Core 2 Duo vs Core 2 Quad

[Dolby]

I just naturally assumed the Core 2 Quad is the best - but after a friend of mine showed me some benchmark figures on the net, it seems it's not always the case?

He showed me a Core 2 Duo 3.0ghz vs Core 2 Quad 2.4ghz ... and it seemed the Duo was the better option. Does it depend on the application you're running?

 

[killadoob]

Nope 3.0ghz will always be better than 2.4ghz , i find my quadcore much better than old e8400 @ 4.0ghz, system just runs alot smoother.

 

[Chevron]

I just naturally assumed the Core 2 Quad is the best - but after a friend of mine showed me some benchmark figures on the net, it seems it's not always the case?

He showed me a Core 2 Duo 3.0ghz vs Core 2 Quad 2.4ghz ... and it seemed the Duo was the better option. Does it depend on the application you're running?

Yes of course it does. Not all apps support quad cores. Of course you could just overclock the quad to 3Ghz.

 

[Keeper]

yes. so quad core won't help much in older games - but the ones in 2009 will start using 4 cores properly.

IMHO the duo will render a few frames faster than the quad, cause of it's sheer speed, but it isn't worth it - the quad is overall better when doing lots of stuff in windows at the same time - browsing 10 pages, downloading, mp3's playing, zipping a file while virus scan is in the background.

and the quad will be good enough for games anyway.

 

[killadoob]

Yes of course it does. Not all apps support quad cores. Of course you could just overclock the quad to 3Ghz.

You could also overclock the dual core to 4.0ghz

Keeper is spot on though.

 

[LazyLion]

As more and more apps are released that utilise the multiple cores... you will see a definite improvement!

Anybody know where we can find such a list of which apps support multiple cores at this stage?

/me goes to google....

 

[Chevron]

Keeper is spot on though.

Was thinking the same thing.

 

[Keeper]

But here's more on getting the best bang for your buck, that I found when upgrading. (I did some extensive testing with benchmarks,etc)

Don't even worry about processor that much - put your money into the gfx card instead of spending stacks on your chip, and running a cheaper 3D card.

quick example: a E8500 + 4870x2 will knock the socks off a brand new CPU with a 4850

 

[Dolby]

So at this stage, I shouldn't look at a Duo ... ? Rather go for a Quad for future benefits?

I'm not one that upgrades my PC at all - so this must last me a few years ...

 

[killadoob]

Yea but i would imagine a q9300 or q6600 would kick that setup in a game like gta4 which uses 3 cores.

Last a few years = quadcores

 

[Chevron]

But here's more on getting the best bang for your buck, that I found when upgrading. (I did some extensive testing with benchmarks,etc)

Don't even worry about processor that much - put your money into the gfx card instead of spending stacks on your chip, and running a cheaper 3D card.

quick example: a E8500 + 4870x2 will knock the socks off a brand new CPU with a 4850

In games.

 

[Keeper]

In games.

of course.

 

[milomak]

While dual cores often perform better than quaff cores when it comes to games, it must be remembered that it’s not like they are left in the dust. So in many cases it’s like asking should I buy a car that has a max speed of 350kph or 320kph. At that speed, does it really matter?

 

[Chevron]

So at this stage, I shouldn't look at a Duo ... ? Rather go for a Quad for future benefits?

I'm not one that upgrades my PC at all - so this must last me a few years ...

As killadoob said, "last a few years" = quads.

There's an echo here today.