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Quad Cores or Dual Cores? I'm COnfused =(

RoastChicken

RoastChicken

RoastChicken

Associate
Joined
7 Sep 2008
Posts
11
Hi, I’m quite new to the forum however I planned on building my self a new machine but from what I have researched and read I get completely conflicting opinions/facts about processors really So here it is:

I looked at the:


Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient SLACR 95W Edition" 2.40GHz

And also the:

Intel Core 2 Duo E8600 LGA775 'Wolfdale' "Overclocking E0 Stepping" 3.33GHz (1333FSB)

The computer will be used for gaming, email, internet, watching movies downloading stuff generally about it.

So If were talking purely for that what would be the better processor to go for would it be better to wait for the new Intel Nehalem chips, and go for one of them or when they hit hope current chips drop in price.

There are a few things that I have questions on. I’ve read/been told that the quad is better for processes that require it such as Video Rendering, video editing, playing games say simultaneously.

But the dual core will run what I had in mind faster than that particular quad core even after OC.

Due to the fact not a lot of games currently take advantage of multi core and probably won’t see it for a couple of years properly I thought surely if the Dual core has more power than a quad it would be better to go for that. However by all means put me right as there is so much on the internet I don’t know what’s right and what’s wrong.

So what should I go for if you think there’s a better processor I’m looking to spend max about £180 on one.
 
Tetras said:
Get an E8000 series and you'll be happy for a couple years, quad doesn't offer you anything.
Click to expand...

Ok So which E8000?

I read the E8600 has E0 Stepping better for overclocking?

Does that mean quads currently are better for secialist things such video rendering soemething that needs more cores and with current games not really taking advantage of multiple cores.
 
from what i gather by reading peoples views the quad is better for rendering/video editing where as the dual is better for gaming.

as far as Nehalem is concerned they are going to be the dogs so if you can i'd wait for that but you may have to pay a bit more than £180 for a chip. but you'd also require the new Boards and ddr3 Ram too.
 
RoastChicken said:
Ok So which E8000?

I read the E8600 has E0 Stepping better for overclocking?

Does that mean quads currently are better for secialist things such video rendering soemething that needs more cores and with current games not really taking advantage of multiple cores.
Click to expand...

All of the E8*** series will be E0 stepping soon. People have already been getting E0 stepping E8500's from here.
 
Unless you're an overclocking n00b or have next to no cooling, there's no reason not to go for a quad. They might not clock as higher as duals, but the MHz difference is made up for with the extra cores, in more applications than you'd think.

Don't forget that Windows also handles the extra cores, making your OS smoother.
 
Ok so basically save myself the £50 and probably stick it towards a better graphics card and go for the E8500 are they guaranteed to have E0 Stepping, and anyone got a reccomended board for this CPU i always found Gigabyte boards to be pretty good.
 
Well guaranteed E0 is probably a little unlikley.. but you can tell form the box without opening it if its is an E0 (S-spec - SLB9K) so you can always retun it under the distance selling reg. I use the Asus P5Q board and its excellent.
 
Or running supreme commander as a quad makes a lot of difference in that game over a dual. Before buying a dual see if you can find out what games are coming out that make use of a quad because if there are a few you like you will get a definate benefit from a quad.
 
RizlaKing said:
Or running supreme commander as a quad makes a lot of difference in that game over a dual. Before buying a dual see if you can find out what games are coming out that make use of a quad because if there are a few you like you will get a definate benefit from a quad.
Click to expand...


Agree, I noticed that Grid makes good use of the quad as well. Also Cod4 spreads the load as well, over 4 cores. Glad I upgraded from my trusty E2180.
 
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