Dual Core 2 or Quad?

AltarBoy · Post by **AltarBoy** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:47 am

I'm making a list of all the parts for my monster rig and still undecided as to which processor to choose? Some of my IT guys at work said to go with the Core 2 as I may get some probs with the Quad and it's application with Windows progs. Whaddya think guys?

:FI:Scott · Post by **:FI:Scott** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:28 pm

I am at the same stage AB.

I have decided to wait into the summer before nailing a spec. I am going to source my own parts and get a local shop to build it. Hopefully by then quad core should be more widespread and therefore better supported (might even be a bit cheaper too !!!)

:FI:Falcon · Post by **:FI:Falcon** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:59 pm

I have dual core and it's great. I can have six aps running at the same time with no problems, but VERY few games utilize dual core now. The advantage is very low. Quad is even less utilized by games. I think the number is close to zero. I think a good 2.4Ghz dual is a good way to go now. Quads are complex, expensive, HOT and power hungry.

F

:FI:Scott · Post by **:FI:Scott** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 6:49 pm

Re Quad cores...

But they is shiny and new Stuart and that appeals to the Golam in me !.

My major concern is building a machine that will hold its own with BOB on release...

:FI:Falcon · Post by **:FI:Falcon** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 7:21 pm

Well Richard,

if your precious has a 1000 watt power supply

and your wallet has $1000 wiff nuttin' better to do

then go for it!

It will be one 'puter to rule them all!

J. R. R. Falkien

:FI:TacticalS! · Post by **:FI:TacticalS!** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 7:49 pm

First let's understand Stu is jealous. He ONLY has a Dual Core.

Seriously though he does raise a very practical point. Not sure what everyone does with regard to gaming, but in other gaming circles I frequent folks with newer (Dual Core) rigs are often complaining about system performance, or at the very least they're surprise on how poorly a new game runs.

For example, folks who were early adopters of Dual Core machines with their lower CPU speeds appear to be the most vocal complainers in Medieval II Total War forums, since like so many other games MTW2 was not programmed specifically for multiple CPU cores. So they must rely on one of their CPU cores to play the game.

My understanding of the concept for multiple cores was that the various components/aspects of a game could be handled by dedicated CPUs. So, for example, let's say the terrain/environment could be processed by CPU 1 and the character by CPU 2 (I know silly example).

With regard to IL-2 I have read posts where Dual Core owners can edit confi.ini to enable both CPUs. Not sure what this exactly means, since I believe IL-2 has never been re-written for multi-cores, right?

Perhaps the "evil" console market may help to push programming into the multi-core environment faster, since both the Xbox 360 and PS3 have 3+ CPU cores. Vista will likely provide greater opportunities too.

In the meantime, as the price drops for Dual Core setups (read CPU cores are becoming faster), at the very least one can usually dedicate a complete core to a game and one to all other processes (i.e., OS), which appears to be a real benefit.

Tact - "future Dual Core owner?" - S!

Post by **Deathsledge** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 1:36 am

Dual core seems to be more stable than the latest and greatest. Dont let the market "topology" make you think you need to go out and buy a quad core. most of this stuff hasnt really been tested. Intel would sell you their children and make it sound like you need to have them. personally i would wait and see what this quad core does first, a lot of software companies cant even keep up with the technology so dont be fooled

AltarBoy · Post by **AltarBoy** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 1:46 am

Well Richard,

Hey how did know my first name?

Looks like it'll be Core 2 then.

PS: The wiff has already forewarned me that if I go out and buy a TT$20,000 PC the doghouse will have wall-to-wall carpeting.

:FI:Scott · Post by **:FI:Scott** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 11:27 am

If I was going out today to buy the parts the spec would be :

Asus P5WDG2- WSPRO Socket 775 Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.67 GHz, 4 Mb Cache
4 Ghz Corsair DDR2 Ram
8800 GTX graphics
320 Ghz Seagate Baracuda 7200 rpm Harddrive
Soundblaster X-Fi soundcard
2 X Sony Combi CDRW/ DVD drives
Alaska Eclipse case.
Rhino tranquiliser (for wif)

Any thoughts, observations, criticisms (Stuart)

:FI:TacticalS! · Post by **:FI:TacticalS!** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 2:06 pm

:FI:Scott wrote:Rhino tranquiliser (for wif)

That dose might kill the lass, or is that the plan mate?

:FI:Scott · Post by **:FI:Scott** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 4:28 pm

I couldn't possibly say mate (for fear that it may be used in evidence at the trial)

:FI:Falcon · Post by **:FI:Falcon** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 4:29 pm

Asus P5WDG2- WSPRO Socket 775 Motherboard

Whoa, a prof workstation card?! A bit of an overkill but it is Intel Quad ready and all the Duals too.

Intel Core 2 Duo 2.67 GHz, 4 Mb Cache

Great!

4 Ghz Corsair DDR2 Ram

You only need 2Gigs, but go for it.

8800 GTX graphics

I haven't been in the market for a year so I'm not up on the new cards. Don't spend too much on the bleedin' edge ones yet unless you're flippin' rich.

320 Ghz Seagate Baracuda 7200 rpm Harddrive

Well, if you need 320 Gigs this is a nice HD

Soundblaster X-Fi soundcard

Great card, don't spend the money for the more expensive X-Fi's. They only offer you extras that you prolly never will need.

2 X Sony Combi CDRW/ DVD drives

Search me.

Alaska Eclipse case.

Is that a mid-tower case? Just make sure it's big enough first. Those future quad Graphics cards and quad CPU's and quad anything else that may come up will need space and fans!

Rhino tranquiliser (for wif)

Uh, I'd put this FIRST on the list.

Again, I haven't been in the market for over a year. Back then I read every review, article and blog about each component.

Keep us up on this. It sounds like it's gonna get excitin'!

F

AltarBoy · Post by **AltarBoy** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:02 pm

Hey, Falcon, first you know my first name now you know my financial status. Are you the one that keeps peeking through the window?

But your specs are along the lines I'm looking for. I had my eyes on the Dell Workstations that can support 4 monitors and 2 Graphics Card (since my aim is to have the rig ready for my Graphics and my 3D modeling business). But when I customized the parts the bill ran way too high for me. I may change over to NVidia cards since ATI seems to be lagging behind the latest Shaders. I will be going for at least 2 Gigs (or maybe 4, if the wiff let's me live that long) of RAM and a 500 Gig HD. But my IT buddy keeps telling me to cool me herbs and wait a bit more. Oh, and I did try to tranq the wiff but do you know how much of that you have to use when your wiff looks like Lucy Lawless?

Altar-'runnin' away from da Queen of da jungle'-Boy.