quad core vs dual core.. quick question

[Munro]

I haven't got a clue about PC hardware so a (hopefully) simple question...

Do I buy:

(Quad-Core)Intel? Core? 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.4GHz 1066FSB 8MB L2 Cache 64-bit()

or

(Sckt775)Intel? Core? 2 Duo E6850 CPU @ 3.00GHz 1333FSB 4MB L2 Cache 64-bit()

 

[Cheomesh]

The second one.

 

[Asus]

Most individual programs will run faster on the E6850 @ 3GHz. Because most things can only run on one core.
But if you run a few CPU intensive programs at the same time then Quad core would be a lot faster. Same thing if you ran a program that can utilize multi-cores by itself.

What do you do with your PC besides game?
This review has both the E6850 and Q6600 so you can compare.

Q6600 for photoshop
Q6600 for media encoding
E6850 in the general programs in Worldbench 6 and SYSmark 2007 and games.

This shows what is in Worldbench 6

 

[Munro]

It's mainly gaming really. I surf, listen to music and use notepad and that's it. I'm hoping this CPU will last me a while as I hate upgrading

 

[Asus]

The second one.

^ Aye

 

[Munro]

That review is really handy, thank's for pointing it out I think I'll settle for the Duo.

 

[Hectic Glenn]

I bought the Q6600 Energy Efficient version and the 4 separate cores for separate tasks is a true blessing. It's insanely overclockable too. I'm water cooling mine with a triple radiator @ 3.2ghz yet it idles at ridiculously low temperatures, and on load isn't much different. For the future...Q6600 ftw!

 

[Asus]

If I bought a new CPU I'd go quad as well. But I do media encoding from time to time. Also program compiling. And folding!

 

[Munro]

CPU: (Quad-Core)Intel? Core™ 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.4GHz 1066FSB 8MB L2 Cache 64-bit Overclocked to 3.4ghz
Motherboard: (QX9650 Supports) Asus P5K-E/WIFI-AP Intel P35 CrossFire Chipset LGA775 FSB1333 DDR2/800 Mainboard w/GbLAN, Internal RAID, USB2.0, IEEE1394, &7.1Audio
Memory: (Req.DDR2 MainBoard)2GB (2x1GB) PC8500 DDR2/1066Mhz Dual Channel Memory (Corsair XMS2 w/Heatspreader)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 16X PCI Express Video Card



Thoughts? :O

 

[Asus]

That's a beast!

 

[Munro]

That sounds reassuring... *looks for credit card*

 

[Asus]

I did notice that the quad pulled ahead running the Lost Planet game in the 'Cave' benchmark (bottom).

 

[Barney Fife]

Keep it in mind; we're headed to quad-core environment, rather faster than dying in Episode 2.

If you're planing to upgrade in the next couple of years; go for the dual, if you're thinking for keeps; quad-core.

Good Luck.

 

[VictimOfScience]

Thoughts? :O

Jealousy mainly. A little anger.

Oh, and happiness for you if you get it of course! :E

I would opt for the quad only because they are darn cheap right now and it will be what is used fairly commonly in the relatively near future in gaming at least so it may be the best bet.

 

[Saturos]

CPU: (Quad-Core)Intel? Core? 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.4GHz 1066FSB 8MB L2 Cache 64-bit Overclocked to 3.4ghz
Motherboard: (QX9650 Supports) Asus P5K-E/WIFI-AP Intel P35 CrossFire Chipset LGA775 FSB1333 DDR2/800 Mainboard w/GbLAN, Internal RAID, USB2.0, IEEE1394, &7.1Audio
Memory: (Req.DDR2 MainBoard)2GB (2x1GB) PC8500 DDR2/1066Mhz Dual Channel Memory (Corsair XMS2 w/Heatspreader)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 16X PCI Express Video Card



Thoughts? :O

Dumb question here...Is that an ATI chipset your about to use for an NVIDIA card? Whay is it INTEL Crossfire? I'm not to keen on Intel or ATI products.

 

[Asus]

Intel supports crossfire too.
And what is wrong with Intel chipsets for Intel CPUs? Is that not the gold standard?! D:

 

[Saturos]

Intel supports crossfire too.
And what is wrong with Intel chipsets for Intel CPUs? Is that not the gold standard?! D:

I know. I'm not too sharp on my chipsets right now Asus.:| I saw "Crossfire" and I wasn't sure what to make of it. For the sake of knowledge, I'm probably going to buy an Intel chipset and a Core2 Duo my next build.

 

[bigburpco]

Quad. It can reach around 3.4ghz with proper air cooling. Also has better cache. Since the E6850 is more expensive, go with the Quad.

 

[Andrew LB]

The quad core processor will be more future-proof considering how so many programs these days are multi-threaded enabled. Also, the current Q6600 chips easily run 1333fsb on the latest revision chipsets and overclock very well.

My Q6600 runs 3.6ghz on a quiet Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme air cooler. 27dba fan and idles @ 37'c and is about 60'c under full load on all 4 cores.

 

[Barney Fife]

and is about 60'c under full load on all 4 cores.

60 not healthy. diagnosis, A must.

 

[Krynn72]

I just got a quad core computer, and holy shit its awesome. I just burned a DVD last night, for the first time in months. I was always hesitant to burn a DVD because it took like 2.5-3 hours just to encode the video, but last night I burned Shoot 'Em Up in less than 30 minutes.

<3 quad core