Quad core is it worth it?

Euro_Hunter · 14 Apr 2007 at 21:28

Just looking around at a few different spec'd systems and wondering if Quad core is worth the extra ££ actually don't cost much more than E6600 systems with similar spec.

I know there are hardly any apps that can use all 4 cores but what about multi-tasking, I usually have several browser tabs running, i-tunes, excel, Outlook etc will Quad Core be any help here?

Thanks

Nige.

sajtion · 14 Apr 2007 at 23:24

it will be worth it in six months time i reckon but by that time amd could release their quads which will undoubtedly be faster. wait is the best option at the moment

Will_3rd · 14 Apr 2007 at 23:34

for what your doing at the moment, I would say it isn't worth it

wait for the price to come down to something sensible IMO

Fr0dders · 14 Apr 2007 at 23:36

Euro_Hunter said:
I know there are hardly any apps that can use all 4 cores but what about multi-tasking, I usually have several browser tabs running, i-tunes, excel, Outlook etc will Quad Core be any help here?

lol

itunes excel outlook etc.. wont even begin to stretch a dual core CPU. No need for quad core just for that.

You've answered your question already. There are hardly any programmes / no games around atm that can properly use Dual core, and only 1 or 2 of those properly scale up to quad core.

Honestly atm it is a complete waste, bank the money you've saved and spend it on a better graphics card, or at worst save it for the next quad core processor due out in a year or whatever, by that time you might actually have something to stretch it.

shr3k · 14 Apr 2007 at 23:49

I couldn't agree more,
Use the money to buy something more useful, the only people who are going to use quad core at the moment are game developers ect....

But wait say a year and dual cores will be the norm and quads will be top spec and people like your selfs will be asking do i need octacore processors with 8 cores.... Lmao

You get the idea

Shr3k

Euro_Hunter · 15 Apr 2007 at 00:33

Reason I am asking is that my main PC has died on me after the PSU blew & I am now looking for a new system.

I have been looking at a couple of the big UK suppliers & using their online quote systems there is hardly any difference between the price of a Dual Core E6600 & Quad Core QX6600 system when you spec them as close as you can to each other.

I also want to encode DivX etc, used to do quite a bit before on my P4 3.06 but couldn't multi-task with that and had to leave it overnight which I don't want to do anymore having had yet another PSU explode on me.

Always said I would never buy another pre-built system after my Gateway 2000 SX-33 but after pricing things up its not really that much cheaper to build yourself anymore and a 3 yr warranty is quite reassuring.

richjs · 15 Apr 2007 at 01:42

Go for Core2Duo, it'll last long enough. Unless you're really stressing the CPU rendering / have money to spare you wont notice a large difference

HighlandeR · 15 Apr 2007 at 12:55

With the recent price drop if u can nab a Q6600 @ £350 it may proove a good deal, also consider how long you keep your system for, if your not planning on upgrading again this year then Q6600 without question.

If your encoding/video editing, speak no more... Quad core would be wicked for that.

Remember Supreme Commander is very popular and as most reviewers have noted and said u do need quad core if u plan on having 3-4 side battles with 500+ units fighting it out, even the 2nd and 3rd core is peaking during moments, if really is the 1st game to use Quadcore during the intense battles.

Stalker is multicore also, crysis is multicore could be due next month or summer or fall....

Of course having said all that the E6600 is current champion and the sweet spot for price/performance, but if your not upgrading again this year Q6600 @ £350 is a good choice.

easyrider · 15 Apr 2007 at 14:59

Euro_Hunter said:
I also want to encode DivX etc, .

Yes,

There lies your answer

Mattus · 15 Apr 2007 at 16:06

It really depends what you're doing.

Euro_Hunter said:
I usually have several browser tabs running, i-tunes, excel, Outlook etc will Quad Core be any help here?

Nope - a single-core CPU is easily enough for those tasks, never mind a quad.

I also want to encode DivX etc

That will show a huge speed boost on a quad-core. It depends how much of this you're planning to do.

dan1987 · 16 Apr 2007 at 09:51

Would I be right in thinking that for only gaming at this moment in time going for a quad core would be a waste of money?

gurusan · 16 Apr 2007 at 09:57

dan1987 said:
Would I be right in thinking that for only gaming at this moment in time going for a quad core would be a waste of money?

correct

dan1987 · 16 Apr 2007 at 10:28

Thanks, I will stick with my original plan for a E6600 after the price drop then

JeffyB · 16 Apr 2007 at 10:28

dan1987 said:
Would I be right in thinking that for only gaming at this moment in time going for a quad core would be a waste of money?

Very few games benifit from multi cores at present, supreme commander and the upcoming half life 2 episode 2 both do though and more and more will. Look here to see what sort of diference a quad can make over a dual core.

gurusan · 16 Apr 2007 at 10:29

dan1987 said:
Thanks, I will stick with my original plan for a E6600 after the price drop then

Good plan, I want a Q6600 just because it's badass... but the price is too much.

I'll probably be swithcing to a e6420..then a Q6600 later in the year when I can score a used one for cheaper.

JeffyB · 16 Apr 2007 at 10:36

I'm curently trying to decide if its worth moving to a quad as well or if i should wait 6 months or so and pick one up when the price drops, i may just keep what i have and upgrade my graphics card instead.

gurusan · 16 Apr 2007 at 10:38

JeffyB said:
I'm curently trying to decide if its worth moving to a quad as well or if i should wait 6 months or so and pick one up when the price drops, i may just keep what i have and upgrade my graphics card instead.

Plan B is much better....the difference you'll see moving to quad core will be pretty much nothing in the gaming department...but moving to something like a 8800GTX or R600 from a x1900xtx will show a pretty large difference I would imagine

dan1987 · 16 Apr 2007 at 11:15

gurusan said:
Good plan, I want a Q6600 just because it's badass... but the price is too much.

I'll probably be swithcing to a e6420..then a Q6600 later in the year when I can score a used one for cheaper.

If the prices which are going around on the forums now about the price drop are about right then in Q3 the Q6600 should be going down to what the E6600 is now which is about £200. If this does happen I dont think I will be able to resist getting one!

gurusan · 16 Apr 2007 at 11:18

dan1987 said:
If the prices which are going around on the forums now about the price drop are about right then in Q3 the Q6600 should be going down to what the E6600 is now which is about £200. If this does happen I dont think I will be able to resist getting one!

Yeah, that makes two of us

There should be more multicore optimized games out by then as well.

eracer2006 · 17 Apr 2007 at 04:15

i dont see the point in buying now when the next 2 intel chips are due out within a year, santa rosa, and the one after that.

ill pick up a qx6700 when it costs 70 quid

If i run a load of apps and bf2, alt tab out and check my task manager, i never get over 50% usage on mine at standard speed.