Conclusion

In this review we tried to compare the processors from the mainstream pricing segment of the today’s CPU market. The situation here changed when Intel announced its dual-core Pentium D processors. The lowest model in this family working at 2.8GHz costs $241, and hence is qualified formally for use in typical mainstream computer systems. So now the users can choose not only between Athlon 64 and Pentium 4. Among the candidates for this position we now also have Intel Pentium D 820, which performance we have just compared against that of the other solutions falling into the $200-$300 range.

According to our tests, the launch of an inexpensive Intel processor can seriously affect the users’ preferences. Pentium D 820 appears faster than its single-core rivals in a pretty big number of test applications. Although this is mostly true for Pentium 4. Athlon 64 solutions retain their leadership in those tasks where they have been the best. But in many applications where the winner’s laurels used to belong to Pentium 4 CPUs, we now see Pentium D 820 raising the performance bar even higher.

So, with all certainty, we can recommend using the new Pentium D processors for multi-threaded environments and applications optimized for multi-processor systems. In this type of tasks, the new Intel dual-core CPU can show the best results. If you consider yourself a gamer or if you rarely use multi-threaded applications, you should still go for your ideal choice: Athlon 64.

As for the Pentium 4 processors, they sometimes appear faster than the dual-core Pentium D, but only in those tasks where the absolute leadership is already taken by Athlon 64. However, you should also keep in mind a few negative things about the new Pentium D 820. This is primarily the need to buy a new mainboard for it. Unfortunately, Intel’s dual-core newcomer is compatible only with new mainboards on i955/i945 chipsets. And these boards are still not so widely spread and cost quite a bit of money. So, it would be a way too early to cross out the good old Pentium 4, which doesn’t suffer from any compatibility issues.