Intel dual core 3GHz or quad core 2.4GHz for video editing/gaming PC?

[booyaka]

simple answer from me

Quad core all the way.

I can play COD4 online, be burning a dvd in the background and also be Folding@home all at the same time with zero slowdown or stuttering.

Bang for buck the quad core is the way forward.

[wormvortex]

you could probably manage that on a dual core

[Brausch]

This review doesn't cover the exact models your looking at but the speed comparisons between dual and quad may prove useful http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu...uad-q9300.html

[xSequentialx]

for what u need ur comp for i would also go quad core. like others have stated get the q6600 OEM go version and get decent cooler and overclock it.

i personally wouldn’t bother waiting for the new 45nm quad cores (q2 2008) they will be cooler and u should be able to get a higher overclock from them but will warrant additional £50 or so.

also with nehalem round the corner giving u greater choice of either 2, 4, 6 or 8 core variants it maybe worth considering getting something cheap like a E2140 and overclock it until they arrive (Q4 2008, Q1 2009). (nehalem will also require new mobo as different sockets)

[Munkey Boy]

Sounds like there's pros and cons either way, but I'm tempted to feel the quad-core would give me more future proofing as more software will become available that takes advantage of multi-core CPUs - I can't afford to upgrade that often (it's been about 3 years since my last major overhaul), so I'm thinking the quad is the way to go.

[Flugel Hound]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread guys, but I'm here now I have a Q6600 running at 2.7 Ghz via a little up on the FSB. However it isn't really fast enough for my editing application. It often maxes out at 25% for 30" when opening complex programmes (the telly type not software programs) and is a bit slower rendering than the very latest top end kit that I use elsewhere. So basically time for an upgrade. Also, rarely does my main (and latest vers) editing app use more than one core.

I had issues overclocking once that entailed re-installing OS as I dont really know what I am doing, and would rather be editing really!

At the back of my mind is that I currently have a 1066Mhz bus device and that I should get a 1333Mhz bus device so as info flows through my PC quicker (as I think of it ). My RAM can take it...

So I am looking at 'downgrading' to an Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 (3.16GHz) Socket 775 Wolfdale 1333FSB and could push this maybe to 3.5Ghz with a simple 'up' on the FSB. Losing the 'spare' two cores that are rarely used hardly seems an issue?

What do you think?

Cheers

D

Spec: XP SP2, Asus P5K-E Mobo, Q6600 Dual Quad Core @ 2.7Ghz (3.0 Ghz if I'm up against it!), 4Gb 800Mhz RAM Dual channel, 4 x 500Gb SATA Stripe O pairs, Quadro FX 1500 GFX, Soundblaster Audigy, Avid Mojo SDi.

[jetinder]

It depends on what application you're using to render video.

A lot of my friends have Q6600s at 2.4ghz and all 4 cores are used a lot most times they up to 90%-95% on each core when working hard.

If your application isnt designed to use multi cores efficiently, you can get the most powerful cpu in the world. Your application still won't feel as fast as one which is designed for multi core use or designed to use multi cores more efficiently.

2.7ghz -3.0ghz on a Q6600 isn't that fast (but it can still beat ANY AMD phenom II ), push overclock it to 3.4ghz. In the BIOS make sure the memory is set to your ram timings and then see what happens.

You have nothing to loose.

Last resort the Q9550 or 9650 are much faster than the Q6600 so you could try them.

[Flugel Hound]

Thanks mate. I THINK i upped the CPU voltage too high last time necessitating an OS install and I just cant be faffing with a PC that puts programmes together and risk hurting it mid project.

I use Avid, which is just starting to make some use of more than one core. I bought a multicore processor as the 'new' version 3 was supposed to make use of them, but that was just mostly internet folklore. They are getting there though (and using GPU more cleverly).

What do you think on the bus speed thing - 1066 v 1333. This might be more useful for me rather than outright processor speed. Avid rarely even uses the full power of a single core when rendering, despite my very fast 200MBS RAID SATA HDD's capable of taking it

D

[namuk]

Def Quad .. Q6600 x8 running 3.2 , 1.1 400Mhz mem 1600fsb ... on air . undervolted

my frend just give the E8650 to his bother and got a Quad but it was the Q9650. He thought the same about Dual core , untill he slapped that in been telling him for months. but real world testing you can not beat

but there is another factor what Mb is it going in? as this does help..

[Flugel Hound]

LOL - on air!!!

Its going in a Asus P5K-E Mobo.

How do i get the system FSB up? I know how to get the CPU clocking quicker (and cunningly that is callled FSB too!)

Cheers - I only have one shot at this LOL

D

[namuk]

This guide may help

C2D Overclocking Guide For Beginners P5K Add-On - Clunk's Forums.


As for Mb i ment the OP...

Originally Posted by Flugel Hound

LOL - on air!!!

Its going in a Asus P5K-E Mobo.

How do i get the system FSB up? I know how to get the CPU clocking quicker (and cunningly that is callled FSB too!)

Cheers - I only have one shot at this LOL

D

[jetinder]

My friends use Magix movie edit pro.

The FSB can be upped by adjusting the FSB frequency in your BIOS.

FSB 376 = 3.4ghz on standard volts.

Asus also has a windows utility which can do this as well.

[Flugel Hound]

Originally Posted by jetinder

My friends use Magix movie edit pro.

The FSB can be upped by adjusting the FSB frequency in your BIOS.

FSB 376 = 3.4ghz on standard volts.

Asus also has a windows utility which can do this as well.

I am printing my guide now Thanks for that (liking it here )

But how does the FSB 376 relate to the 3.4Ghz and the 1066Mhz speeds? What is the relationship between CPU clock speed and non CPU FSB speed. Related yes, but different measures of CPU processing speed and 'moving stuff about outside of the CPU' speed?

I hope I am not talking utter b0llox here

Lovely

D

[jetinder]

Originally Posted by Flugel Hound

I hope I am not talking utter b0llox here

No I'm not talking a load of kak.

Originally Posted by Flugel Hound

But how does the FSB 376 relate to the 3.4Ghz and the 1066Mhz speeds?

What is the relationship between CPU clock speed and non CPU FSB speed. Related yes, but different measures of CPU processing speed and 'moving stuff about outside of the CPU' speed?

Simple trail and error
i.e.

The FSB was increased from the standard 266 = 2.4ghz, each time it was increased by 1 PC was rebooted to Windows.

On re-boot the BIOS displayed what speed the CPU was running.

Carried on increasing by 1 up to a point where the CPU would no longer boot to windows and also no longer boot.

Then I knew what the max FSB was for that setup.

Ok its not a "classic" overclocking method as i was purely interested in CPU speed and let the motherboard take care of everything else.

But it worked and i didn't need to worry about the relationship between CPU clock speed, non CPU FSB speed, and 'moving stuff about outside of the CPU' speed?

Try it your self on your motherboard, worst which can happen is the PC won't boot due to wrong FSB and you'll need to reset the BIOS, but this way you will not fry your CPU.

[Flugel Hound]

Too dangerous for me - if I reset my BIOS I am too terrified of losing my hard won RAID configuration. The OS boots off a stripe pair (and then there are the other striped media drives...). I already run it at 2.7GHz anyway.

I may bite the bullet and get a raptor for the OS and save the raids for media only. Was just looking for SPEEEEEED!

Cheers

D