AMD has an incredible start to the year; Intel comes out in the 3Q with
the
chip they should have had years ago, and battles back, AMD trails 3Q/4Q
until QuadCores make a "limited" release in Dec. 06.
This is not a prediction but why can't home computers level out in
performance like cars did? True, the newer cars get more MPG than the
older ones and now a 4 cylinder is adequate for small cars and Interstate
speeds.
I would love to see a self-repairing Windows that never needs reinstalling
and enough security for adequate protection. But isn't our hardware fast
enough for normal computing needs? My P4 3.0 GHz sure is! For about 3
years I have been happy with it. I am not sitting here now wishing it
would run faster.
The problem is that "normal" changes so frequently.
Normal for some may be typing in Word, browsing the net, and checking email.
For them, yeah, a 3.0 P4 is more than enough.
For myself...video encoding, HD processing, virtual machines, etc...requires
vastly different specs, and never stops requiring more. I started last year
with a dual 2800+, upgraded to an A64 3000+ at 2.61GHz (~4000+), then to an
A64 dual core 2.45GHz. And it still isn't enough.
Plus, that P4/3.0 wouldn't even be able to handle PLAYBACK of a high
resolution H.264 video stream. Gaming, of course, is a completely separate
argument.
Bottom line...if you use your PC as a pure information tool, then a P4/3.0
will serve for a long time. If you use it for ANYTHING else--content
production or entertainment--it is already underpowered.
Greg
