Wow.. I have alot more I need to learn about processors. I thought speeds on an x86 platform could be compared to ARM directly (1:1). Apparantly not though.. So it's more like 1Ghz on x86 = something like 600 Mhz on ARM?

A 1:0.6 ratio is no more useful than a 1:1 ratio. It depends entirely on the individual processors being considered and the tasks being run on them.

No way! See: Megahertz myth. Its only valid if you compare the very same architecture and revision (including stepping), but you're comparing a RISC with a CISC. In general, MHz compare is worthless and an Intel marketing tool, and this purely false advertising (as done in compares versus Alpha, MIPS, and POWER) and is why AMD quit mentioning MHz/GHz. Besides, it also matters what you're calculating, e.g. fp vs int.

There are other ways to calculate, such as MIPS, but the only way to figure it out is 1) user experiences (although these are not objective they give an estimate/indication; problem is different software is used, and its as perceived; not really a benchmark) 2) benchmarks. Basically the only valid option. Period.

Well said!
Acked-by: TA-t3