Benchmark Results: Applications
3ds Max rendering runs best on fast quad-core processors, but the Propus still does OK here.
Checking for viruses using AVG Anti-Virus is a simple story: quad-cores win, dual-cores lose.
PDF document creation using Microsoft PowerPoint is memory-sensitive, and it also benefits from fast clock speeds. The Core 2 architecture delivers more performance per clock.
Adobe’s Photoshop is probably the most popular image editing software, hence we’ve been using it as a benchmarking tool. Version CS4 was heavily optimized for multi-core processors, but it seems to run much better on Intel hardware. You need AMD’s top model to get really fast performance in Photoshop. AMD’s dual-core Phenom II falls behind here. The new Athlon II X4 620 makes a fair showing and matches Intel’s Core 2 Duo top model.
WinRAR is very memory-sensitive and thread-optimized, and it can take advantage of multiple processing cores. The missing L3 cache clearly seems to be an issue for file compression with WinRAR. All other processors are faster due to their better cache architecture or higher clock speeds.
WinZip isn’t optimized for multi-core, which is why CPUs with the highest clock speed and the best performance per clock win. The new AMD loses one minute to its direct Intel competitor, the Core 2 Quad Q8200.
Check these great Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 results. The Athlon II X4 even matches the performance of Intel’s Core 2 Quad Q9550, which runs at a faster clock speed. Obviously, not all benchmarks benefit from large cache architectures.
The chess game Fritz 11 wants as many cores as possible, and it also scales well with clock speed. As a result, the new AMD processor shows nice performance, but it can’t beat Intel’s Core 2 Quad family.
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Where is overclocking test?
Where is overclocking test?
I had to head over to anandtech for that
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipse [...] i=3638&p=9
Wow.. talk about a mixed bag. Though its a great marketing ploy if nothing else. $50 and Vt over the Q8200 is something.
The overclocking (on the particular board reviewed on, Anand used a 790 board) would be interesting. Too bad Tom's got lazy. I know I've had good luck with budget G31 boards.
I get the budget tri core, as some games are starting to use dual threads and the core in the back for the OS and garbage. Not sure what the price point will be as the 710 is in that range also. But the quad escapes me. The A/V editing crowd are the ones that benefit most from a quad, but the lack of speed and large cache really hold back the fact that there are 4 cores. Better to get speed and get a Phenom II x2 in the same price range.
This great news for anybody lookin to buy into a quad core, tho I want to see AMD come out with something big awesome, not a budget cpu.
Just curious, but do you guys use the scanline renderer or mental ray for 3DS Max?
Westemere Verse Fusion, Who will win? Much more interesting to many at Toms hardware over, whats the best sub $100 processor? Actually nevermind it is good info, I know how to build a sub $200 rendering comp to be included in a massive rendering farm.
quote : "All modern processors consist of three main elements that must be carefully balanced: core count, cache capacities, and clock speed".
sure , but what happened to micro-architecture and the resulting instructions/clock ? Intel has a clear advantage in their arch , whether core 2 or, now, i5 for the masses .
but , of course , they have a proposition at 100 dollars for 4 cores , that's nice .
Not worth it. For an extra $100, I can get an i7 which provides a 10fold increase in computational power density.
Q9550 $214 @3.8-4.0Ghz eats all current AMD Phenom II processors for lunch. Forget about i5 or i7.
I was just thinking that my q6600 at 3.2 is higher than the chart and 22months old...
Just curious, but do you guys use the scanline renderer or mental ray for 3DS Max?
I second that, plus can you link us to the *.max file (if possible) cause I for one would like to benchmark my system with it to see how it stands.
... this part is in Latvia already @ a nice pricepoint... a cheap upgrade from x2 to x4 for multitask and windows 7 users...
Not worth it. For an extra $100, I can get an i7 which provides a 10fold increase in computational power density.
Dude you're saying as if we all have more than $200 for a CPU upgrade. What I mean by more than $200 is -> ~$200 for i7, ~$150 more for new socket mobo, and if integrated GPU was previously used, ~$60+ more for new GPU.
Well, OK, new GPU aside, you still need at LEAST a freaking $350 just to go for quad-core i7.
It's common sense that $100 upgrade is cheaper than $350 ones. Not to mention the waste of buying current mobo...
"Should you consider keeping your mature Athlon 64 X2 system a while longer—let’s say until SATA/600 and USB 3.0 become mainstream in mid-2010"
For the user looking for a cheap alternative it's looking good.
Budget quad core, yay!
Would be great for a secondary computer.
Give it my 4870, and put a 5870 in my new rig. ^_^
...
Quad core for $100, 4870 for $100, 4GB RAM for $40, board for $50, PSU for $25 (I would be cheap here, being a dirt cheap system. No way in hell I'd use a crappy PSU on my i7 though). Use an old mouse/keyboard/monitor/case/HDD/DVDD, and I have everything I need.
My i7 system: total cost (including shipping/taxes etc.) = $1,700
i7 920, bloodrage mobo, 1GB 4870, 6GB DDR3, CM V8 HSF, Antec 300, 3x Scythe fans, 22x DVD drive, 1TB HDD, 2 UV cathodes, g5 mouse, game controller, 23" monitor...
Athlon x4: approximately ~ $350.
For the same price of the i7 920 cpu alone (assuming you're paying full price, because us Canadians don't have a Frys or Microcenter) I could jerry rig a cheap AMD quad core... awesome.
Great article.... I didn't think that Athlon II X4 will do this well in the benchmarks and efficiency. I have a Dragon Platform (Phenom II X4 940, MSI DKA790GX Platinum, XFX Radeon 4850), after this article I am planning to make an R&D system based on Athlon II X4. Thanks Tom's Hardware for this nice article. :-)
Hmm... Athlon II X4 is still a bit pricey for me.
Better wait until its Sempron incarnation.
nice to see that my amd phenom 9550 still delivers great performance. i like it (put it that way) at comparison to the newer cpu's.