Am I correct to assume that the scorecard
rankings or scores you give the various CPUs (for example you give the
Pentium 166 MMX a score of 440 and the Pentium III 500 a score of 1650)
are based on performance alone and that you only compare the
performance/price of a CPU using the colour codes of red, yellow, green
and flashing green to provide further "value" information (best
buy)?
I assume this because there are some CPUs that are listed as best buys,
but having a lower score than other CPUs (for example, the Pentium III 500
is given a code of yellow or FAIR, but it has the highest score of all the
CPUs).
You are correct. The numerical CPU Scores
at the ends of the coloured bars represent relative performance only. In
the current list, Intel's Pentium III 500 is the highest scoring CPU,
based on Intel's iCOMP index (linked to
the score). The colour-coding is an attempt at providing more
subjective "best buy" information, based on CPU performance,
component price, and system pricing.
The CPU Scorecard always shows which CPUs
are the fastest. If that's what you want, that's what you'll pay for. For
most people, however, price is also an issue. Oftentimes, slightly slower
CPU systems can provide very acceptable performance for a much reduced
cost. And cost savings on the particular CPU inside can go toward
increased hard disk space, memory, video performance, monitor size, or
other components that can be at least as important to the usefulness of a
particular computer.
The goal of the CPU Scorecard is to present the
complex details of CPU performance and pricing in a concise and accessible
fashion. Knowing that there's always room for improvement, we will
continue to strive for a clearer presentation of the information you find
most useful.
The CPU
Scorecard assumes no risk or liability for damage or loss due to
the use of the information or advice provided here. All responses are
based on the best available information at the time of writing. However,
users of this information who wish to apply it to their computer
situations do so at their own risk.
