Getting a processor for your desktop or laptop computer should be a no-brainer as the clock speed serves as the main measurement of its sheer power. All you need to do is get the processor that fits your budget and has the highest possible clock speed. As long as the processor meets the requirements of your motherboard, it should be fine. The problem is that there are two main brands to choose from and they excel in different areas even if their advertised clock speeds are identical.
The Big Two
You have the choice of getting an Intel Pentium Dual Core processor or an AMD processor. These processors may be overshadowed by more powerful versions, but they may still be a good choice for you. What processor to get depends on what kind of user you are.
Ordinary Users
If you are an ordinary computer user who enjoys basic multitasking, word processing and surfing the Internet, the processor brand should not really matter. Simply get a processor that meets the recommended requirements of your favorite applications. If you are more critical about speed, AMD Athlon 64 X2 processors slightly surpass the Intel lineups in both budget and flagship models.
Productive Users
Productive users are people who are into deeper tasks like photo editing, movie ripping, mp3 encoding and other heavy multitasking jobs where both cores need to be utilized. Many live tests indicate that AMD Athlon processors handle the tasks a bit faster than the competing Intel Dual Core processors. The two are just as efficient when it comes to running multiple applications.
Gamers
Gamers need as much processing power as possible to get the games to run smoothly at high frame rates with minimal loading between scenes. AMD has a reputation for being the processor of choice for gamers and it still holds onto that throne in the dual core category. Half-Life 2 demo, for instance, can reach slightly above 140 fps (frames per second) on the standard 1024x768 resolution when running on the best processor offered by AMD. Even its weakest processor tops the best that Intel has to offer in its dual core lineup.
Cost
Budget users may want to settle for a processor that is affordable but still powerful enough to handle their needs. Intel does not win in this aspect either when it comes to its flagship Intel Pentium Extreme Edition 840, because the AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800 comes out cheaper. Budget users may, however, get the Pentium D 820 chip, which is much cheaper than the low-end AMD models.
Bottom Line
AMD may be the winner between the two brands, but Intel's Pentium Dual Core processor can perform just as well. Entry-level PC users should be fine with the most affordable Intel processors, but AMD has shown to have better performance for more advanced users.
Tags: Dual Core, Intel Pentium, Pentium Dual, Pentium Dual Core, processor that, Athlon processors