Curse

Lord Sojar · Feb 25, 2007, 03:33 PM // 15:33

LOL @ this thread. Umm... without going too far into this...

First off, the Quad core Intel is remarkable. The reason for its poor performance is the lack of parallel compilers on the market, which means that we don't use the CPUs at all really. Even dual cores currently are not being used to full capacity and are actually inefficient. Why? The TOTAL LACK of Parallel thread support.

Trust me on this guys, I build design these things for a living. These are not shortcomings of the CPU design, they are shortcomings of the software/execution set designs. If they were optimized, we would see around a 53-78% (actual lab data) increase in performance. Why are they not using parallel threaded software? EXPENSE! Current compilers lack the functionality and power to EFFICIENTLY compile complex multi threaded paralleled and synced programs. It takes too much time and too much effort right now, and as a result, it holds the CPUs back. The only real advantage you will see from a dual/quad/octacore designs is purely in a server bound high RAM environment. Besides that, the REAL performance gain is minimal at best.

As for the AMD vs Intel debate... I can't really comment seeing as how if I do, AMD could get me for slander or advertising without license, so... I won't go there. AMD does have excellent price points however, in direct competition with our current offerings.

EDIT> In retrospect, I looked back at EasyG's replies. EasyG, you cannot assume ANYTHING about a company, don't ever make that mistake. Intel made the mistake to underestimate AMD once, and history repeats itself. Now, over my dead body am I going to let AMD out engineer me, but... you get the point. AMD has always been good at playing underdog and staying alive. The reason their stock is down btw, is NOT because they are not doing well as a company, it is due to the MASSIVE debt they have incurred. They purchased ATi for more then twice their COH (Cash on Hand), and then they proceeded to, in the same period, begin construction of the 3rd most expensive manufacturing plant in the world in New York state... When you are in debt, your stock goes down. Intel's stock dipped very low for a while, but they came back. Don't ever assume that a company will go under because of its share prices. Apple is a great example! I will let you do your own research on them, but that is just ONE OF MANY examples. Hope that clears it up a bit for ya!

Lonesamurai · Feb 25, 2007, 03:56 PM // 15:56

Rahja is bang on (and its so nice to read posts by someone who actually knows what they are talking about on here)

but yeah, just keep an eye on what AMD have got cooking on teh stove this year and early 2008, however, if you really need to get a new system right now, then personally I'd go for an nvidia chipset for an AMD AM2 X2, but thats my personal choice (and what i price up for my friends when I build for them)