Intel vs. AMD FX for BOINC CPU computing

teev2 · January 12, 2015

This is something I have been wondering about for a while.

AMD FX line CPUs have a lot of cores and thus can run many simultaneous work units for a low price.

Intel CPUs have fewer cores but, for the most part, have better performance per core for the same price.

Which is better for BOINC at a given price point? For example, an AMD FX-8320 (8 core) can be had for roughly $120 right now. The closest Intel I could find at that price is an i3 41xx (dual core with hyperthreading).

How do they compare? Is it different at higher/lower price points? Can the current Intel's faster individual cores outperform the FX 6xxx and 8xxx lines for the same price?

Aniallation · January 12, 2015

Which is better for BOINC at a given price point? For example, an AMD FX-8320 (8 core) can be had for roughly $120 right now. The closest Intel I could find at that price is an i3 41xx (dual core with hyperthreading).

How do they compare? Is it different at higher/lower price points? Can the current Intel's faster individual cores outperform the FX 6xxx and 8xxx lines for the same price?

I don't know about how BOINC works, but for CPU-heavy workloads that can utilize as many threads as given, the FX definitely will be a better choice for the money then the i3.