Contents:
1.0 FAQ
2.0 CPUs at a glance
2.1 Applications
3.0 Picking the right CPU
3.1 CPUs to avoid
3.2 Sempron PR
3.3 Recommended CPUs
3.4 Overclockers' picks
3.5 Few additional notes
4.0 Conclusion
____________________________________________
1.0 FAQ
Q) What does FAQ mean?
A) FAQ means "Frequently Asked Questions"
Q) Why have you decided to make this buyers' guide?
A) Many people ask about "which cpu to get" for their particular purpose. The goal of this buyers' guide is to make the choice easier for people who come to THGC.
Q) I smell "biased" opinions/recommendations to some particular brand
A) If you think this guide is biased to any particular brand, don't read it. I've tried my best to keep it as neutral as possible. If something is strongly not recommended, it's not because I like/hate some particular brand. Everything in this guide is fact and established true opinion, not my personal thoughts.
Q) I'm a "x" brand fanboy and I hate your buyers' guide!
A) The purpose of this guide is to help people. I don't care if Intelliots and AMDroids are satisfied or not.
Q) Why is this guide only about desktop CPUs?
A) At this moment, I'm keeping this guide limited to desktop CPUs. I may add laptop CPUs later.
Q) Will there be a server/workstation CPU section?
A) Most likely, no. Few people buy server/workstations, and their needs vary widely. So it's unnecessary to add server/workstation CPU section in this buyers' guide.
Q) I have comments/suggestions/flames about this buyers guide, how do i bring them to your attention?
A) Feel free to express your opinions. Your constructive opinions will help me make the guide better. Post your opinions in CPU forum or PM me.
2.0 CPUs at a glance
Here I will describe the CPUs that are currently being manufactured/available for purchase.
2.0.1 Pentium 4 (Prescott)
Known as: P4"E", P4 "J", P4 x.xxE GHz, P4 x.xxJ GHz, P4 5XX
Clock speed: 2.8 GHz, 3.0 GHz, 3.2 GHz, 3.4 GHz, 3.6 GHz, 3.8 GHz
Platform: Socket 478, LGA 775
Manufacturing process: 0.09µ
FSB: 800 MHz effective (200 MHz Quad-Pumped)
Cache: 12µops L1 instruction cache, 16k L1 data cache, 1 MB L2 cache
CPU Extensions: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, HT
2.0.2 Pentium 4 (Prescott)
Known as: P4"E", P4 x.xxE GHz, P4 6XX series
Clock speed: 3.4 GHz, 3.6 GHz
Platform: LGA 775
Manufacturing process: 0.09µ
FSB: 800 MHz effective (200 MHz Quad-Pumped)
Cache: 12µops L1 instruction cache, 16k L1 data cache, 2 MB L2 cache
CPU Extensions: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, HT, EM64T
2.0.3 Pentium 4 (Prescott "A")
Known as: P4"A", P4 x.xxA GHz,
Clock speed: 2.4 GHz, 2.66 GHz 2.8 GHz
Platform: Socket 478
Manufacturing process: 0.09µ
FSB: 533 MHz effective (133 MHz Quad-Pumped)
Cache: 12µops L1 instruction cache, 16k L1 data cache, 1 MB L2 cache
CPU Extensions: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3
2.0.4 Pentium 4 Extreme Edition (Prestonia)
Known as: P4 EE, P4 XE
Clock speed: 3.2 GHz, 3.4 GHz, 3.46 GHz, 3.73 GHz
Platform: Socket 478, LGA 775
Manufacturing process: 0.13µ
FSB: 800 MHz/1066 effective (200/266 MHz Quad-Pumped)
Cache: 12µops L1 instruction cache, 8k L1 data cache, 512k L2 cache, 2 MB L3 cache
CPU Extensions: MMX, SSE, SSE2, HT
2.0.5 Pentium 4 Extreme Edition (Prescott)
Known as: P4 EE, P4 XE
Clock speed: 3.73 GHz
Platform: LGA 775
Manufacturing process: 0.09µ
FSB: 1066 MHz effective (266 MHz Quad-Pumped)
Cache: 12µops L1 instruction cache, 8k L1 data cache, 2 MB L2 cache
CPU Extensions: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, HT, EM64T
2.0.6 Celeron (Willamette/Northwood)
Known as: Celeron, "P4 based" Celeron
