| Author: |
Jason Jacobs |
| Date: |
2006.07.07 |
| Topic: |
Hardware |
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Business Sense
If your business is anything like mine, then the average users open more e-mails than instances of Sisoft Sandra, they encode MP3s less than they listen to them, and they are not sitting around playing Doom 3 all day. Now, I know the gamers out there are moaning that scores are their lifeblood and they need all the speed they can get. To them, I suggest they take a closer look at their video choice than their processor, as most any Intel 3.0 GHz and up and any AMD 64 3000+ and up will produce enough computing power for their games.
In making decisions on which processor will be at the heart of the machines, I suggest that clients take more than the speed into mind.
Processor Factors:
- What features does the client need? Ex: 64-bit, NX bit, dual core vs. single, etc.
- What is the machine's primary role?
- What is the budget?
- Is there an IT refresh plan in place? And what is the timeframe before this machine is replaced? (I.E. How long does this machine need to last?)
- What other components will round out this system? As MS's Vista Performance Rating Tool indirectly points out, a system is only as strong as it's weakest component.
Company Factors:
- Does the company stand behind its product?
- What is the warranty?
- Is the company likely to be around for the long term?
- What has this company contributed to the market and this technology?
- Is this company the innovator or the copier?
- Does the company have a commitment to me and my needs?
Conclusion:
This article is not meant to pit AMD against Intel. Instead, I hope that you walk away from this with the mindset that upgrading is not always necessary. You should have a clear idea of what you expect out of the processor you select other than bragging rights for owning the latest that AMD or Intel has to offer. Bragging rights usually don't last too long in the processor market. Finally unless your machine is a year or older I would suggest waiting 'till the dust settles. By doing this, you will give the market a chance to see lower prices, and you will have a chance to see how the product fairs in real-life use. A month or two after launch, there is usually much more information available about the performance and practicality of particular products, and how they fare in a number of different configurations.
