Performance-Power Rating Designers Can Really Use
The Problem with Clock Speed
For years, processor manufacturers and industry-standards groups have described
CPUs based on clock speed, typically in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). These
speeds provide a simple, straightforward number to rate capacity and performance
and have been an easy way to rank and compare processors across the industry.
But despite its simplicity, clock speed alone isn’t an accurate way to
evaluate the overall performance of a computer processor. Different microprocessors
produced by different manufacturers have many variables – memory bandwidth,
file system architecture, cache speed and size, and available headroom, as well
as raw CPU power and more. Microprocessors act differently in varying system
configurations, as well. These can be determined by hard-drive storage space,
multimedia performance, graphics processing, etc.
Changing The Norms
AMD believes that processor names should accurately reflect
true performance capacity and power that goes beyond raw MHz alone – in
order to give system designers a more accurate way to specify the right processor
for each task.
To do this, we contracted with Synchromesh computing to conduct an extensive study
of our AMD Geode™ processors – by measuring overall performance using
a number of industry-standard benchmarks. These evaluations compared how each
AMD Geode processor performed against other x86 embedded processors.
As a result of Synchromesh’s work, we have given model numbers to each
of the AMD Geode™ processors to more accurately reflect their true performance.
In addition, we have added a power component to the name to reflect the typical
core operating power to highlight the importance of power as well as performance.
Customer Benefit
Using these new model numbers, system designers will be able to quickly select
the best AMD Geode™ processor for their application. Also, by highlighting
other factors beyond clock speed, designers will be empowered to select a processor
based on the desired features and power requirements rather than perceived performance
based on the MHz myth.
The results will be improved overall design – due to simplified processor
selection – resulting in greater cost efficiencies from integration and
low power. End users can also expect enhanced versatility because this introduces
a whole new class of low-power x86 processors to markets that have made due
with existing sub-optimized solutions.
Numbers That Really Mean Something
The Synchromesh benchmark graphics and white paper provide the foundation for
the redesignated AMD Geode™ Solutions processors by showing that these
CPUs can outperform other processors with higher clock speeds. One study, for
example, shows that a 1GHz AMD Geode™ NX processor effectively delivers
1.6GHz of performance in comparison with another processor running at 1GHz.
To view the Synchromesh Computing white paper and benchmarks, click the links on the right.
Conclusion
When you choose an AMD Geode™ processor, you can rest assured that the component
will deliver true, accurate and fair performance based on the processor name.
Both overall performance and power ratings are included to enable more confident
design and operation of the end product.
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