Clock speed: 2.0 GHz, 2.2 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 2.6 GHz
Platform: Socket 478
Manufacturing process: 0.13µ
FSB: 400 MHz effective (100 MHz Quad-Pumped)
Cache: 12µops L1 instruction cache, 8k L1 data cache, 128k L2 cache
CPU Extensions: MMX, SSE, SSE2
2.0.7 Celeron D (Prescott)
Known as: Celeron "D", "P4 based" Celeron
Clock speed: 2.53 GHz, 2.66 GHz, 2.80 GHz, 2.93 GHz, 3.06 GHz
Platform: Socket 478, LGA775
Manufacturing process: 0.09µ
FSB: 533 MHz effective (133 MHz Quad-Pumped)
Cache: 12µops L1 instruction cache, 8k L1 data cache, 256k L2 cache
CPU Extensions: MMX, SSE, SSE2, HT
2.0.8 Athlon 64 FX (Sledgehammer, Newcastle)
Known as: A64 FX
Model name: FX51 (2.2 GHz), FX53 (2.4 GHz), FX55 (2.6 GHz)
Platform: Socket 940, Socket 939 (FX53 only)
Manufacturing process: 0.13µ SOI
FSB: 800 MHz HT link, on-die dual channel DDR400 memory controller
Cache: 64k L1 instruction cache, 64k L1 data cache, 1 MB L2 cache
CPU Extensions: MMX, 3D Now!, 3D Now! Extension, SSE, SSE2, AMD64 (x86-64)
2.0.9 Athlon 64 (Clawhammer)
Known as: A64
PR Rating: 3200+ (2.0 GHz), 3400+ (2.2 GHz), 3700+ (2.4 GHz)
Platform: Socket 754
Manufacturing process: 0.13µ SOI
FSB: 800 MHz HT link, on-die DDR400 memory controller
Cache: 64k L1 instruction cache, 64k L1 data cache, 1 MB L2 cache
CPU Extensions: MMX, 3D Now!, 3D Now! Extension, SSE, SSE2, AMD64 (x86-64)
2.0.10 Athlon64 (Newcastle)
Known as: A64
PR Rating: 2800+ (1.8 GHz), 3000+ (2.0 GHz), 3200+ (2.2 GHz), 3400+ (2.4 GHz)
Platform: Socket 754
Manufacturing process: 0.13µ SOI
FSB: 800 MHz HT link, on-die DDR400 memory controller
Cache: 64k L1 instruction cache, 64k L1 data cache, 512k L2 cache
CPU Extensions: MMX, 3D Now!, 3D Now! Extension, SSE, SSE2, AMD64 (x86-64)
2.0.11 Athlon64 (Newcastle, Socket 939)
Known as: A64
PR Rating: 3500+ (2.2 GHz), 3800+ (2.4 GHz), 4000+ (2.4 GHz)
Platform: Socket 939
Manufacturing process: 0.13µ SOI
FSB: 1 GHz HT link, on-die dual channel DDR400 memory controller
Cache: 64k L1 instruction cache, 64k L1 data cache, 512k L2 cache (1 MB for 4000+)
CPU Extensions: MMX, 3D Now!, 3D Now! Extension, SSE, SSE2, AMD64 (x86-64)
2.0.12 Athlon64 (Winchester)
Known as: A64 "90nm"
PR Rating: 3000+ (1.8 GHz), 3200+ (2.0 GHz), 3500+ (2.2 GHz)
Platform: Socket 939
Manufacturing process: 0.09µ SOI
FSB: 1 GHz HT link, on-die dual channel DDR400 memory controller
Cache: 64k L1 instruction cache, 64k L1 data cache, 512k L2 cache
CPU Extensions: MMX, 3D Now!, 3D Now! Extension, SSE, SSE2, AMD64 (x86-64)
2.0.13 Athlon XP (Barton)
Known as: AXP "Barton"
PR Rating: 2500+ (1.83 GHz), 2600+ (1.93 GHz), 2800+ (2.08 GHz), 3000+ (2.17 GHz)
Platform: Socket 462
Manufacturing process: 0.13µ
FSB: 333 MHz effective (166 MHz DDR)
Cache: 64k L1 instruction cache, 64k L1 data cache, 512k L2 cache
CPU Extensions: MMX, 3D Now!, 3D Now! Extension, SSE
2.0.14 Athlon XP (Barton "400")
Known as: AXP "Barton" 400
PR Rating: 3000+ (2.1 GHz), 3200+ (2.2 GHz)
Platform: Socket 462
Manufacturing process: 0.13µ
FSB: 400 MHz effective (200 MHz DDR)
Cache: 64k L1 instruction cache, 64k L1 data cache, 512k L2 cache
CPU Extensions: MMX, 3D Now!, 3D Now! Extension, SSE
2.0.15 Duron (Applebred)
Known as: Duron, Duron "Applebred"
Clock speed: 1.4 GHz, 1.6 GHz, 1.8 GHz
Platform: Socket 462
Manufacturing process: 0.13µ
FSB: 266 MHz effective (133 MHz DDR)
Cache: 64k L1 instruction cache, 64k L1 data cache, 64k L2 cache
CPU Extensions: MMX, 3D Now!, 3D Now! Extension, SSE
2.0.18 Sempron (T-bred "B")
Known as: Sempron, Sempron (Socket 462)
PR Rating: 2400+ (1.67 GHz), 2500+ (1.75 GHz), 2600+ (1.83 GHz), 2800+ (2.0 GHz), 3000+ (2.0 GHz)
