CPU question.

I’m currently building a new computer to replace my main machine (long story!)

My old system was a 2.67 Core 2 duo. For the three months I had it, I loved it. Very fast. But like everyone else I have a need for speed. I do a lot of video editing. This machine did pretty well, lot darn faster then this old 3.2 P4 HT.

That said. Here is where my confusion comes in.

Using this 2.67 core 2 duo as an example. When I installed some games it stated my system wasn’t fast enough. I’m guessing the games thought I was running a P3/P4 2670mhz (my guess anyway!).

For simplicity I’ll explain my way of thinking on this. Which is my question.

I have 2 CPUS I’m looking at right now (Intel) I’ll then check AMD after I figure this question out. Any recommendations here I’m all ears!

Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115028

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 Kentsfield 2.66GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115027



My thinking is ok, this CPU goes 3.0ghz, or for my example lets say this car goes 3000mph zoom! Since it’s a core 2 duo. 2 cars are going 3000mph.

Now if I were to buy a quad core system 2.66 CPU. Would that only go 2660mph? only handle more load using 4 cars? Which would prevent me from playing some games, and possible be slower? Totally confused here.

Like I said I do a good bit of video editing and could utilize the quad core. However from a gaming stand point would the 3.0 core 2 duo be the better choice in this case?

From what I read so far, I feel the 3.0 2 duo would be the best option all around.

Your thoughts? :shock:

single treaded applications will be limited to using one of the cores and so will be limited to the clock speed of that core.

but multithreaded apps will spread their load across as many cores as they are able and so will benefit from the quad core over the dual..

the problem is that until very recently most games are not multiprocessor aware and so run in a single thread.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Djarid

single treaded applications will be limited to using one of the cores and so will be limited to the clock speed of that core.

but multithreaded apps will spread their load across as many cores as they are able and so will benefit from the quad core over the dual..

the problem is that until very recently most games are not multiprocessor aware and so run in a single thread.

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Your new and fast, like you allready =)

I understand, that right now, not many games support Quad core. Next year from what I read it seems that will change. I'm really at a toss up on which one to get. I've looked at the toms hardware benchmark. To be honest I dont really know what i'm looking at.

Gaming
http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_20...=870&chart=425

Encoding
http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_20...=870&chart=431

If I new how to read this chart it would help me a lot :lol:

I want the fast encoding, but I don't want to SOL because the quad is 2.66 but the core 2 duo is 3.0 for future games.

Brad,

Not sure if you do this already, but you do know you can use the power of all your machinesto render your video? Have the main machine be the host and the 'clones' be your well, clones and you distribute the rendering.

ie render farm.

Definetly one other use for having 5 PC's. =)

I always thought Intel's were much better at encoding mp3s/movies in all the benchmarks I ever remember.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Latency

Brad,

Not sure if you do this already, but you do know you can use the power of all your machinesto render your video? Have the main machine be the host and the 'clones' be your well, clones and you distribute the rendering.

ie render farm.

Definetly one other use for having 5 PC's. =)

I always thought Intel's were much better at encoding mp3s/movies in all the benchmarks I ever remember.

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Thanks Latency, I forgot about that. I use Sony Vegas which supports 2. I didn't even think of that. Thanks for suggesting it!

The games indeed only see the single core speed, most games use one (ie. WoW :() I myself clearly misjudged that when buying my 6300 core2duo (bout 1.9Ghz) and wish i had bought a higher speed core. I could go and overclock it but im not a big fan of doing that. Havent seen that many programs that can use 1+ core, I guess they will only come in the next 2 3 years? Probability is that you will be searching for a new pc the anyway, I would go for the dual core one.

I went quad core knowing that most applications will only use a single core. Audio/video encoding is easy to multi thread - so that and any time I am running 2 or 3 tasks at once (almost always) will get a boost.

And the quad core solutions from AMD/Intel are quite affordable now - compared with my processor which ran nearly $1000.

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail

$289 bucks!

It is really only two dual cores stuck together (not a true quad core) but still! So are the $1000 ones.

Amazing.

Think i'm going to go with

Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115028

Pretty cheap! Gaming vs encoding I feel I game more then I encode, As always I can let it go over night. I feel the core 2 duo over the quad would be the best choice for me overall.

Thanks for the feed back. I'll post up my entire part list later (still researching) let you guys eye it over and see what you think.

Also only getting the parts from Newegg only.

If you have a Fry's, get it from there. I got mine with a "free" motherboard and it works just fine. It's even faster than my main PC that has an 8800 GTX and thank God less heat with 8600 GTS.

http://www.netaffilia.com/ad/electro.../29/26504.html

The Intel Core 2 Duo series (I can speak for the Conroe core especially) has good over clocking potential. I have a Core 2 Duo E6600 that runs at 2.4 ghz stock, and I have it over clocked to 3.0 ghz with an after market fan. It's running without problems. Over clocking your CPU can be a cost efficient way to get more power out of components you already have. Over clocking isn't for everyone, but it's an option that's available.