Processor question

[valkiln]

Hey guys I'm putting together a computer system for a course I'm doing, just a everyday PC, no high end stuff. My problem is that while I can compare the specs for a P4 broad to a K7 broad because the specs are given in the same units e.g. the FSB is 533MHz or 800MHz and the number of slots for peripheral devices etc. But a P4 processor is like 2.0GHz with 256L2 cache while my AMD (K7) processors are 2200+ or 2600+ or 3000+. What I need is a bench mark e.g. an sempron 2200+ is about the same as a celeron 2.0GHz processor or something of the sort.
thanks.

[DarthBrady]

Hey guys I'm putting together a computer system for a course I'm doing, just a everyday PC, no high end stuff. My problem is that while I can compare the specs for a P4 broad to a K7 broad because the specs are given in the same units e.g. the FSB is 533MHz or 800MHz and the number of slots for peripheral devices etc. But a P4 processor is like 2.0GHz with 256L2 cache while my AMD (K7) processors are 2200+ or 2600+ or 3000+. What I need is a bench mark e.g. an sempron 2200+ is about the same as a celeron 2.0GHz processor or something of the sort.
thanks.

there are many different outcomes. you cant some it up to just one answere here ;)

Depending on the amount af cache memory and the bus speed of each chip will vary. For Example, in some tests, you could put a P4 3.0 ghz processor with 256KB L2 Cache @ 300Mhz speed front side bus, against a P4 2.2 ghz processor with 2MB L2 Cache @ 800Mhz front side bus; and the 2.2 may be able to beat the 3.0 with ease, because of its help with all the cache memory and bus speed.

As for the AMD K7 Processors:

AMD Sempron 2200+ - 2.2 Ghz(Rated) 1.5 Ghz(Actual) , 256KB L2 Cache, 166Mhz Bus Speed(Actual) 333 Mhz (with DDR)
AMD Sempron 2600+ - 2.6 Ghz(Rated) 1.83 Ghz(Actual) , 256KB L2 Cache, 166Mhz Bus Speed(Actual) 333 Mhz (with DDR)
AMD Sempron 3000+ - 3.0 Ghz(Rated) 2.0 Ghz(Actual), 512KB L2 Cache, 166Mhz Bus Speed(Actual) 333 Mhz (with DDR)

About Celeron Processors:
Intel Celeron family is a line of budget x86 processors based on Pentium designs. Priced lower than their Pentium counterparts, the Celeron processors have certain high-end processor features disabled (like dual processing or multiprocessing). The Celerons are also slower than similar-clocked Pentiums due to smaller L2 cache size and sometimes slower bus speed. Celeron CPUs are usually packaged the same way as Pentium processors and can be used in the same motherboards as Pentium Processors. Need I quote More?

I would suggest going Pentium or AMD, as keeping celeron on the shelves. Now that Core-Duo is out there, Pentium 4s are more affordable, like celeron was meant to be. But celeron just cant get as high as a benchmark score, because of it's resrticted processing.

[valkiln]

Ok, I always wondered why celerons were so cheap. Now I know I'm getting a deal, a biostar K7/Athlon 2600+ combo (broad with processor) with SATA, I'm saying goodbye celeron and hello AMD. But I really what to get my hands on a Core-Duo, with its multiprocessing capabilities and larger cache, cant wait for them to flood the market.
Thank alot DarthBrady.

[DarthBrady]

Ok, I always wondered why celerons were so cheap. Now I know I'm getting a deal, a biostar K7/Athlon 2600+ combo (broad with processor) with SATA, I'm saying goodbye celeron and hello AMD. But I really what to get my hands on a Core-Duo, with its multiprocessing capabilities and larger cache, cant wait for them to flood the market.
Thank alot DarthBrady.

No problem, but allow me to include yet another piece of advice:

-Dont go get in a hurry to buy a new Core-Duo Processor! Yes, they are fast and efficient, but what they wont tell you is the fact that they are already engineering Quad-Core processors, with twice the muscle as a core-duo, and they are expected to hit the market within a year after Core-Duo's release at the soonest. So, you may want to wait for that. ;)

[NiXoN5050]

If you want power without the price try an AMD Athlon XP or 64 its less expensive and fairly cheap in cost but has Nice power, Im ordering a bundle next week that comes with an athlon xp 2.8 GHz Processor and compatable boardfor roughly $120.00 the board is capable of holding 4GB RAM DDR.. With power comes responsibility.. If you want power you have to have the RAM for it....