Platform: Socket 462
Manufacturing process: 0.13µ
FSB: 333 MHz effective (166 MHz DDR)
Cache: 64k L1 instruction cache, 64k L1 data cache, 256k L2 cache (3000+ model has 512k L2 cache)
CPU Extensions: MMX, 3D Now!, 3D Now! Extension, SSE
2.0.19 Sempron (Paris)
Known as: Sempron, Sempron (Socket 754)
PR Rating: 3100+ (1.8 GHz)
Platform: Socket 754
Manufacturing process: 0.13µ SOI
FSB: 800 MHz HT link, on-die DDR400 memory controller
Cache: 64k L1 instruction cache, 64k L1 data cache, 256k L2 cache
CPU Extensions: MMX, 3D Now!, 3D Now! Extension, SSE, SSE2
2.0.20 Sempron (Palermo)
Known as: Sempron, Sempron (Socket 754)
PR Rating: 2600+ (1.6 GHz), 2800+ (1.6 GHz), 3000+ (1.8 GHz)
Platform: Socket 754
Manufacturing process: 0.13µ SOI
FSB: 800 MHz HT link, on-die DDR400 memory controller
Cache: 64k L1 instruction cache, 64k L1 data cache, 128k to 256k L2 cache (256k for 2800+ model only, 2600+ and 3000+ has 128k)
CPU Extensions: MMX, 3D Now!, 3D Now! Extension, SSE, SSE2
2.1 Applications
Not all applications require same amount of CPU power. Among current high end CPUs, there's no clear winner, because the performance level of the same processor varies depending on application type. Now I will try to divide apps in few categories.
2.1.1 Office apps. & Internet
Even the slowest processors of today are more than enough for word processing, spreadsheet calculation, slide shows, internet browsing and e-mail. If your need is just running office apps and internet use, then any of the current CPUs are enough. If you frequently backup good amount of data in compressed format (like RAR) then some extra cpu power will prove handy
2.1.2 Entertainment
If your entertainment needs are limited to Audio CD/mp3/DVD playback, then current slowest CPUs are able to meet your demand. If you also want to play DiVX/MPEG-4 video with full post-processing enabled and rip audio CDs occasionally, then some extra CPU power will be necessary. If you do a lot of video encoding, CD ripping, then spending extra money for a faster CPU will prove very useful.
2.1.3 Gaming
Though currently gaming is more limited by graphics card than CPU, it's still important to have a good CPU for gaming. More CPU power is necessary for multiplayer gaming. If wisely picked a $50-$70 CPU can provide adequate gaming performance. But if you want to enjoy the best possible gaming experience, then a faster CPU is necessary beside a decent graphics card. Many gamers often backup their games in compressed format (RAR for example), so better data compression performance of a CPU proves useful for gamers.
2.1.4 Photoshop and other graphics editing apps.
For simple image editing that every home PC user does, the slowest current CPU is enough. But if you are involved in serious editing, then you'll need a fast CPU. P4s are the best for this kind of apps.
2.1.5 Data Compression
Try to get the fastest CPU for these kind of apps. There's nothing "fast enough" in these apps. Faster is always better. Athlon64s are astonishingly fast in popular data compression apps like WinRAR.
2.1.6 Professional level Audio/Video editing & encoding
Try to get the fastest CPU for these kind of apps. There's nothing "fast enough" in these apps. Faster is always better. P4s are the best for most of the apps of this category.
2.1.7 3D Rendering
Same thing applies for 3D rendering. Try to get the fastest CPU for your app. P4s are the best for this kind of apps and Athlon64s are decent performers.
2.1.8 CAD
Same story again for CAD. Faster = Better. CAD prefers CPUs of high FPU performance. Athlon64 and Athlon XP are excellent CPUs for CAD.
