merit. Intel has had the 800 MHz FSB for some time now, also hyperthreading. Their CPU's also run at substantially faster clock rate than the AMD's.
AMD CPU's still outperform them with some applications. The Cache and the architecture of the CPU design is what makes the difference. Some say the very long pipeline in the Intel CPU's turned out to not be that great.
The 64 bit AMD's run 32 bit code every bit as well as Intel CPU's.
There is NO architecture that is that is best for all possible types of applications.
Also note that the AMD 64 bit CPU's have the MCH [memory Controller Hub] inside the CPU rather than in the Northbridge chip. Thus the FSB is a moot point. Located on the CPU die means that it can run as fast as the interior of the CPU, it's speed is not limited by the length of the printed circuit lines between the Northbridge and the CPU. {Intel calls the Northbridge the MCH].
This is to post a comment about the reference.
I recognize that AMD is a better microprocessor than Intel. However, AMD made a mistake: they switch to 64bit before time.
Inlet then stay within the 32 bits and get to the 800MHZ FSB. Now (for me) with this latter one can make the fastest system, despite that the highest video card memory speed is 533MHZ, AND probably one may use a 7,200 rpm or SATA HDD (unless one used a SCSI HDD).
Someone may argue that a 64bit system may be faster. I doubt it. Even when one can have a MB FSB and Video Memory running at 1.6GHZ... the fact that is a 64 bits system, the effective data transfer capability is cut in a half... 800MHZ of a 32 bits system because of the lenght of the "word" (64 bits long).
See it this way... what takes you more time... to write a few words or a whole sentence? A whole sentence. Therefore, the 64 bits system spend more physical time writing the instruction than a 32 bits system. Assuming that ALL system RAM (including video) and HDD could used the maximum FSB, then both system will have the same data transfer capacity per physical unit time. Therefore, they are the same from a functional standpoint!
As a consequence, despite that I dont like Intet, in this particular moment in PC history, I vote for them.

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