Benchmark Analysis

In this review, our benchmarking dealt exclusively with AMD and Intel dual core processors, and really illustrated the performance levels of each particular model. In terms of standard desktop and multimedia usage, there was little difference between the performance of the Athlon 64 X2 4600+ and 4200+ Manchester processors, compared to their Athlon 64 X2 4800+ and 4400+ Toledo counterparts. Most of the system and media encoding tests showed very small performance differences, and on some of the memory tests, the 512K L2 cores even outperformed their 1MB big brothers. The comparison to the Intel dual core Pentium EE 840 and Pentium D models is close in some cases, but the Athlon 64 X2 4600+ and 4200+ provided best-in-class performance throughout.

The game benchmarks give us a slightly different take on overall performance. The AMD vs. Intel comparison was not even close, and the top-end Athlon 64 X2 4800+ and 4600+ are truly in a class by themselves, and even the 2.0 GHz Athlon 64 X2 3800+ managed to take it to Intel in the majority of benchmarks. In terms of the Athlon 64 X2 Toledo vs. Manchester battle, many of the high-end games did bring out a larger performance gap between the two core designs, similar to what we have found on Athlon 64 FX vs. Athlon 64 benchmarking. Some game results are closer than others, but on the average, the advantage of the Athlon 64 X2 4800+/4400+, compared to the Athlon 64 X2 4600+/4200+, displays itself mostly in the high-end gaming arena.

Value

Since the release of the Athlon 64 X2, AMD has lowered retail prices significantly and released the mainstream Athlon 64 X2 3800+, all in an effort to make dual core technology more palatable to the masses and to compete with Intel's pricing. The Athlon 64 X2 4600+ and 4200+ are priced at approximately $630 and $400, respectively, making each an excellent value in their respective classes. The Athlon 64 X2 4200+ in particular, is likely the best dual core value on the market, as it provides excellent performance coupled with a mainstream price.

The Athlon 64 X2 4800+ is pushing $800, while the Athlon 64 X2 4400+ is priced at $500, and for standard desktop and multimedia use, you probably won't notice the difference between the Toledo and Manchester cores. Hardcore gamers will still want to go the Toledo core route, and the Pentium D 830 ($320) and 820 ($250) will tempt those looking for the lowest-cost dual core solution. But for everyone in between, the Athlon 64 X2 4600+ and 4200+ offer an attractive entry point into dual core processing, and provide much of the performance of their Toledo cousins, but at a reduced price.

* Please note that these prices were taken at the time of review and are not meant to reflect long-term trends.

Conclusion

The Athlon 64 X2 processors are a big hit with hardware enthusiasts, and for good reason. Not only does AMD offer high-end performance and a multi-tiered product line, but also seamless upgradeability with current Socket 939 platforms. The Athlon 64 X2 Manchester core processors may have half the L2 cache of the 1MB Toledo models, but this doesn't seem to hold it back in standard desktop and multimedia tasks. High-end gaming does give the Athlon 64 X2 4800+ and 4400+ an edge, but with all the cards on the table, it's very tough to beat the price-performance ratio of the Athlon 64 X2 4600+ and 4200+.

Athlon 64 X2 4600+ Ratings

Pros:

• Excellent Multi-Threaded Performance
• Socket 939 Upgradeable
• High-end Gaming Performance

Cons:

• Still Expensive

Ratings:

Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Ratings

Pros:

• Excellent Multi-Threaded Performance
• Seamless Socket 939 Upgrades
• Lower Thermal Power

Cons:

• None

Ratings: