I never had a chance to play with my Northwood 2.2 GHz Engineering Sample. One of the guys from work "borrowed it" and I didn't think much of it because I was perfectly happy with the 1.9 GHz I was using. For those who think that I'm insane for not being over excited about being in posession of the newest, fastest Pentium 4, I've got one thing to say to you: I'VE BEEN BUSY.
But after reading
this article on CNet's site, I was kind of itching to get the CPU back and give it a real chance!
The new CPU features twice the cache, thus faster than if there was a 2.2 GHz of the Willamette flavor (which there won't be) and should be cheaper due to the .13u manufacturing process.
At well over $500, the 2.2 GHz is still a significant price hike beyond AMD's XP 2000+ at only $375, but keep in mind that the fastest XP is only running at 1.66 GHz, and the price of all of the Willamette based P4s will drop significantly.
Speaking of Athlon XP... When the whole Pentium 4 line goes Northwood, will AMD change the name of all of their XP processors to reflect how they benchmark against the Northwood as opposed to the Willamette? Hmmm.... Of course, I'm just kidding. I know the 1.3u Thoroughbred is right around the corner!
The Northwood to hit the streets on Monday
Linear Mode
