AMD is a leader in processing chips.
Among AMD's many different types of processor chips, some are targeted for notebooks only and some are aimed at desktops. But the AMD Athlon and AMD Turion chips are compatible on both desktops and notebooks. Nevertheless, some key differences separate the two, making it simpler to pick one over the other.
System Bus
A PC's system bus connects the central processing unit (CPU) with the memory and other on-board components. The Athlon bus runs at up to 2,000 megahertz (millions of cycles per second) while the Turion hits 1,600 MHz.
Power Consumption
Because the Turion was developed for notebooks then brought over to the desktop, it consumes much less power than the Athlon. Depending on the model, a Turion might need only 25 to 35 watts while the Athlon requires upward of 65 watts to run efficiently.
Cache Size
The cache size of the Turion is double that of the Athlon, so the Turion, at any given time, can hold more data on the chip, allowing it to bring up applications even faster. The Athlon L2 cache is only 256 kilobytes while the Turion's L2 cache is 512 kbytes.
Cost
For the most part, the Athlon is priced below the Turion, though by how much depends on the type of processor. The Athlon, designed for desktops, didn't need to be tightly constructed. The notebook-targeting Turion is more expensive even though it was later ported to desktops because AMD kept their specialized features.
Performance
Turion performance is much higher. It can hoard more power and use less, meaning it will run longer. On top of that, its cache which gives the memory an opportunity to bring things up from the cache rather than having to reload it, substantially cutting down on loading time. The one thing that someone has to ask, though, is whether performance is worth the considerable increase in cost.
Tags: Athlon Turion, while Turion