Why the huge difference in CPU prices?

[Tohst]

I've been looking at CPUs, and have been noticing large differences in prices between seemingly similar processors. Especially when comparing AMD processors to Intel's. Why is this?

For example, this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113331

AMD 4.1 GHz quad core is $140 and this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116899

Intel 3.4GHz quad core is $240? Why the difference in price? What differs between the 2 CPUs? Is there really that much of a performance increase?

 

[rolli59]

Yes there is a massive performance difference the FX 4xxx is in competition with I3 and the I5 beats AMD FX8xxx 8 core series in most tasks.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/700?vs=837

 

[Moonsfang]

You cant base it soley on core count and speed in Ghz. Processors have ever changing microarchitectures. These microarchitectures can be older or newer and provide completely different methods of processing either being more or less efficient. The only real way you can compare two processors (besides benchmarks) is if both processors have the same microarchitecture then you can compare core count and Ghz. For instance the intel dual core E8400 runs 2 cores at 3.0Ghz. However the i7 920 runs 4 cores at 2.6Ghz. The E8400 should by all means be faster in single tasks if your just comparing the speed. However bloomfield was such a more efficient architecture that it made it much faster. I've seen people OC some processors to over 5Ghz and beyond.. But if there is a more efficient architecture then that 5Ghz can be easily outclassed by something much slower.

 

[Tohst]

I knew there were other things to consider about CPUs, just didn't know what. Thanks.

What is a microarchitecture? Just the way the chip is designed/made? The smaller the nm the better, correct?