The Intel Pentium 4 and AMD Athlon XP are both processors you might choose if you are building a new computer under a strict budget or for someone who has no need for a computer that can perform complicated tasks. Learning the differences between these processors can help you choose the one that will be best for your new computer.
Specifications
The Athlon XP 3200+ is clocked at 2,200 MHz, has 512 KB of cache, and runs on a 400 MHz system bus, while the Pentium 4 HT 661 has a speed of 3,600 MHz, a 2 MB cache, and a bus speed of 800 MHz. Additionally, the Pentium supports a proprietary Intel technology called hyper-threading, which allows the operating system to see one processor as two and improves the speed of some applications.
Price
Neither the Athlon 3200+ nor the Pentium 4 HT 661 is still being produced, so it will be necessary to buy whichever processor you prefer on the secondary market. As of the latter half of 2009, the Athlon can be purchased for approximately $70, while the Pentium costs about $90. Shop around for the lowest price; you may be able to reduce your cost significantly by buying a used unit.
Compatibility
Select the correct motherboard for your processor by examining its specifications carefully. The Pentium 4 HT 661 requires a motherboard with an LGA775 socket, while the Athlon requires a Socket A (also known as Socket 462) motherboard. Check the motherboard manufacturer's website to confirm that the processor you intend to purchase will be supported.
Heat and Noise
If you are concerned about the heat and noise produced by a computer, be aware that the Athlon XP 3200+ and Pentium 4 HT 661 differ slightly in this area. The CPU cooler paired with the Athlon must be able to dissipate 76.8 W of heat, while the cooler used for the Pentium 4 must dissipate 86 W. This means that the Pentium 4 may run as much as 11.9 percent hotter when operating under full load. The more powerful a CPU cooler is, the louder it generally is. Choose the Athlon for a processor that is likely to create less heat and noise.
Performance
Comparing the Athlon XP 3200+ and Pentium 4 HT 661, the processors provide similar performance in many productivity and general use applications. Benchmarks in Microsoft Word and iTunes show that the processors perform similarly. However, the Pentium 4 easily surpasses the Athlon in games, giving a performance boost of 11 percent in "Serious Sam 2," and a massive 32 percent increase in "Call of Duty 2." For gaming, the Pentium 4 HT 661 is clearly superior to the Athlon XP 3200+.
Tags: Athlon 3200, 3200 Pentium, Athlon 3200 Pentium, while Pentium