The next generation CPUs?

[SideWinder]

I've been out of touch of the general "computer field" - generally haven't been interested in the past year or so but now i've re-discovered this passion.

Anyways, looking at buying something new and wondering about the CPUs, what is just around the corner basically?

I've been browsing Tom's Hardware and found the latest Intel Core 2 Duo to be stupidly impressive. Is there a new AMD around the corner to challenge this? I've read about the 6000+ and how it isn't really making an impact but in terms of cost with the Core 2 Duo, it is very good value.

Currently aiming for a 2.670Ghz Core 2 Duo but i am slightly tempted by the Quad Core.

So, any assistance?

 

[spb251272]

Core 2 Duo is the best thing out by a long shot AMD are launching the quad core Barcelona in the second half of the year which is supposedly going to give C2D and C2Q a run for their money, but until then, get yourself any of the C2D's and you won't be sorry I personally wouldn't get anything higher than the e6600, as after that they become not good value for money. You can overclock them so well, you'll easily have even the e4300 up to 2.8/3.0ghz. I easily clocked my e6600 to 3.6, which gives amazing performance

 

[Corasik]

Even at stock a 2.67Ghz Core 2 is an extremely fast processor. I've got one, it overclocks really well, but for the apps I run (mostly games) there is almost no point in clocking it. Im actually running the thing at stock!

I wouldnt worry about AMD's new processor, its going to be good, but most people dont need more power than the awesome Core 2 Duo offers.

If you do a lot of multimedia, video encoding etc, than a Quad would be a good investment, but honestly right now, you could buy a Core 2 Duo, and then wait until the prices on Quad come down to 'mid range' prices and upgrade again (mebee next year with the 45nm process chips)

Quads are interesting, but for most people not worth the additional cost.

 

[SideWinder]

Any benchmarks of the Barcelona yet? I am correct in thinking the Quad has the same socket as the C2D?

I don't think i'll invest in a Quad then, i keep setting myself higher and higher goals with an ever increasing budget.

 

[Corasik]

Any benchmarks of the Barcelona yet? I am correct in thinking the Quad has the same socket as the C2D?

I don't think i'll invest in a Quad then, i keep setting myself higher and higher goals with an ever increasing budget.

No benchys of Barcelona yet, AMD keeping it will under wraps, either they are still performance tuning, or its so good they want to surprise intel ;P.

My guess is on average the native quad Barcelona will be a fair step up over Kentsfield, but it will depend on your application selection.

While the 'dual' core part will be much closer to Core2, as Core2 Duo is already a 'native' dual design, so AMD wont have an advantage there.

 

[cobxx]

No benchys of Barcelona yet, AMD keeping it will under wraps, either they are still performance tuning, or its so good they want to surprise intel ;P.

My guess is on average the native quad Barcelona will be a fair step up over Kentsfield, but it will depend on your application selection.

While the 'dual' core part will be much closer to Core2, as Core2 Duo is already a 'native' dual design, so AMD wont have an advantage there.

Yeah. The problem I see is that although barcelona might be awesome, the amount of people that will actually go out and get one will be low. There will still be a huge demand for dual core chips, , and it looks like AMD have put most of their R&D into the barcelona. Unless their dual cores designs are taken from the barcelona, they might still have a struggle on their hands.

 

[Gashman]

Yeah. The problem I see is that although barcelona might be awesome, the amount of people that will actually go out and get one will be low. There will still be a huge demand for dual core chips, , and it looks like AMD have put most of their R&D into the barcelona. Unless their dual cores designs are taken from the barcelona, they might still have a struggle on their hands.

there next dual-core desktop chip is based entirely on barcelona architecture, just with half the cores, its not so much the native 'quad-core' crap thats gonna make barcelona so fast, its not just a 'native' quad-core version of K8, its heavily revised to compete with core architecture so they say

 

[sajtion]

even if barcelona chip will be 20-30% faster then top core 2 duo i would still not upgrade because the thing that will make me decide me which cpu to buy is price, power consuption and heat and intel has got this pretty spot on.