Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News

      AMD Is Playing a Risky Numbers Game

      Written by

      Francis Chu
      Published October 22, 2001
      Share
      Facebook
      Twitter
      Linkedin

        eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

        I had to look for a replacement for the aging Pentium II processor in my PC, so I began to do some research on the latest chip offerings from Intel and AMD. I found that it is becoming difficult for the average consumer to clearly see the differences among processors behind all that marketing smoke.

        Earlier this month, AMD unveiled its fastest processor line yet, the Athlon XP based on the Palomino core. Surrounding the press releases are new marketing brandings that are supposed to help consumers better understand the performance improvements of the new Athlon XP compared with older AMD processors, like the Thunderbird.

        The XP stands for “Xtreme Performance” and has an indirect association with Windows XP: AMD stated that the Athlon XP is optimized to bring performance of Windows XP to a new level. Each Athlon XP chip also comes with a performance metric number—for example, the Athlon XP Model 1800+.

        What AMD is really hoping is that these new labels will help educate the uninformed consumer that the Athlon XP is the better-performing processor compared with the Pentium 4, even though the fastest Athlon XP runs at 1.53GHz, or more than 400MHz slower than the fastest 2GHz Pentium 4. The Athlon XP has a model number designation that puts it in direct comparison against each Pentium 4 clock speed.

        I can understand why AMD created the model numbers to downplay the speed differences, but more numbers might end up confusing consumers rather than really educating them. Most tech-savvy PC users know that clock-speed frequency is no longer the measuring stick for processor performance. Two values—IPC (instructions per clock) and clock speed—play equivalent roles in the processor performance equation.

        The Pentium 4 uses an architecture that allows for higher clock speeds by sacrificing IPC; the Pentium 4 performs 20 percent less IPC than its predecessor, the Pentium III. The Athlon has a lower clock speed but can outperform the Pentium because it can handle more IPC.

        Most well-informed buyers will pick the processor because of its higher performance at a lower cost, not because of a large model number or clock speed. There are more things to look for when finding the right processor than just performance. Compatibility, price and dependability also play important roles.

        Instead of playing the marketing bluff, AMD should focus more on penetrating the corporate market and let consumers choose the best processors for their PCs based on realistic information.

        Francis Chu
        Francis Chu

        Get the Free Newsletter!

        Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

        Get the Free Newsletter!

        Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

        MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

        Artificial Intelligence

        9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

        Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
        AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
        Read more
        Cloud

        RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

        Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
        RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
        Read more
        Artificial Intelligence

        8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

        Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
        Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
        Read more
        Latest News

        Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

        James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
        I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
        Read more
        Video

        Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

        James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
        I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
        Read more
        Logo

        eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

        Facebook
        Linkedin
        RSS
        Twitter
        Youtube

        Advertisers

        Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

        Advertise with Us

        Menu

        • About eWeek
        • Subscribe to our Newsletter
        • Latest News

        Our Brands

        • Privacy Policy
        • Terms
        • About
        • Contact
        • Advertise
        • Sitemap
        • California – Do Not Sell My Information

        Property of TechnologyAdvice.
        © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

        Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

        ×