Peltonweb.com[/u]]
As some of you know, AMD has been using a ratings system for their processor which is similar to what Cyrix did in the days of the classic Intel Pentium (for those who remember that sort of thing). While AMD has been widely criticized for this move, the executive summary is this: It is generally accurate and even slightly conservative. Allow me to provide a quick reference chart:
CPU Name Actual Clock Speed
Athlon XP 2600+ 2.13GHz
Athlon XP 2400+ 2.00GHz
Athlon XP 2200+ 1.80GHz
Athlon XP 2100+ 1.73GHz
Athlon XP 2000+ 1.67GHz
Athlon XP 1900+ 1.60GHz
Athlon XP 1800+ 1.53GHz
Athlon XP 1700+ 1.47GHz
Athlon XP 1600+ 1.40GHz
Athlon XP 1500+ 1.33GHz
Why would AMD do this? There is actually a very good reason for the ratings system, which AMD calls "
QuantiSpeed Architecture." While many people realize that the V6 engine in a Porche is far more powerful than a V6 in a Honda Accord, and that the BMW Z8 can accelerate faster than the BMW M5, despite having the same engine, few people realize the same concept holds true from processors (as described briefly above). According to professional benchmarks by trustworthy major hardware websites such as Anandtech.com and AcesHardware.com, as well as many print publications, the ratings system is a fair measure of actual performance.
...The AthlonXP may be about 30% faster at the same clock speed (same MHz), but the Pentium IV can run at about 30% higher clock speeds, so the two CPUs often end up being toe-to-toe at any one time.