MAINLY FOR GAMERS (Intel Pentium 4 (Williamete))

Member Name: vincent.buchan

Product:	Intel Pentium 4 (Williamete)
Date:	16/02/02 (167 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Brilliant for gaming purposes

Disadvantages: the price, can't upgrade after 3 months, slow for buisness users

The P4 has almost the biggest hype on the market just now but it really is just the biggest waste of money for buisness users. Alright, I'll give it some slack, it is really good for gamers as it runs pretty smoothly and better than the P3 but it is useless for running programs. I have seen the P3 run programs faster but you would normally think the opposite, wouldn't you? Just because this is a P4 and says it is 1.4GHZ and upwards doesn't mean it will work that fast with all program structures.

The 1.4GHZ+ Malarky

Let's go into detail about the whole MHZ/GHZ terms for the computer newbies. A processor does exactly what it says on the tin, processes. Every different processor or same processor is able to process so many of certain calculations at a time. There are many unique calculations and operations the processor handles.

What does HZ stand for? It simply means hertz. But what does that mean? you ask. Well it is the equivalent of one cycle per second. A 850MHZ P3 is running 600 million cycles a second. Does that mean that since the P4 is claimed to run at 1.4 billion cycles per second its 0.4 times better than a P3 that is running at 1 billion cycles per second? No, because every different processor handles the same programs differently from each other, so the speed stated for the processor is the speed it goes at for a program that works at the best speed with it (I think this is right, at least that is what I was told)

But it says 4, it's bigger than 3

This is the biggest weapon that Intel have on the processor market. The reputation that the Pentium name holds is amazing. It is like choosing a new guitar, what would you rather go for; an Encore starter or a BC Rich Beast that pros use? Exactly. Everyone knows the name Intel and Pentium and it is usually the first processor anyone will check out. Just because this is newer and has a 4 o
the end doesn't make it better. From my experience, the P4 is a step down in the evolutionary ladder. The fastest P3 out just now runs much faster for buisness users but it is brilliant for gamers. It costs a lot more to make ond buy and I don't think I would pay this much just to have faster and smoother gameplay. It really just isn't worth it. In my opinion, it has to exceed something in the region of 2.3GHZ before it is really worth it and would be considered ahead of the rest.

In the other hand, by the time this happens the Pentium boys will have managed to make the P4 hit somewhere in the region of 2.2GHZ, I think the P3 will have dropped so much in price the speed to cost ratio will be in favour of the P3. Right now the Athlon Thunderbird out-performs the P3 but costs more and right now they are trying to reduce the price of it. If this happens, the P3 will be defeated by this.

But I want a Pentium 4 now!

Hold it, if this rather long review hasn't done enough to tell you to wait, Intel has already announced that the current life span on all P4s and their motherboards and chipsets is only 3 months. Yeah, well that is fine and dandy, but what does that mean? Basicly, 3 months from now your motherboard will be non-upgradeable to future p4's and furthermore you will not be able to put your processor in a new motherboard either. Basically anyone who buys a p4 at it's ridiculous cost now (around 200 to 300 pounds) is not only breaking thier bank balance, you won't be able to upgrade to a better processor.

What should be bought instead just now?

If there is still the urge to buy a P4 just because of the reputation and you feel loyal to the Intel and Pentium name, wait until something like july or august. By then the price should have dropped greatly, and your motherboard should still be able to be upgraded when the time comes. If you
feel that you can't wait and you desperately need the power, I advise the Athlon Thunderbird or a good P3. 1GHZ Thunderbirds and 900MHZ P3s go for something in the range of 60 pounds, if you are lucky. I think the best deal right now is the AMD Duron. Excellent speed to price ratio although not the fastest around.

I am going to rate the P4 based on a business point of view. I will rate the others just now as I don't have the time or proper knowledge to write a full review on them. I give the P4 a 2, the Thunderbird a 5/4, the P3 a 4, and a Duron 3 (all this based on performace for a buisness use).

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