Well if its as fast as a 2600k, thats a pretty damn good chip, though might depend on the size.
I've been saying for a while, we're not just looking at cores anymore, you have to consider whats in them. 2600k = 4 x 4 issue cores = 16 instruction maximum per clock.
Bulldozer, 8 x 2 issue cores = 16 instruction maximum per clock.
Keep in mind that filling a 4 issue core is MUCH harder than filling a 2 issue core, so getting 16 instructions is easier from 8 2 issue cores, the problem then becomes, needing 8 threads. Of course plenty of other stuff is constantly done in the background while loading the other cores, less sharing and less interuptions are a good thing for performance. HT helps the 2600k act more like a Bulldozer, as you can push 8 2 issue threads through a 2600K.
But thats VERY basic, each issue can be faster than on another core. if you've got 8 threads that can fill two issues, it will likely run significantly faster on the Bulldozer than the 2600k, though certainly not always.
It depends how Vantage works really as too if it favours one architecture over another. Also its a system benchmark not just a cpu benchmark meaning limits occur elsewhere, both cpu's in those benchmarks(bulldozer and 2600k) could have hit other hardware limits so show the same score.
Slightly more relevant is the Bulldozer vs hex core with the same gpu benchmark, a significant increase in a not altogether cpu limited benchmark is really quite impressive.
Maybe most importantly is cost, AMD tends to focus all their marketing over the overall feel of your computer at any given cost, rather than flat out performance. Are they hinting that a hexcore Phenom + 6670 will cost close to a 2600k, which will be in the same price range as a Bulldozer + 6670?
Ultimately AMD and Intel are at architecture's now that are as different as AMD and Nvidia. If its an 8 core, or a 88 core, those are just terms, they don't signify performance. Bulldozer matches or beats the 2600k, and costs the same or less and it is a win for AMD. If its slower than a 2600k but costs the same or more to produce AND has to be sold for less due to performance, it will be a massive fail for AMD.
I think in the same vain as Nvidia vs AMD now on the GPU front, the different architectures will shine in different software, so one benchmark won't come close to telling the whole story.
The most likely situation is, worst case situations bulldozer is very close toa 2600k, and best case(8 thread, not good in HT) Bulldozer could have a significant lead, if they can provide all that inside a slightly better priced chip than Intel, its a win for us. Cheaper mobo's, cheaper chip, same or more performance, whats to hate.
Something I find quite, irksome about Sandybridge is the IGP, paying for it even if you don't, or even CAN'T use it seems like a huge huge waste.
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