speed to determine processor performance, and that is efficiency.

Although the P4 can have a clock frequency as high as 3.4GHz, but a Athlon 64 at 2.2GHz can still manage to match or even beat the P4 in many real-world benchmarks. Why is this so?

This is where efficiency comes in. We assume the 3.4GHz P4 can execute one instruction per clock cycle.

Thus the 3.4GHz P4 can execute 3.4 billion * 1 = 3.4 billion instructions per second.

Here enters our 2.2GHz Athlon 64. Due to the fact the A64 is based on much more efficient processor core than the P4 core, it can execute 1.6 instructions per clock cycle.

So the 2.2GHz A64 can execute 2.2 billion * 1.6 = 3.5 billion instructions per second.

Despite the A64 having a severe clock disadvantage, its efficiency more than makes up for its clock speed deficiency.

The numbers I mentioned here aren't real of course and overall CPU performance depends on many more factors but hopefully my post can give you a better idea of CPU performance.