64-bit desktop computing (for the rest of us, not the tech weenies) is starting to really make a surge. I had posted here about 64-bit computing asking the question if any of us really needed it, and how we might get some bargains in the meantime on older 32-bit computers. Back then, I had the opinion that most of us won’t need 64-bit computing, however, the times are changing, and for the Frugal Tech, you dollar can go further on your tech purchases.
What we are talking about of course is the seemingly epic struggle between Intel and AMD for control (or at least a reasonable split) of the computing desktops and compute server racks of the IT World. On one side, we’ve got Intel with it’s approach to the market and on the other AMD with it’s approach. They are both driving everyone to 64-bit (even if the software applications are not quite available yet).
For the technically inclined, please note benchmarks at C/net at this link here
Our friends in Russia (and now also the U.S.) at X-Bit labs have run some benchmarks as well and you can see those at this link here.
First, the punch line - AMD Athlon64 based computers at 64-bit are hands down better than their Intel counterparts. On price, performance, and on the lesser considered but equally important issues of power consumption and thermal dissipation (how much heat the chips give off) AMD’s Athlon64 processors are just a better bargain.
So let’s talk about why you should care, what you might do about it, and, most importantly for the Frugal Tech, how it effects your purse.
Recent Comments