Decoding Cryptic Processor Code Numbers

Decoding Cryptic Processor Code Numbers
Posted :: Jun 16, 2005 by Haggs

If you've been to an electronics retailer lately, or just looked through some advertisements, you probably have already noticed that Intel has stopped advertising processors based on clock speed, but rather on a three-digit code number. While the raw processor speed may not have provided incredible insight into the true performance of the processor itself, it provided one piece of information.

Intel isn't the only one to blame for confusing labeling schemes. Rival AMD has an Athlon XP 2800+ and two different versions of their AMD 64 2800+ (socket 754 and socket 939), both of which significantly outperform the 32-bit XP CPU. Interestingly enough not one of the three AMD 2800+ runs at a 2.8Ghz clock speed. So what is a consumer to do when faced with such confusion? Luckily a couple groups have come to the rescue and put together convenient, easy to use charts. If you're having trouble keeping track of which processors have what specifications, try using The Inquirer's CPU chart, and if that's not enough you may want to head over to Tech Report and see their CPU chart.

However, remember that processor specifications are no substitute for benchmarks when it comes to gauging true processor performance.