A simple answer, what is the best processor to buy?

Is there a simple answer as to whether an AMD K6-2 or an Intel PII is the better processor. Also, is the new AMD K7 processor in a class by its self or is the new Intel PIII the better choice. Lastly, what is your recommendation of processors.

This question was answered on September 2, 1999. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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With computer chips there is never a simple answer! Processors are constantly being upgraded For instance there is a second generation of Pentium III chips coming in the next wave from Intel maybe in the very end of 1999 By the time you get this answer there probably will be another new chip!

There are three major manufacturers of processors or chips: Intel (Celeron, Pentium II, III) Advanced Micro Devices (AMD K6-2, K7) and Cyrix The Intel family of chips dominates the consumer processor market with AMD coming in a distant second and Cyrix just barely registering on the chart Intel chips generally are the most powerful and the most widely supported by motherboard manufacturers AMD has created niches in the market by creating processors that are geared toward specific markets such as the gaming market Cyrix is just happy to get the leftovers from Intel and AMD It is the fastest and most expensive of the group of processors AMD at certain levels will compete with the 266-650mghz Intel chips at a lower price and Intel dominates in overall performance and expense Intel’s top-of-the-line CPU soon to be released, the Pentium III 700Mhz (Megahertz) is by far the most powerful of the processors available to the average consumer We have had the least trouble with the Intel chips I don’t take any of the Cyrix chips seriously as they are designed for “entry level” or bottom of the line systems and don’t allow much of an upgrade path to the current standards AMD has also focused on the lower end of the market with most of their chips and are in most sub $1000 systems They provide good “bang for the buck” in systems of $1200 or less My experience with the AMD chips is that they are more particular about the motherboard and are more likely to burn-up (fail) if the CPU fan quits or becomes dislodged I have seen Intel chips that have had burn marks in the middle of the chip from overheating that still run once the cooling fan is replaced!

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Posted by Ken Colburn of Data Doctors on September 2, 1999

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