Wendago.com Forum

What is generally considered better? The highest end Pentium chip or the highest end Athlon?

Intel's been lagging on introducing a 64-bit Pentium so I'm going to have to say Athlon simply due to it's 64-bitness. Not only is 64-bit going to be taking over 32-bit very soon, but it's been proven that the Athlon 64 and Athlon FX series are superior than the top of the line Pentium 4 - especially in gaming. That said, if you get a Pentium 4 Extreme Edition (which are now discontinued), peformance is pretty close. If I were buying a desktop I'd gow with a 64-bit Athlon processor right now. That doesn't make me like the Pentiums any less. I've owned and used both types of processor and to be honest I like them equally.

If you're talking about the -very- latest high-end, it belongs to AMD.

General Business use benchmarks:
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/sho...i=2249&p=4

Game Benchmarks:
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/sho...i=2249&p=9

Power consumption (often not considered):
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/sho...=2249&p=13

I think the jury is still out on the 64-bit issue. Not that there isn't value there, but it's still unproven for home use. That's not to say it won't happen. It will, and all of the chip companies are moving to 64-bit extensions whether we need to or not. I just tend to believe that by the time we "need" 64-bit, it will be time to upgrade/replace your computer again. The move will definitely be a process, not an event.

Get an AMD because it is the most powerful 32-bit chip line right now and will be for at least the next 6 months, and not as an interest-free loan to AMD for a 64-bit software explosion. It won't happen quite like that, and not as swift. Think of the 64-bit support as a bonus, not the selling point.

By the way, Hi everybody. I'm a newbie. I am your fresh-meat forum bitch... I guess. Just don't make that my title.

Thanks for the info, everyone! The computer my kids use is on its last legs and I'm thinking about getting a new computer for myself and giving the kids my current one, so I appreciate the the help.

And, by the way, welcome to the forums, Big Jim.

As you know I'm always happy to help!

Welcome to the forums Jimbo. Just remember for the first two weeks you're Todd's bitch. Then you become the forum's bitch. :E