dual vs quad core

Jingy · 2nd Jan 2009, 09:35 PM

well, I'm working out what to get in a new PC and the question of dual Vs quad has reared it's multi-headed self up (but would that be 2 heads or 4?)

at first I automatically fell into the more = better mind set, but after a good number of hours researching, I'm leaning the opposite way.
thinking instead that for my needs (basic all around computing) I'd be better off with a dual core with higher GHz.

a good dual core(namely the Intel Core 2 Duo E8600), with lower power needs, heat output, noise etc and strong all around performance would seem like the right choice for me, BUT...

would a similar priced/quality quad core be a better investment? since even though not many programs are optimized to really take advantage of more then 2 cores right now, that is likely where things are headed.

so I thought I'd bring this question to (wo)men wiser then I on the subject, and hopefully get a feel for the current opinions on it.

do you think the potential long term benefits of a quad core outweigh the more immediate better fit of a simple high GHz dual core?

[p.s, extra credit for opinions on the GeForce 9600 GT GPU Vs the 9800, and tips on decent audio options]

Max_87 · 2nd Jan 2009, 10:49 PM

Just get a dual core. By the time a lot of software can actually take advantage of quad core, the processor will be obsolete anyway. Quad core has been around for a long time and most software still can't take advantage of it (even now).

Chai · 3rd Jan 2009, 12:24 AM

If you are not overclocking, get the E8500, it's a lot cheaper than E8600.

Unixlord · 3rd Jan 2009, 05:58 AM

Duals still dominate most tasks and they will always OC higher than their quad counterparts with less cooling and power usage required. The exceptions are encoding and rendering.

Jingy · 3rd Jan 2009, 05:57 PM

ok, so clearly people agree that a dual core is the way to go for anyone who's not going to be doing lots of rendering etc, and that it's not going to change anytime that soon.

Thanks.

@Chai:
no, I wasn't planning on overclocking, which is why I was thinking I'd go with the E8600 over the E8500(which is what I looked at originally), E8500 has 3.16 GHz, and the E8600 is 3.33.
that seemed worth the price difference to me.
(plus I'll be buying through a friend with a work discount, so the price difference should be even less)

Chai · 3rd Jan 2009, 08:25 PM

Oh, the difference is too big over here to get E8600.

Max_87 · 6th Jan 2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chai

Oh, the difference is too big over here to get E8600.

I heard they are out of stock here

Chai · 6th Jan 2009, 05:16 PM

No thanks to you.

jamesnorman93 · 7th Jan 2009, 10:02 AM

yeah, core2duo e6750 2.66GHz @ 3.30GHz

Adrian Wong · 9th Jan 2009, 12:08 AM

If you are interested in the performance difference of the various Intel Core 2 CPUs, dual core or quad core, take a look here - Tech ARP - Intel Core 2 Processor Performance Comparison Guide Rev. 2.7

2nd Jan 2009, 09:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jingy Newbie Join Date: 2 Jan 2009 Posts: 2 Reputation: 0 Rep Power: 0	dual vs quad core well, I'm working out what to get in a new PC and the question of dual Vs quad has reared it's multi-headed self up (but would that be 2 heads or 4?) at first I automatically fell into the more = better mind set, but after a good number of hours researching, I'm leaning the opposite way. thinking instead that for my needs (basic all around computing) I'd be better off with a dual core with higher GHz. a good dual core(namely the Intel Core 2 Duo E8600), with lower power needs, heat output, noise etc and strong all around performance would seem like the right choice for me, BUT... would a similar priced/quality quad core be a better investment? since even though not many programs are optimized to really take advantage of more then 2 cores right now, that is likely where things are headed. so I thought I'd bring this question to (wo)men wiser then I on the subject, and hopefully get a feel for the current opinions on it. do you think the potential long term benefits of a quad core outweigh the more immediate better fit of a simple high GHz dual core? [p.s, extra credit for opinions on the GeForce 9600 GT GPU Vs the 9800, and tips on decent audio options] Last edited by Jingy : 2nd Jan 2009 at 09:55 PM.

