THG new review

[Hacp]

So are you saying that even with a 2.8 GHZ pentium d, nothing but water should be cooling the processor?

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: Viditor

Originally posted by: Sentential
Also besides some flukes, in terms of stability Intel is marginally ahead. Even dispite how badly THG botched it and made it appear. On that note I gotta be honest the more I play with both systems, the more they appear to be about the same.

Ahhh stability...that old chestnut!
Let's look at the whats and wherefores of system stability...

1. Firstly, we need to remember that we are talking about system stability. If you looked at just the CPU, you would have to give AMD the nod on stability based on heat alone (the higher the heat, the lower the stability).
2. Second, many folks are of the opinion that Intel is more stable because they manufacture their own mobos, chipsets, etc... while AMD must rely on 3rd parties.
The fact is that both of these aren't quite true... Intel has a large number of the Intel branded mobos manufactured by Foxcomm (just as Asus has had some of their cheaper mobos made by PC Chips). Despite what it says on the label, it's near impossible to know who really made the mobo unless you're on the inside.
As to chipsets, I'm sure it will surprise many that AMD is actually one of the largest manufacturers of AMD chipsets... If you look at server boards for example, nearly ALL of them are at least partially AMD chipsets.
Just as Intel has engineers checking the Foxcomm made mobos, AMD has engineers in place at the 3rd party chipset manufacturers.
3. Intel has a reputation for stability that they have earned over many decades. Whether it is as true today as it was then is irrelevant...the perception of stability is probably just as critical as the actual stability itself!

All in all from a technical viewpoint, I would say that AMD probably has the more stable platform...if for no other reason than the far lower heat levels inside.

I have a problem with number one. I'll let you know about two and three later.
Where did you get the idea of "the higher the heat, the lower the stability" ??.
You all say that the Intel is hot, but it's only relatively hot compared to the AMD. As you have seen, the Intel, with proper fan, can run days on end at full load at 70C. Sure it's hot, but compared to what? AMD? Different architectures. You can't compare heat any more than you can compare the stages in the pipeline for each chip. Unless you can show me that an intel system crashed due to heat (other than poor cooling like these goons at THG did originally) then I have a problem with your statement.

 

[Duvie]

OK back home afte a long day....

So how do I leave after a few hours and intel i srunning 36 fps and AMD 34 and INtel already has several run lead, to see this...NOw Intel has 27fps...What is with this intel system??? it always seem to crash in terms of fps several hours into the test...it has done this repeatedly in the test..averaging 34-36 and holding close to AMD to fall back down to 27fps...I mean what else could this be but some time of throttling...I can see perormance all of sudden changing so drastically unless this is a product of HT is messing with the scheduler as well...

 

[justly]

Duvie, I have to give you credit for your continuing effort to make sense out of this fiasco.

Given how many times the test, and hardware has been altered I seriously doubt any thing else could be proven by following THGs botched test. Just in case I am wrong and you can prove something else more power to you, and good luck.

 

[Viditor]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
I have a problem with number one. I'll let you know about two and three later.
Where did you get the idea of "the higher the heat, the lower the stability" ??.
You all say that the Intel is hot, but it's only relatively hot compared to the AMD. As you have seen, the Intel, with proper fan, can run days on end at full load at 70C. Sure it's hot, but compared to what? AMD? Different architectures. You can't compare heat any more than you can compare the stages in the pipeline for each chip. Unless you can show me that an intel system crashed due to heat (other than poor cooling like these goons at THG did originally) then I have a problem with your statement.

From an engineering standpoint, heat is bad...period. While it can be made manageable through cooling over the short-term, it is an engineering and chemical fact that the internal heat of the CPU will ALWAYS shorten it's lifespan.
We aren't talking over a period of days, but certainly over a period of months or years.
Remember that the whole premise of the question was based on RELATIVE stability, so in this case you are correct in that it's only relative to AMD...

 

[AnandThenMan]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Where did you get the idea of "the higher the heat, the lower the stability" ??.
You all say that the Intel is hot, but it's only relatively hot compared to the AMD. As you have seen, the Intel, with proper fan, can run days on end at full load at 70C. Sure it's hot, but compared to what? AMD? Different architectures. You can't compare heat any more than you can compare the stages in the pipeline for each chip. Unless you can show me that an intel system crashed due to heat (other than poor cooling like these goons at THG did originally) then I have a problem with your statement.

I don't see how you can attempt to claim that a)heat output is akin to architecural differences and b)heat will not lower stability.

Heat is a major, major factor in long term stability. We are not talking about a few days or weeks. Pretty much anything can be made to run continuously short term. But what about the space of 6 months, or a year, or 3 years? Excessive heat drastically shortens the life of everything, especially any components with liquid or semi-solids in them like capacitors. Voltage regulators have a much shorter life span when run at their limits. Components dry out and do fail from heat all the time. Heat will also take it's toll on the fans, on the hard drives, optical drives etc. the list is long.

Like I've said before, Intel can get away with the run away heat problem for home users, but for servers forget it. It would most likely be next to impossible to cool a room full of Prescott D's. IMO Intel should be shot for even attempting to bring out a chip with this kind of heat output, it's pathetic.

 

[AnandThenMan]

THG has managed to overclock the X2 all the way to 6 ghz.

edit: oops wrong url

 

[imported_Frallan]

Originally posted by: AnandThenMan
THG has managed to overclock the X2 all the way to 6 ghz.

edit: oops wrong url

ROFL!!!! 😀

 

[RoosterKooster]

And they did it w/o jacking up the voltage! Damn they're performing at a unique level of competence[/b]!

 

[Duvie]

Does anybody want to address what appears to happen to the iNtel system EVERYTIME with the Farcry benchmark?? I mean everytime it starts out fast and then tanks near the end and usually ends up about 26-27fps...Once again it lead or was equal for about 1/2 of the test then tanked....

What is doing this???