Technology: There's More to the Inside Than Intel

Anthony S. Diecidue, O.D., M.S.

As the new millennium nears, most computer users know to inquire about Y2K compliance in any new computer they 92re considering. Just as important, but seldom asked is, "What processor does it have?" Most  consumers are unaware that they have a choice. Madison Avenue has done a good job convincing us that "Intel Inside" is important.

Once the lone major manufacturer of PC-based processors, Intel Corporation has in recent years seen other processors appear to rival, even surpass its standards. Who are these other upstarts? What can they do that an Intel CPU can 92t? If you 92re considering a new computer, read on for the answers to those questions.

INTEL

First, you should know what Intel97still the biggest97 has to offer. Increasing market demand has pushed Intel and other  manufacturers to produce better, faster and cheaper processors. Intel  currently has three offerings for PCs.

The first is the Pentium line. Pentium CPUs were a major leap in  processor technology when they were first introduced. Faster than their older 486 predecessors, they could handle faster clock (MHz) speeds and  process twice as much throughput as the same speed 486 CPU. Pentium  processors are still available on entry-level computers and are a good  bargain.

Intel92s next entry was the Pentium II. Based on all new technology  and design, it boasts more speed (up to 450 MHz at this writing), MMX  technology and 57 new instructions to enhance performance. Pentium II  processors are targeted for professionals, avid PC users and PC gamers.  Intel92s MMX technology unleashes the full multimedia capabilities of  these processors including full-screen, full-motion video, enhanced  color and realistic graphics. This processor has more than 7.5 million  transistors.

The latest for Intel is the Celeron processor. This CPU is available  in speeds of 266, 300 and 333 MHz, and is based on the same  micro-architecture as the Pentium II. The Celeron processor is made for  "basic PC" use. It boasts MMX technology and Intel92s highest level of  multimedia, integer and floating point performance, but it92s priced  for "average" or home use. If you seek the newest technology but want  to keep the costs down, this is the processor to look at.

For more information about Intel Corporation, go to http://www.intel.com/.

AMD

American Micro Devices (AMD) has been producing CPUs for many years.   Compatibility issues slowed their initial market entry, but they have carved out a considerable share of the market by producing  high-quality, rock-solid CPUs. They have a large offering of processors  mimicking Intel92s, but their latest definitely merits a look.

In August AMD started shipping its K6-2 processor with 3DNow!  technology. This processor is available in 350 MHz and soon to be  released 400 MHz speed. It incorporates 9.3 million transistors and 57  new instructions designed to "adrenalize" multimedia applications. In  tests it surpassed Pentium II processors of the same speed in  performance on mainstream business applications. With a set of 21 new  instructions 3DNow! technology is the first innovation to this new  generation of processors that AMD says significantly enhances 3D  graphics and multimedia. You will see this processor on IBM Aptiva E4N  and others as time passes. It92s generally less expensive than the  same-speed Pentium II. It will turn up in systems targeted to home and  business users.

AMD92s workhorse is the K-6, available in 200-300 MHz speeds and  has MMX technology. AMD calls it "competitive" with the Pentium II  processors and a better performer for the price. In fact, AMD boasts an  AMD-K6/200-based PC that delivers better Windows performance than a  Celeron 300-based PC. The K-6 is significantly faster than its Intel cousin. Complete systems configured with the K-6 processor should cost  less than those made with "Intel Inside."

For more information about American Micro Devices, go to http://www.amd.com/.

CYRIX

Cyrix has produced and developed nearly a dozen original processor  designs in the last decade for millions of computers worldwide. They  feature three separate families of processors for every need.

The 6x86MX processor is an MMX-enhanced CPU that competes with  Pentium processors. The 6x86MX processor incorporates MMX technology to  run the latest MMX games and multimedia software. It features enhanced  memory management, a 64-KByte internal cache and other advanced  architectural features. The 6x86MX processor achieves higher  performance for better value than competitive processors, and performs  respectably when tested against a Pentium II.

Cyrix92s new MediaGX processor is in a class by itself. It92s made  especially for notebooks, mini-computers and even cash registers, and  incorporates functions usually relegated to separate add-on boards such  as video (graphics), sound and memory control. It also has MPEG-1  support and game port control, all built into the processor. This means  more efficient, faster processing. Since all the data pertaining to  these functions are within the CPU, it can process this data at the   megahertz of the chip, not the bus speed of the motherboard (which is  half the speed or less). If you92re considering a notebook computer,  look for this chip inside.

Like AMD92s K-6, the Cyrix MII processor is set to compete with  Intel92s Celeron processor. It is available in speeds of 300 and 333  MHz and features MMX technology, enhanced memory management and other  state-of-the-art architectural features to achieve higher performance.  At 300 MHz, the MII achieved higher performance than a similarly rated  Celeron. At 333 MHz, the two processors had comparable performance, so  computer dealers can offer MII-300 processor-based systems with  performance comparable to Celeron-based systems for less. Last October  Cyrix revealed the architecture for its new family of processors called  Jalapeņo. These processors will travel at speeds between 600 and  800 MHz and will be available in the fourth quarter this year.

For more information about Cyrix Corporation USA, go to http://www.cyrix.com/.

Intel makes good reliable processors, but they are not alone anymore. Before you purchase that new computer, know what is inside.