2nd Jan 2009, 10:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Max_87 h@x! Join Date: 11 Aug 2003 Location: the land of bandwidth cap Posts: 11,430 Reputation: 2090 Rep Power: 38	Just get a dual core. By the time a lot of software can actually take advantage of quad core, the processor will be obsolete anyway. Quad core has been around for a long time and most software still can't take advantage of it (even now). __________________ Max_87 Tech ARP http://www.techarp.com Dell Studio 15 / P7350 / 3GB DDR2 / Radeon HD 3450 / 250GB 7200RPM / 15" @ 1920x1200 E8600 @ 4.4GHz 1.36v / Asus P5E3 Deluxe / 2x2GB DDR3 / Radeon X1800 / Barracuda 7200.9 120GB / 7200.10 320GB x2 / Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS / WD6400AAKS x2 / Dell 2007FP x2 / Silverstone ST56F

3rd Jan 2009, 12:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
Chai Administrator Join Date: 6 Oct 2002 Location: Maranello Posts: 27,884 Reputation: 4630 Rep Power: 81	If you are not overclocking, get the E8500, it's a lot cheaper than E8600. __________________ Chai (Contributor & Forum Admin) http://www.techarp.com/

3rd Jan 2009, 05:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
Unixlord I'm a regular Join Date: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 301 Reputation: 98 Rep Power: 2	Duals still dominate most tasks and they will always OC higher than their quad counterparts with less cooling and power usage required. The exceptions are encoding and rendering. __________________ Intel E8400 @ 3.6GHz 1.23v load + Zerotherm Zen FZ120 \| ASUS Rampage Formula \| G.Skill PI Black 2x2GB \| Gainward GeForce 8800GT 700/1000/1750 + Zalman VF1000 \| PC Power and Cooling Silencer 750W \| Thermaltake Armor VA8003SWA

3rd Jan 2009, 08:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
Chai Administrator Join Date: 6 Oct 2002 Location: Maranello Posts: 27,884 Reputation: 4630 Rep Power: 81	Oh, the difference is too big over here to get E8600. __________________ Chai (Contributor & Forum Admin) http://www.techarp.com/

3rd Jan 2009, 05:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jingy Newbie Join Date: 2 Jan 2009 Posts: 2 Reputation: 0 Rep Power: 0	ok, so clearly people agree that a dual core is the way to go for anyone who's not going to be doing lots of rendering etc, and that it's not going to change anytime that soon. Thanks. @Chai: no, I wasn't planning on overclocking, which is why I was thinking I'd go with the E8600 over the E8500(which is what I looked at originally), E8500 has 3.16 GHz, and the E8600 is 3.33. that seemed worth the price difference to me. (plus I'll be buying through a friend with a work discount, so the price difference should be even less)

6th Jan 2009, 05:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
Chai Administrator Join Date: 6 Oct 2002 Location: Maranello Posts: 27,884 Reputation: 4630 Rep Power: 81	No thanks to you. __________________ Chai (Contributor & Forum Admin) http://www.techarp.com/

7th Jan 2009, 10:02 AM	#9 (permalink)
jamesnorman93 Newbie Join Date: 7 Jan 2009 Posts: 5 Reputation: 0 Rep Power: 0	yeah, core2duo e6750 2.66GHz @ 3.30GHz

9th Jan 2009, 12:08 AM	#10 (permalink)
Adrian Wong Da Boss Join Date: 10 Oct 2002 Location: In front of my ASUS F8V notebook! Posts: 32,299 Reputation: 3574 Rep Power: 75	If you are interested in the performance difference of the various Intel Core 2 CPUs, dual core or quad core, take a look here - Tech ARP - Intel Core 2 Processor Performance Comparison Guide Rev. 2.7 __________________ Dr. Adrian Wong Tech ARP \| Blog @ Tech ARP \| The Free Trade Zone DYKT : The only offshore account I have is at the sand bank? We need PROGRAMMERS and TECHNICAL WRITERS! Contact us if you are a hot shot programmer or technical writer! My items for sale : 50x SD Card \| Memory Stick PRO \| Cyclone Energy Saver \| Seiko SS watch \| Tiger/Carlsberg beer jugs \| Travel Speakers \| Motorola V600 \| Nokia N90 SOLD! \| New Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Other items for sale @ the FTZ : Zalman CNPS9500 LED @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7700 Cu @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7000 Cu @ $20 \| Swarovski bracelet watches \| Dell 17" LCD \| Hi-Fi speakers \| English DIVX movies \| HP LaserJet toners! \| Office chairs

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