and would it be enough to justify the cost. I have a 3000+ right now and want to go w/ the 4000+. I have also been looking at a dual core. I would need a new board because my current board can only take a 3200+ x2 or an fx up to 2.4ghz. Is it worth the extra money? Any opinions welcome. Thanks
2006-12-19 04:53:46 · 6 answers · asked by ibyt2692 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Add-ons
As others have stated, dual-core benefits are only seen when running multiple tasks, or using applications which have been optimized for it.
As far as upgrading... the current situation is the exact opposite of the past few years- AMD currently doesn't have anything competitive with Intel's Core 2 Duo. The AMD X2 line is nice (certainly beats out Pentium D) but the Core 2 Duo is both faster *and cheaper* - the $200 Intel processor beats the $500 AMD, so from a cost/performance ratio it's no contest. So if you're replacing a motherboard, you may as well go the Intel route, with an E6300 or E6600.
The only advantage of going AMD X2 right now is that the same motherboard should support quad-core processors down the line, if you decide to upgrade again soon.
2006-12-19 05:35:36 · answer #1 · answered by Proto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but it depends entirely on what you are doing & how many simultaneous tasks you are running.
If you use one application at a time it won't make much of a difference.
If (like me) you want to be recording a TV show with your capture card, burning a DVD, & browsing this site all at the same time .... then go for dual-core.
If you go AMD (which I suggest for price / performance ration ) make sure that the board has an AM2 socket as opposed to 939.
The AM2 will accept upcoming Quad-Core processors from AMD...so next time you won't need a new board.
The Intel dual core sockets do not offer this luxury.
FYI :
----- Don't go nuts over benchmark comparisons between the AMD & Intel dual cores. As I've mentioned repeatedly in my answers ... it's like knocking down a Porche because the Ferrari is faster ...
They are both super performers & there will ALWAYS be something faster.
regards,
Philip T
2006-12-19 05:05:32 · answer #2 · answered by Philip T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
x2 are good and welcome, BUT only if you like running several resource-eating applications simultaneously. For example, it would allow you to burn a DVD at high speed while playing a demanding game at the same time (provided that you have enough RAM for it)
Dual core means that you actually have two processors at the given clock speed in your PC. Thus, one application can use resources from one core, while the other/others use the other core. Newer games can use both cores at the same time, thus run faster.
your decision... depends a lot on what you do with your computer.
2006-12-19 04:59:40 · answer #3 · answered by andi schlangen 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
dual core cpu's are so new, not many applications are optimized for them. plus their very pricey. 6 months from now, the price of this new cpu will drop. there's always going to be something faster in the cpu market, but the price will be very high.
it's cheaper in the long run to build a computer that's just 1 step down from the 'latest' in technology, parts-wise, but u have a mobo that could be upgraded to these latest parts later when the price becomes more affordable.
2006-12-19 14:39:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, from off the top of my head the fastest single core is like 3.8 ghz, And since dual core is s cpu's for example, 2.2 ghz plus 2.2 ghz is 4.4. A much faster cpu. But it depends on whether or not you are satisfied with your systems performance. I would say wait untill vista comes out to buy/build a new and faster system.
2006-12-19 05:02:09 · answer #5 · answered by stylesxz 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
duel core processors is fast you want pc fast use duel core processor. + 2 gb of ram + a good video card . then ur have fast pc
2006-12-19 04:59:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