Intel i3 vs. AMD A6

[FirstNissan]

Hi,
Im looking at getting a new computer. I use it mainly for work, streaming netflix, some multitasking (multiple browsers open), no gaming though.

Im looking at Intel i3 and AMD A6 processors. Im wondering about the power consumption of these, intel states 65W while AMD states 95+W. Does this mean that when the copmuter is on, its using its full wattage, because that would get expensive in the long run.

Which one do you guys recommend?

 

[yonyon]

That 65 or 95 is the maximum wattage that the CPU alone (the rest of the computer excluded) will use under heavy load. Most home PCs aren't going to see a lot of heavy load. At lighter loads though, the Intel is probably still going to drink less juice.

Edit:
I would expect the Intel costs less to feed, but should you decide to upgrade in the future you're likely to have better low cost options available in AMD-land.

 

[DemoFly]

The A6 is a better all around chip , but for the work you are doing, the i3 is a much better performer.

In the simple single threaded workloads the i3 is much faster. However, I also think both are completely overkill.

I don't know what your system is now, but if it's newer you'll probably see the most performance gain by fast ram (8GB) and not using a page file. Your workload is mostly hard drive and memory, very little CPU.

If you want maximum performance for your needs per watt I would build a system similar to this.

ASRock E350 Motherboard + APU 1.6Ghz Dual Core - 17W TDP
Crucial 8GB (4x2) DDR3-1333 CL7 @ 1.5v
Crucial M4 64GB SSD

Combined system power usage, full load, at the outlet should be ~50W. I actually built this system for my parents and they stream 1080p, and do everything they need to just fine.

Just an idea to kick around.

EDIT: Well, my parents system is a little different, they have a HDD instead of an SSD.

 

[SrDriver]

+1 on the A6 Chip. Graphics is also a + with the A6.

Wife has a laptop with it and loves it and the graphics.

 

[Toy4x4]

Here is a performance chart: http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html .

I've been using AMD on my last couple of builds, but will be going with Intel on my next soon-to-be build. From what I've read, it seems like Intel is the better way to go.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Toy4x4
Here is a performance chart: http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html .

I've been using AMD on my last couple of builds, but will be going with Intel on my next soon-to-be build. From what I've read, it seems like Intel is the better way to go.


Yes, performance-wise, Intel is dominating AMD hardcore.