AMD vs Intel CPU for Matlab Computation Time

Which processors work better for matlab? Say for example, one runs mostly single threaded applications. When one goes to http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/AMD-FX-9590-vs-Intel-Core-i7-4790K/1812vs2384

It says the 4790k is better, despite having lower clock speeds than the 9590.

What would be better to buy, an AMD FX 9590, (4.7GHz x 8 cores) or a 4790k (4 GHz @ 4 Cores) ?

Answer 1

[Brendan Hamm]

Generally when it comes to mathematical computing the AMDs are the preferable card. While this is a judgement decision as I do not have both cards to compare, I would go with the AMD. Make sure you have enough cooling for that beast though!

[Max]

Why are AMD's preferable to Intel CPUs for mathematical calculations?

[Star Strider]

For what it’s worth, AMD chips are preferred in the gaming community. Games are both computation and graphics intensive.

Answer 2

[ALEX]

Hi Max, I am also curious about this because my work would defiantly benefit from faster computing. I haven't made a decision about the type of processor but I am leaning toward the Intel processor because of information that I found to show that the software runs better on an Intel computer. This is real issue with most software because parallel processing is just not an option.

Here is a comparison, http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fx-power-consumption-efficiency,3060-10.html

Even though the core clock speed was faster on the AMD in this study, the perform was better in a number of different categories with the Intel chip. You can believe this or not, who knows how accurate the Internet is? If you do have some real data, please let me know.

Thanks, Alex

[Max]

Alex I never did find any kind of convincing answer. If I was really smart I would have emailed Mathworks directly and asked them, which I recommend you do.

I decided on the i7-4790k because it used a lot less watts than the AMD chips. Since I am running calculations for days on end the heat produced is a very important consideration.

[Brendan Hamm]

I am really surprised by these results but I generally trust Tom's Hardware for. I ran a benchmark (2015a) test on my machine:

AMD-FX-8150 8-core 3.6 GHz on a Windows 7 Ultimate machine

In the attached result, it does appear that the Intels listed are better at many of the tasks. It does appear that there is quite a difference in each machine based upon non-cpu factors, so I suppose the whole machine must be taken into consideration. My cpu is a little old at this point, and not as good as some of the later cpus such as the Phenom.