2.1.9 Development Workstation
For compiling small apps, a moderately fast CPU is more than enough. But if you often compile big programs, then a faster CPU will prove useful. Athlon64 and Athlon XP are the best for this kind of apps.
3.0 Picking the right CPU
Picking the right CPU is very important if you want get the best from your PC for your needs and spend money efficiently. If you buy your CPU wisely, then you can save some money and spend it on some other things to make your PC more feature rich. Before I recommend CPUs, I'm going to throw out some CPUs to make things simpler. These CPUs neither have any special advantage, nor good value for your money.
3.1 CPUs to avoid
3.1.1 P4 based Celerons (described in 2.0.6 and 2.0.7)
These CPUs are a total waste of money. They aren't good for any CPU intensive apps. Though they're good enough to work as intelligent typewriters, you can get much better CPUs at the same price range.
3.1.2 P4 Prescott "A" (described in 2.0.3)
You can get lot better peformance from Athlon64 2800+ with spending less money. There's absolutely no point for buying these CPUs.
3.1.3 Athlon XP "Barton" 2800+ to 3200+ (described in 2.0.13 and 2.0.14)
Though these CPUs perform fairly good, they couldn't justify their PR rating in their time. Now socket 462 is practically dead and their time is over. Similarly priced Athlon64 and Semprons will give you better performance, more up-to-date platforms and better upgrade potential.
3.1.4 Sempron (socket 462) (described in 2.0.1Cool
Since Socket 462 is practically dead, there's no point for buying Socket 462 Semprons. Nowdays you can buy Socket 754 Semprons which offer equal or better performance at equal price, a more up-to-date platform and lot better upgrade potential.
3.1.5 Pentium 4 Extreme Edition (described in 2.0.4 and 2.0.5)
These CPUs perform well, but cheaper Athlon64 FX55 is the faster than the fastest P4 EE in almost all apps. It's not even the fastest P4 (P4 3.6 GHz outperforms it in many benchmarks). It also requires expensive i925XE base motherboard and DDR-II 533 RAM. Considering their $1000+ pricetag, this CPU is a totally pointless buy.
3.1.6 Athlon 64 4000+(described in 2.0.Cool, Athlon64 FX55
Athlon 64 FX55 is the fastest CPU at this momemnt in almost all apps. (except few video encoding and 3D Rendering apps), but the performance advantage is too small to justify it's pricetag. Though the price is not as insane as P4 Extreme Edition, it's still very high. This CPU is not recommended unless you want the best at any cost. Athlon64 4000+ performance is practically equal to Athlon64 3800+, but the pricetag is not. This is why it's not recommended.
3.2 Sempron PR
Sempron PRs are comparable with Celeron "D" GHz rating, not with P4 or Athlon64 PR rating. In case of Sempron (socket 462) vs. Athlon XP with equal PR, Athlon XP is faster due to higher clockspeed.
3.3 Recommended CPUs
3.3.1 Office PC/Basic home PC
Preferred CPU:- Cheapest Athlon XP
sub $50:- Duron 1.4 GHz to 1.8 GHz
$50 to $100:- Sempron 2600+ (socket 754) or faster CPU within budget
Comments:- Cheapest AXPs and Durons are more than enough for this kind of PC
3.3.1 Home PC + Gaming + Entertainment
Preferred CPU:- Athlon64 2800+ or faster
sub $50:- Duron 1.6 GHz to 1.8 GHz
$50 to $100:- Sempron 2600+ (socket 754) or faster CPU within budget
$100 to $150:- Athlon64 2800+, Athlon64 3000+ (Newcastle 2.0 GHz)
$170 to $200:- Athlon64 3200+ (Newcastle 2.2 GHz)
$200 and up:- Athlon64 3400+ (Newcastle 2.4 GHz), Athlon64 3500+ (Winchester 2.4 GHz)
Comments:- Sempron 2600+ should be the minimal CPU for this kind of system. If you really can't spend more than 50-60 $, lowest priced Durons and AXPs are not bad choice. Athlon64 3000+ to 3400+ (Newcastle) are highly recommended if you want to keep the system for couple of years
3.3.2 Hardcore Gaming + heavy Audio/Video encoding
Preferred CPU:- Athlon64 3000+ or faster
sub $50:- Duron 1.6 GHz
$50 to $100:- Sempron 2600+ (socket 754) or faster CPU within budget
$100 to $150:- Athlon64 2800+, Athlon64 3000+ (Newcastle, 2.0 GHz)
$170 to $200:- P4 3.0C/E GHz, Athlon64 3200+ (Newcastle 2.2 GHz)
$200 to $300:- P4 3.2C/E GHz, Athlon64 3400+ (Newcastle, 2.4 GHz), Athlon64 3500+ (Winchester, 2.2 GHz)
$300 and up:- P4 3.6E GHz, Athlon64 3800+
Comments:- P4s really shine when it comes to audio/video encoding. Plus they're decent gaming CPU. Athlon64s are the best for gaming and fairly good for encoding. Pick between A64 and P4 depending on which task is more important to you. In sub $100 price range, socket 754 Semprons are a good choice.
