Hello Forum, long time no see.

What do people think about the new 8 core desktop cpu chips from AMD?

Zambezi by AMD.....

From what i read, people are generally dissapointed with this chip
and feel that even the Intel "quad" chips from 2 years earlier can match todays 8 core AMD in price and performance (but NOT match it when using multi core tools...which most music tools are!)

THe general comments seem to say that the chips is good
when using multi core tools and you won't get any better performance for the money
(but there is also a very strong set of comments about how "easy" and
beneficial it is to overclock AMD chips and get super performance from the Zambezi 8 core.)

Intel chips must not be so easy to overclock?

What are your views on this?

The way i see it, this new 8 core AMD
chip is pretty cool for a music production computer on the cheap.

I think making a simple machine with SSD hard drive and giant cooler
blocks so no FANS are needed and a FANLESS power supply and an overclocked Zambezi chip could be the way to go (for low cost)

thanks

VInce.

Except if AMD chips overheat, they OVERheat. Intel chipsets lowers perfomance, whereas an AMD CPU will just melt, and possibly damaging the motherboard etc. At least that's what they were known for doing, don't know if they've developed new anti-over heating mechanisms. Anyways yeah, been thinking about replacing my workhorse, so this is definitely something to do some reading on.

Buy one only if you are short of money and wanna talk big to your friends that you own an octa core CPU, otherwise stick to the Intel. I owned in the past years AMDs, in games both Intel and AMD are good, in applications (such a DAW) AMD is no match for the Intel.

___________________
Don't argue with idiots because they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience

quote:

Originally posted by dj_alfi Except if AMD chips overheat, they OVERheat. Intel chipsets lowers perfomance, whereas an AMD CPU will just melt, and possibly damaging the motherboard etc. At least that's what they were known for doing, don't know if they've developed new anti-over heating mechanisms. Anyways yeah, been thinking about replacing my workhorse, so this is definitely something to do some reading on.

They have the same problem even with the video cards... Seems that they like the overheat "feature". Don't know maybe they got in mind the North /South Pole and Siberia as a main market.

___________________
Don't argue with idiots because they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience

Hello,

thanks for your reply.

In some senses i agree with the replies here. However, Zambezi is a whole new architecture and AMD have been really pushing the fact its "unlocked" and ripe for overclocking.

In tests, (youtube) they had each core running at 5.8 ghz....but that was experts...a lay man may get the chip to run at maybe 4.5ghz per core with relative ease.

I have also owned both AMD and INTEL over my 15 years or so....i like both brands and find they compete well. However, i must agree that Intel seem to be far more efficient and often compare very well against a higher speed AMD chip. (but they don't compare well on price)

i must be honest though, these are my general thoughts and having an INTEL desktop here i am able to reflect on things. This desktop is a nice chip because it's hyperthreaded. I use Chrome browser which is multi-core and the 3.2 ghz chip can run 20 web tabs without even sweating.

AMD don't have hyperthreading. AMD compete purely on price alone.

6 core Intels, report 12 cores (Hyperthreading) right....a great feature for muli core music tools.

6Icore chips are not too expensive and i am now beginning to sway towards the Intel camp after your comments.

I can get hold of a second hand 6 core chip real easily and at a good price. I can't get hold of a second hand AMD Zambezi 8 core chip.

Second hand cpu chips are good route for me. I have never had an issue with them. This means a music computer can be built for very little cost and even then , some overclocking will further improve things.

yes, it's become more clear to me now.

thanks


Vince.