Originally Posted by BOB IROC
There was a time where intel was the only CPU maker on the block that could deliver a CPU to the Consumers. AMD was and still is the underdog and it wasn't until the release of the Athlon that AMD delivered a product that could compete with Chipzilla. Now finally, AMD has a extremely good server product that can compete with Intel as well with others such as Alpha and Sparc. AMD delivers a product that has an overall better value for the money. My athlon 1800+ is a great performer on every task I have thrown at it. Gaming, business, video, and music apps all run great. There will always be benchmarks that Intel beats AMD and benchmarks that AMD beats Intel.
My problem with Intel is that they have chips with a high megahertz rating that the average consumer translates into performance. The truth is that Intels pipline is 30 - 40% longer than AMD so it takes longer per clock to get stuff done. I think they did this on purpose because making the pipline longer allows the megahertz to be ramped up. This intern confuses the average joe consumer into thinking that a chip performs better. Being a network administrator, I feel that I have the training and knowledge of building, repairing, and working on computers for 16 years to make this assesment.
Now that AMD has an affordable 64bit solution, intel is forced to copy it and from what I have seen, they are doing a poor job at it. Intel released the Itanium which is insanely expensive and doesn't run everyday apps without emulation which slows the chip down. AMD has had more innovative additions to their processors in recent years and that allows them to release a 64bit chip that runs current 32bit apps natively and integrating the memory controller into the chip helps with some of the bottlenecks.
Part of the reason Intel is so successful is because it bullies companies and OEMs into buying their products. They offer lower prices and threaten to raise them if they choose AMD to be used in their computers or in their companies. I have first hand experience as I once worked for gateway and the offered AMD for a short while but Intel threatened to raise their prices unless the dropped AMD. I have read the letters that Intel sent to Gateway and spoken to many Gateway Executives that confirmed this. Intel has been sued recently by companies for doing this. If you buy any processor, purchase a good motherboard (and other components) because 9 times outta 10 it isnt the processor that is causing your computers problems. With companies like SUN, IBM, and Microsoft backing AMD64, AMD will do just fine. Just for the record I will put any AMD machine up against a comparable Intel machine anyday. Not only will it perform just as good (and better in some areas) it will cost me less.
Just in case anyone thinks I am idiot, here are my qualifications. I am an A+, Network +, CNA, and CCNA certified IT professional that manages a network for a HighSchool. I am in charge of 800+ compters, servers, and other technology equipment. We use dell computer so, our AMD line is limited to stuff I have built, but I choose AMD and so do most of my friends and co-workers. Have a good day! :)