The Computer Buzz

August 17, 2006

Nome and Paul Van Middlesworth - owners - The Computer Factory
 

CPU Wars - Is Intel Finally Back?

Ten years ago Intel forced AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) to start designing its own CPUs. Until then, AMD manufactured CPUs under license from Intel. Under this arrangement AMD CPUs were slower but cheaper than Intel's.

Soon AMD began to close the performance gap. In 2000 when Intel replaced the aging Pentium III with the newer but slower Pentium IV, AMD surged ahead in performance and hasn't looked back.

AMD enhanced performance by constantly improving the CPU architecture. Intel clung stubbornly to the Pentium IV design attempting to improve performance by increasing the clock speed. With each increase in speed, energy consumption and heat dissipation problems also increased. Intel finally "hit the wall" at 3.8GHz and abandoned the "clock speed" strategy.

Intel's interim solution was to put two slower PIV "cores" on a single chip. The "D" or dual core CPUs didn't improve Intel's competitive position because AMD single and dual core products continued to dominate in performance. Now comes "Conroe."

Just released and not yet readily available, the "Conroe," aka "Core 2 Duo" and "Core 2 Extreme" is for real. Industry benchmark tests show the "Core 2 Extreme" with a 17% performance edge over AMD's fastest Athlon FX CPU. For the first time in a half dozen years, gamers and other power users can consider an Intel alternative.

"Core 2 Duo" should not be confused with cheaper and slower PIV dual core technology. The vast majority of Intel based PCs available on the Internet and in retail stores today still use the old PIV technology. For the under $1000 PC, AMD still rules the roost. For the next few months the new "Core 2 Duo" CPUs will be mainly of interest to gamers and other power users.

As "Conroe" technology begins to move into the mainstream. AMD will feel increasing pressure to regain performance leadership. Already both AMD and Intel have begun to slash prices on their standard CPU products.
Should PC shoppers hold off buying a new PC until the dust settles? For most home and business users the answer is no; 95% of users would see little or no improvement with "Conroe". Now is a great time to buy a new mainstream 64 bit PC. Consumer nervousness about the soon to be released Microsoft Vista 64 bit operating system, the new CPUs technology and the stagnant economy have pushed PC sales into the doldrums. The whole industry is cutting prices to stimulate sales.

If you are a "power user" it may be wise to wait a bit before jumping on the "Conroe" bandwagon. "Conroe" prices should drop by 50% over the next six months and although "Conroe" looks like a real winner, there are always a few "snakes in the brush" with any new CPU architecture. Already tests have found some "Conroe" features that are degraded when running 64-bit software. Buying early has risks, "you can always tell the pioneers by the arrows in their backs."