Another ridiculous computer question

[whitelightening]

I'm pretty ignorant when it comes down to a lot of computer stuff, so please, bear with me.

Could someone either explain to me or point me to a reference for a comparison and explanation of CPU's between AMD, Intel and the PowerPC processors used in Macs?

I'm trying to comprehend how (and WHY) Intel has 3.8GHz P4 processors, AMD's FX-53 is only at 2.40GHz and the G5 is at 2.5GHz.

Common sense would tell me that the P4 is far and away better than the other two, but this surely this isn't the case, is it?

Please be gentle :?

[Eric Zane]

When it says AMD 3000+, that is pretty equal (or meant to be) to a Intel P4 at 3000 MHz (3 GHz).

You should also check this out:
http://www.apple.com/powermac/

[Wizard]

I can't remember the criterion, but, given equal frequencies, Intel CPUs are faster then AMDs: P4 3000 > AMD 3000+

Marco

[Eric Zane]

AMD Benchmark (Sempron) (http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/ProductInformation/0,,30_118_11599_11605~88854,00.html)

[Luca_Capozzi]

the numbers you read that resembles car c.c. is only the frequency of a calc cicle done by the cpu. this doesn't ever means that higher==faster.. it depends by the architecture of the cpu. a Mac cpu have a different architecture than an Intel or an AMD.

[St0rMl0rD]

the numbers you read that resembles car c.c. is only the frequency of a calc cicle done by the cpu. this doesn't ever means that higher==faster.. it depends by the architecture of the cpu. a Mac cpu have a different architecture than an Intel or an AMD.

yeah...PowerPCs kinda had a bad reputation, but now with G5 going on...maybe should we ask the Wizard himself, he'd know the best since I believe he's using it at this very moment in the studio :P