CPU: AMD Athlon 3000+ Review :: Conclusion

As you can see from the test results AMD has come up with a viable weapon against the P4 3.06GHz in terms of raw performance ability but price wise it is still quite an expensive CPU. In the past AMD has always used the out price the other guy strategy that is not observed here. One AMD spokesperson claimed if the chip works the same it should be price equivalently with the competition, an attitude of a different direction for AMD usually being the price breaker in the CPU wars. I just hope the AMD crowd agrees with this sentiment as this is a turning point in AMD's long road to success.

I have to say I was very impressed overall with how well the system ran not to mention the stability and compatibility of the entire test platform. Heat always an enemy in the AMD camp seems to be curtailed with the new Barton core based chips something that will allow for a more reliable platform and give room for human or fan errors to not be terminally fatal. All programs and software performed very well with no Blue screens or other errors to report.

Overall I think AMD has done a very good job with the new Barton core from what I have seen. There are a lot of motherboards out there that will need a BIOS update to enable their motherboards to correctly identify the CPU as a 3000+ so get ready to do a little flashing. Price is the only thing that may deter some fans away as AMD has always been the budget minded consumers friend. I am sure we will soon be seeing the latest overclocking techniques applied by the various tech junkies out there in geekville which will shed even further light as to how far the new Barton core CPU's can be pushed. Good job AMD you did it really right this time around!

Doc out