[Q]Dual Core/Quad Core - A big difference?

[Intelext]

Hello, I will buy a new PC soon and I see that there are Dual Core and Quad Core choice. My question is: Is it's a big difference? Quad core are much faster for games? I'm also buying GeForce 9800GFX2 video card with 2 processors inside - does this matter witch processor on motherboard I will use, quad or dual.


Thanks.

 

[DaOdin]

Not really. There was a test before that showed Dual Core could be faster then quad core at some points.

 

[linklink88]

Today I'd buy a dualcore since the use of 4 cores doesn't justify the extra heat and lower clock. Quadcore > dualcore when it comes to heavy programs like encoding and compressing big files but other then that 2 cores are enough

 

[Aaron]

I would most definitely go with a dual core.

 

[Alfons]

Depends what speed the CPU's are clocked at.

 

[Netrogor]

And if you are comfortable over-clocking, and the chosen CPU is OC-friendly.
Such as the Phenom 9950BE - people have OCed that from 2.6GHz to 3.5GHz on air without much in the way of problems (on proper motherboards that support the high power consumption).
So, if you don't mind a $1 increase on your electric bill, per month, that may be worth it.

Of course, you need a reason to get quad-core if those are your thoughts - for me, I am a many-server-hosting/gaming/modeling/mapping/skinning/programming megatasker of the sorts... so it is a must for me.

 

[Rishwin]

Look at it this way :

An E8500 is $200. It has 3.16mhz, has an FSB of 1333Mhz and 6mb of L2 cache.

To get the quad core equivalent, you need to buy a QX9770. This is over $1,600. It runs at 3.2ghz, also has an FSB of 1333, but has 12MB of L2 cache. Twice the cache, 2 extra cores (which are not in use 50% of the time), and extra heat... is that worth an extra $1,400?

If you get a Q6600 which is also $200, you will be able to run multiple programs at a time, but if you want to be gaming (with that GFX card you are getting, i assume it is for gaming), then you want the E8500.

 

[Enter Name]

Myby someone here sed it, but it depends on the program. Some games work with quad some don't. I think Vista might work the quad core better then XP. Not sure, all i no vista works faster on multi apps then xp on my cpu. (dual core).

 

[nathan123]

I have a quad core, but i encode a lot and edit music a lot, so it works for me. Also i don't need it to run fast, just have the power to edit well, which my Q6600 does. For now i think dual cores run games and such better, and ive heard that vista can work multiple cores better than XP

 

[Enter Name]

Try using msconfig and advanced setting in there and switch it to use 2 cores while loading. There is some performance difference.
EDIT: Vista BTW

 

[Jhewt]

Well, gaming = 2 cores. I've a Q6600 and i use it for video and 3d rendering, it's a lot faster than a dual but, for gamming is exactly the same or less.