AMD working on new PC rating method

NEWS

Chipmaker AMD is continuing its fight against the most common way of rating computer performance -- a method that relies on what AMD calls the "megahertz myth". Last summer, the Sunnyvale, California-based company launched its True Performance Initiative, urging consumers to question the notion that a PC with a faster chip will always outperform one with a slower processor. Now AMD says it has joined with other members of the PC industry to develop a new measurement, one that would take various factors into consideration to more accurately reflect the overall performance of a computer. "We've been working with industry leaders today to propose a solution... to come up with a better way for end users to evaluate what they're really getting," Patrick Moorhead, vice president of consumer advocacy for AMD, said on Wednesday -- the same day AMD introduced two new Athlon XP desktop PC processors. Moorhead said AMD is seeking feedback from software developers, as well as from other PC-component makers. Consumers often compare processor clock speeds and prices on various new PCs. But the lowest cost PC with the highest clock speed processor might not always offer the best overall performance, AMD maintains. The company has argued that a less expensive machine with one of its own 1.8GHz Athlon XP 2200+ processors can perform as well or better than a PC using archrival Intel's 2.26GHz Pentium 4 chip. But some PC industry players might ask why another performance measure is needed when a host of PC evaluations and performance information is available. Currently, PC makers can cite a number of measurements, including benchmarks -- tests that score performance based on how quickly the computer handles a certain task -- processor clock speeds; and even the performance of various components, such as memory or graphics cards. But AMD says any one of these measurements tells only part of the story and that trying to juggle all of them only muddies the waters for people intent on bringing home a new PC, especially first-time buyers. It proposes a method that would take all the different factors into consideration and produce an easily digestible rating that buyers could consider at the store, without referring to a host of intimidating reference materials. "Light bulbs have better information about them at the point of sale than PCs," Moorhead said, adding that what's good for customers is good for the business -- currently in the throes of a major sales slump. "A confused buyer is a buyer who sits on the sidelines. That's not good for the industry," he said. Reviewers for magazines and Web sites tend to use benchmarks, such as Business Applications Performance's SYSmark, to measure the performance of desktop PCs. But though some of these tests are designed to measure overall performance, analysts have said they could use an overhaul. "There's a lack of good, independent system-oriented benchmarks," said Dean McCarron, with Mercury Research. McCarron said that as long as it involved the largest PC makers, a new independent body might be able to create a credible test. While most hardware makers are usually eager to join in on new PC industry standards, those contacted by CNET News.com said it was too early to comment on the new proposal, which has not yet been finalised. Intel, for example, said it hasn't yet seen any new proposals regarding performance from AMD. Moorhead said AMD hopes to release the new PC performance measurement by early next year. "We're in analysis mode" right now, he said.

See Chips Central for the latest headlines on processors and semiconductors. To find out more about the computers and hardware that these chips are being used in, see ZDNet UK's Hardware News Section. Have your say instantly, and see what others have said. Go to the Chips Central Forum. Let the Chips Central editor know what you think by email. And sign up for the weekly Chips Central newsletter.

Post your comment

In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in.

You can also log in with Facebook. Log in or create your ZDNet UK account below

By signing up for this service, you indicate that you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and understood our Privacy Policy. Questions about membership? Find the answers in the Community FAQ

ZDNet UK Live

ike fuelband is great for every healthminded person ! to work out! theres this website called textme4free.com that you can use to text anywhere in...

3 hours ago by bordero on Nike's FuelBand wristband gamifies exercise

> I'm told it's somewhat annoying when people have their Macs stolen > and Apple stores treat the thief as the owner, but there you go. Ouch,...

6 hours ago by BrownieBoy on AMD Ultrathins to challenge Intel Ultrabooks

@kevinmchapman. OK, I acknowledge that 'most' was a gratuitous throwaway comment as an afterthought and too presumptuous. As to proof, as you...

10 hours ago by Moley on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint

@BrownieBoy > Works really well for thieves.... >> Nice attempt to deflect the argument by tossing in a point that's totally >> irrelevant, even...

11 hours ago by Jack Schofield on AMD Ultrathins to challenge Intel Ultrabooks

fantastic that the so called piracy bills have been withdrawn. however, these anti-democracy supporters are still in the shadows so lets be alert...

12 hours ago by raskolnikof on SOPA, Protect IP support wavers in face of online protest

Please God no; teach them anything you like - thinking rationally, the uses and misuses of data, what data is and what it's not - but leave the...

14 hours ago by Tony Douglas via Facebook on Kids are the future. Teach ’em to code.

@Jack, > Works really well for thieves.... Nice attempt to deflect the argument by tossing in a point that's totally irrelevant, even it were...

1 day ago by BrownieBoy on AMD Ultrathins to challenge Intel Ultrabooks

Make that 13 people now - I got refused today at Manchester airport. I thought I was up to date on this legislation - I knew of the EU ruling from...

1 day ago by bootlegger on UK airport body scans will not be opt out

Don't forget to check out apps like GoodReader or SlideShark either, they're indispensible for people on the go in presentation situations. Best...

1 day ago by tinycg on Four top iPad apps for people on the move

Well it seems there is something a number of us agree on. Why is the Ubuntu Unity launcher so ugly? I thought perhaps it was something to do with...

2 days ago by TerryRK on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint

Duplicate comments are not made intentionally. Its very good to know that now you are keeping check on this problem because sometimes a commenter...

2 days ago by Freebies202 on Microsoft fixes blog comments, speeds up blogs with open source

"the very significant number of users" and "many (most) of us" - you have no evidence for these statements. It is a fact that most users are saying...

2 days ago by kevinmchapman on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint