relative speed of processors

[Primeinator]

Can anyone tell me what the difference in speed and performace is between:
1) A 1.7Ghz P4 and a 3.0Ghz P4 (I'm considering getting a new computer and need some feedback. I know this is almost twice as fast, but how much will the difference actually be noticed)
2) A 3.0Ghz to a 3.2, a 3.4 and a 3.6 (all P4's)

Thanks.

-Kyle

[dsouza123]

If the base fsb speed and multiplier (ie double, triple, quad pumped) and
the amount of L2 cache is the same it should be close to a linear
improvement.

For LL testing extra cache and a faster multiplier will enhance the factor to some degree.

Going from 1.7 to 3.4 should be double, with all else being equal or better.

The TF in the higher bits 65+ (uses SSE2) which takes the majority of the time,
should also double with doubling of CPU speed, maybe also below
but I'm not sure the because the P4 uses a reduced performance FPU.

[dsouza123]

Also, remember that the P4 enhanced with EMT64 (6xx series) are available.
The 6xx are quad pumped 200 fsb * 4 (800)
or the extreme edition 266 fsb * 4 (1066).
Use the cooler 90nm tech and have the larger 2MB cache.
Have the security bit to help against viral attacks
and the enhanced speedstep to lower power usage/heat.

With Windows XP x86 64 bit about to be commercially released
(the beta is available for download from Microsoft)
and 64 bit Linux available for about 2 years,
you should consider the 64 bit enhanced versions of the P4.

They also run the current 32 bit OSes extremely well in 32 bit mode.

[Primeinator]

I'm looking at maybe getting a HP w/ an AMD 64bit 2.4Ghz processor that has 2GB of memory and 160Gigs of hard drive space. Or do you think it would be better to wait for the 64bit version of the Pentium 4? And better yet, and you be really precise and offer suggestions on a good home computer that would also be good for Prime 95? Thanks

-Kyle

[moo]

there will never be a 64 bit version of a pentium 4.... it will be released under another name probily

[Jeff Gilchrist]

Originally Posted by moo

there will never be a 64 bit version of a pentium 4.... it will be released under another name probily

Like dsouza123 said, the new P4 6xx series has EMT64 which is basically equivalent to the 64bit extensions that the AMD64 has. So they are here now.

[dsouza123]

Both the P4 (6xx) and Athlon 64 systems are very good and provide a 64 bit future,
The main questions are what programs do you want/need to run,
cost (buying price and operating), availability.

The availability of the Athlon 64 systems is excellent.
The availability of the P4 w EMT64 is low,
there are many P4 systems with the faster P4s but are only 32 bit.

I looked at Desktop systems from HP that matched your specs,
but I couldn't tell if any of the P4 were EMT64, probably not,
if they did that would be a big item to note.
Identifiers 6xx series, EMT64, and a clue 2 MB cache (only extreme edition had 2MB cache before).

Right now there is limited availability of P4 EMT64 at the big PC companies.
Only found it at Dell either 3.0 (630) or XPS 3.2 [3.4,3.6](640) Ghz with a $800 premium for the 3.2 Ghz and more for 3.4 and 3.6.

For gaming the Athlon 64 systems are usually best.
For Prime95 the P4 are faster because of the higher clock speeds,
at the same clock speed an Athlon 64 is faster.
For databases or programs that have intense/large memory access
and not limited by the CPU the Athlon 64 is faster because of the
high speed memory controller in the CPU.
For FPU intensive without SSE2 the Athlon 64 is faster.

HP $2200 3700+ 2.4Ghz
DELL $2900 660 3.6Ghz with close specs
2 GB Mem
250 GB HD drive
256 MB Nvidia
2 DVD/CD RW
17 Flat panel
Works with Word

If the price is a consideration the Athlon 64 is a better deal.

If maximum Prime95 speed is the only consideration
the 3.6 Ghz P4 EMT64 is the system to get.

[PrimeCruncher]

Originally Posted by Primeinator

I'm looking at maybe getting a HP w/ an AMD 64bit 2.4Ghz processor that has 2GB of memory and 160Gigs of hard drive space. Or do you think it would be better to wait for the 64bit version of the Pentium 4? And better yet, and you be really precise and offer suggestions on a good home computer that would also be good for Prime 95? Thanks

-Kyle

I'd say go for the AMD. They have better performance in general and comsume less power than the P4s, so they're cheaper to run.

[Primeinator]

Okay thanks a bunch .
One last question. Would it be better to wait for the Microsoft Windows 64bit system, or just go ahead and get something like a XP Home edition? And, how much of a difference is there between a regular 32bit P4 and a 64bit AMD Athlon 64bit pc? I know the P4 32bit would be a lot easier to find that a 64bit version. Thanks

[Xyzzy]

Originally Posted by Primeinator

One last question. Would it be better to wait for the Microsoft Windows 64bit system, or just go ahead and get something like a XP Home edition?

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/6...n/upgrade.mspx

It is free and good for one year...

[Primeinator]

Ahhh, okay thanks. Now I just need a 64bit processor.