[antiRepublicrat]

but we can still compare raw performance.

Since you love Intel processors, tell me how an Intel Itanium 2 at 1.6 GHz will outperform an Intel Xeon at 3.6 GHz or a Pentium 4 at 3.8 GHz.

I'll tell you how: different architectures.

[KwasiOwusu]

"Since you love Intel processors, tell me how an Intel Itanium 2 at 1.6 GHz will outperform an Intel Xeon at 3.6 GHz or a Pentium 4 at 3.8 GHz.
I'll tell you how: different architectures."

Of course they are different architectures.
Itanium is 64 bit for starters.
But do we have computer mags run standards tests on standard applications comparing systems with those 2 different processors? Of course we do.
Which is the point I was making.

As to which of the above is fastest, I have to see a proper standardized test of systems based on the 2 systems before I can possibly comment on that.