CPU clock speeds explaining

[QuadNine]

So I understand that Intel CPU cores are much more powerful than the AMD ones, but what about them makes them more powerful. The AMD CPU cores are clocked higher, and I understand that Clock speed is not just what makes a CPU fast. So could you guys explain what is  it that makes a CPU fast, not just clock speed.

Thanks Broski's

[SpagettiNinja]

Ehm, no. AMD CPU cores are clocked lower. But they have more cores, so they get a higher total speed. But this wont matter at all for games and such, where only a few cores are utilized. Since gaming only uses a few cores, Intel is better because they have stronger single-core performance, while AMD could be better for rendering and such where you have programs that use all available cores.

[WinNut]

AMD processors have a lower IPC (Instructions Per Clock). That means that the CPU carries out less instructions for each cycle that it performs.

[CyanideInsanity]

Ehm, no. AMD CPU cores are clocked lower. But they have more cores, so they get a higher total speed. But this wont matter at all for games and such, where only a few cores are utilized. Since gaming only uses a few cores, Intel is better because they have stronger single-core performance, while AMD could be better for rendering and such where you have programs that use all available cores.

Not completely true. Some are clocked faster, like the fx-9590 I just saw newegg at 4.7ghz. The icp is what amd cpus aren't faster than intel when compared as said above. They are faster on the actual cycles, but each cycle does less than compared to intel.

 

Ok I kind of messed up. That cpu isn't a proper contender since it doesn't come with a heatsink... So I haven't look at amd cpu's much before but I do believe they hit 4ghz stock before intel. Also wasn't the i7 4790 one of their first consumer grade at 4ghz

[QuadNine]

Ehm, no. AMD CPU cores are clocked lower. But they have more cores, so they get a higher total speed. But this wont matter at all for games and such, where only a few cores are utilized. Since gaming only uses a few cores, Intel is better because they have stronger single-core performance, while AMD could be better for rendering and such where you have programs that use all available cores.

I was wondering why they have stronger single core performance

[ItsAFeature]

I was wondering why they have stronger single core performance

 

WinNut gave you the correct answer to why Intel CPUs are generally better for gaming. Few games utilize the core numerical advantage of AMD's FX line over Intel's mainstream lineup of Core i processors. So if the game only runs on 3-4 cores anyways, it comes down to which processor has the faster per-core performance. Clock for clock, Intel has a higher IPC (instructions per cycle) so the cores in an Intel processor can do more work in a cycle than AMD's FX cores can. So the AMD core would have to be clocked a fair bit higher to have the same per-core performance as its Intel counterpart. Usually the clock speeds are too close and that gives the advantage to Intel.

 

In the real world (outside of benchmarks), I'd say that for the most part you won't really notice a difference in your game between the comparable Intel and AMD products. 9 times out of 10 you're bottlenecked by your GPU.