Saturday, March 20, 2004
Intel to Use Model Numbers, Not Mhz
Posted by Jonathon Watkins in "OFF-TOPIC" @ 11:00 PM
'Megahertz myth' is a phrase that various folks (AMD & Apple especially) have been bandying around for a while. About two years ago AMD changed from rating their CPUs by actual Mhz, to an equivalent rating, and then recently moved to model numbers for the Opterons (AMD-64 processors). Well, in May, Intel is also planning to change the marketing for most of their line-up to a chip-numbering system.
"Intel later this year will adopt a new system for differentiating its processors that de-emphasizes the widely used gigahertz, or clock speed. Sources familiar with Intel's plans said that the chipmaker in May will begin affixing each of its new processors with a number designed to help consumers decipher how the features stack up against other processors in the same family. Intel will use numbers in the ranges of 300, 500 and 700, similar to the model numbers BMW uses on its sedans." So, you'll get the high model numbers roaring up close behind you, flashing you with their headlights and beeping on their horns then? Ah – so not exactly like BMWs then. :wink:
"The new system is a dramatic change in Intel's marketing approach because it takes emphasis away from using clock speed as a main measure of performance. Instead, the system will strive to create a scenario in which a person choosing between several 300 series chips, for example, equates the decision to an exercise in choosing a good, better or best processor, sources familiar with the plan said." So then, one best processor to go, hold the Celeron. :lol:
"Intel's Dothan Pentium M chips will be grouped inside the 700 series, the sources said. Its 500 series will include both desktop and mobile Pentium 4 chips, and its 300 series will include desktop and mobile Celeron chips. The company is most likely to label each chip with its family name, such as Pentium M, first. Its processor number, such as 700, will follow. Then Intel will list clock speed, cache size, bus speed and other features that impact performance. A chip with even only one different feature, such as a slower or faster bus speed than others, would likely get a different number in order to set it apart".
With a mobile Pentium M at 1.4Ghz beating a Pentium IV at many tasks at 2Ghz, it's not surprising that people can get confused. AMD really do seem to be making the running at the moment in terms of initiatives. Intel have adopted 64 bit x86 processing and now this model numbering methodology. Does the model system number make sense to you guys, or do you reckon we will be soon be pining for the days when relative CPU performance was 'simple' to understand? :?:
"Intel later this year will adopt a new system for differentiating its processors that de-emphasizes the widely used gigahertz, or clock speed. Sources familiar with Intel's plans said that the chipmaker in May will begin affixing each of its new processors with a number designed to help consumers decipher how the features stack up against other processors in the same family. Intel will use numbers in the ranges of 300, 500 and 700, similar to the model numbers BMW uses on its sedans." So, you'll get the high model numbers roaring up close behind you, flashing you with their headlights and beeping on their horns then? Ah – so not exactly like BMWs then. :wink:
"The new system is a dramatic change in Intel's marketing approach because it takes emphasis away from using clock speed as a main measure of performance. Instead, the system will strive to create a scenario in which a person choosing between several 300 series chips, for example, equates the decision to an exercise in choosing a good, better or best processor, sources familiar with the plan said." So then, one best processor to go, hold the Celeron. :lol:
"Intel's Dothan Pentium M chips will be grouped inside the 700 series, the sources said. Its 500 series will include both desktop and mobile Pentium 4 chips, and its 300 series will include desktop and mobile Celeron chips. The company is most likely to label each chip with its family name, such as Pentium M, first. Its processor number, such as 700, will follow. Then Intel will list clock speed, cache size, bus speed and other features that impact performance. A chip with even only one different feature, such as a slower or faster bus speed than others, would likely get a different number in order to set it apart".
With a mobile Pentium M at 1.4Ghz beating a Pentium IV at many tasks at 2Ghz, it's not surprising that people can get confused. AMD really do seem to be making the running at the moment in terms of initiatives. Intel have adopted 64 bit x86 processing and now this model numbering methodology. Does the model system number make sense to you guys, or do you reckon we will be soon be pining for the days when relative CPU performance was 'simple' to understand? :?:
