CPU Shootout: August 2007 Update
After [the last post][1] about Intel vs. AMD in Australian prices, the battle has raged on for control of your CPU slot. Both sides have made price cuts and Intel has actually released a complete line of updated processors. Does this change anything?
The first thing that jumps to mind is that Intel and AMd now have processors competing at the exact same price so comparisons are easy! The updated Intel processors feature improved clock speeds and faster front-side buses so overall performance will be (marginally) better. The thermal output hasn't changed for them either.
Let's cut the small talk and jump straight to the table shall we? (Prices are from MSY as per last time.)
| Athlon64 X2 6000+ | Core 2 Duo E6550 | Core 2 Quad Q6600 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $215 | $215 | $335 |
| Frequency | 3GHz | 2.3GHz | 2.4GHz |
| Cache | 2MB | 4MB | 2 x 4MB |
| TDP | 125W | 65W | 95W |
| FSB | 2000MHz (HT) | 1333MHz | 1066MHz |
Now, please, pick your jaws up off the floor. I included the quad-core processor so you could see just how cheap Intel is making some of these chips – they're quite affordable now! I think after this there's really no normal reason to go with the AMD chips. At the time of my previous post they were holding their own in terms of power to price ratio but that is no longer the case.
I guess we shall have to wait and see if the upcoming next generation AMD processors is a return to glory for the company or if Intel's new processors will smash them again.
[1]: http://www.chnorton.com.au/2007/06/18/cpu-shootout-intel-vs-amd/