3.3.3 Professional level Audio/video encoding, Photoshop, 3D rendering
Preferred CPU:- P4 3.0 GHz or faster
sub $50:- Duron 1.6 GHz
$50 to $100:- Sempron 2600+ (socket 754)
$100 to $150:- Athlon64 2800+, Athlon64 3000+ (Newcastle 2.0 GHz)
$170 to $200:- P4 3.0 GHz, Athon64 3200+ (Newcastle 2.0 GHz)
$200 to $300:- P4 3.2 GHz, Athlon64 3400+ (Newcastle, 2.4 GHz), Athlon64 3500+ (Winchester, 2.2 GHz)
$300 and up:- P4 3.6E GHz
Comments:- These applications are P4s' strong point and from P4 3.0 GHz they provide both high performance and good price/performance ratio. In sub $100 category, AXP is the automatic choice. Again, higher clocked AXPs perform better than higher cache AXPs.
3.3.4 CAD and Development workstation
Preferred CPU:- Athlon 64 3400+ or faster
sub $50:- Duron 1.6 GHz
$50 to $100:- Sempron 2600+ (socket 754)
$100 to $150:- Athlon64 2800+, Athlon64 3000+ (Newcastle, 2.0 GHz)
$170 to $200:- Athlon64 3200+ (Newcastle, 2.2 GHz)
$200 to $300:- Athlon64 3400+ (Newcastle, 2.4 GHz), Athlon64 3500+ (Winchester, 2.2 GHz)
$300 and up:- Athlon64 3800+
SSE3 application development:- P4 "Prescott"
Comments: Athlons are the best CPU for these apps. Higher clocked AXP/A64s perform better than AXP/A64s with higher L2 cache
3.4 Overclockers' picks
3.4.1 Sempron (Socket 754)
Low price and very good overclock potential makes this series a very attractive choice for overclockers.
3.4.2 Athlon64 (Winchester)
These newer 90nm variant of Athlon64s overclock very well. Unlocked lower multipliersmay prove useful for some overclockers. And you get 512k L2 cache, dual channel memory controller, x86-64 as bonus which are missing from Sempron
3.4.3 Pentium4 Prescott
If you have decent cooling system, then these CPUs are quite good for overclocking.
3.5 Few additional notes
3.5.1 AMD64/EM64T (x86-64)
AMD64 (aka x86-64) is AMD's marketing term to describe its 64 bit extentions to the x86 ISA. Intel calls the same extensions "EM64T". All Athlon64 CPUs and P4 6xx series processors have x86-64 extensions. x86-64 cpus are capable of running both 64 bit x86-64 applications and current 32 bit x86 applications natively. Currently there's no x86-64 supported Windows or windows applications available. x86-64 version of Windows should ship within this year and then windows applications programmed for x86-64 extensions will start to come. x86-64 is supposed to improve performance in many CPU intensive apps and it will overcome the 4 GB memory addressing limitation of current 32 bit CPUs. Since this feature is currently not utilized in windows environment and more than 4 GB memory addressing is not going to be necessary in desktop PCs at least until late 2006, I didn't take this feature in account while recommending Athlon64 CPUs. Linux users should keep the extra performance advantage of x86-64 CPUs in mind, because there's already x64-64 version of Linux and many x64-64 compatible applications available. Or if you work with extremely memory hungry apps (like Photoshop) and don't plan to upgrade within 2 years, then you may find higher memory addressing capability of x86-64 CPUs useful after compatible Windows and applications become available.
x86-64 also has the potential to bring significant performance boost at encoding, rendering, image editing or video editing if used with x86-64 compatible OS and applications. Windows for x86-64 should be available withinin 2005 and then many 32 bit windows applications are expected to be ported to x86-64. Release Candidiate of Windows for x86-64 is already available for download at Mircrosoft website.
4.0 Conclusion
Thanks for reading this guide. Your valuable opinions are highly appreciated for improving the guide.
THGC CPU Buyers' Guide
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