| Author
|
intel cpus: core duo or quad?
|
klippel
Stereofeld
Started Topics :
91
Posts :
1153
Posted : Jul 28, 2007 19:29
|
hi guys,
i´m building up a new workstation.
what should i go for? a core duo or quad.
prices have dropped for the quads but does cubase sx3 benefit from 4 cpus?
and what about ram. would you go for 800fsb and low cl´s or would you take ram with higher fsb with higher lc´s?
thanks for your advices!
cheers tim
|
|
|
Tomos
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
84
Posts :
981
Posted : Jul 29, 2007 16:33
|
Your question translates to .. shall I buy a computer, or a computer with twice that power.
Everyone wants as much power as they can afford, can you afford it?
I use a Core 2 Duo and Cubase balances all my plugins in separate threads across the cores. So yes.. you'll get the benefit of quad.
|
|
|
|
Tito
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
2
Posted : Aug 2, 2007 03:07
|
Hi there Tomos,
Do u have to tune the settings in cubase for it to balance the plugings in separate threads like u said (with a core 2 duo), or does it work automatically ?
Thanks !
cheers |
|
|
|
Tomos
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
84
Posts :
981
Posted : Aug 3, 2007 02:09
|
|
I've not changed any settings. I'm guessing every plugin is it's own thread so the OS will balance everything to available processors for you. |
|
|
|
knocz
Moderator
Started Topics :
40
Posts :
1151
Posted : Aug 4, 2007 16:12
|
Quad core is like having 2 core duos, so the performance is a lot higher, but so is the price and the heat... But in either choices I recommend you buying a couple of coolers... It all depends on how much you want to spend..
Tomos: so what balances the vst threw the cores? Cubase or the OS?
 Super Banana Sauce http://www.soundcloud.com/knocz |
|
|
|
makus
Overdream
Started Topics :
82
Posts :
3087
Posted : Aug 4, 2007 22:20
|
Quote:
|
On 2007-08-04 16:12, knocz wrote:
Quad core is like having 2 core duos |
|
actually even more i think, as core 2 duo is NOT the same as 2x1 core processor.
www.overdreamstudio.com |
|
|
|
Tomos
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
84
Posts :
981
Posted : Aug 5, 2007 12:14
|
|
It's true. Core 2 Duo is not like 2x1 processor, the cores are linked together on one silicon die. Intels version of Quad core however is like 2xCore Duo because there is a bridge between the dual core dies. AMD are the only quad core manufacturers to produce true 4xcore on one chip. Although all manufacturers will be going this way eventually. It's something to do with memory speed and bottlenecks. |
|
|
|
astrotec
Started Topics :
7
Posts :
193
Posted : Aug 5, 2007 12:58
|
|
aren't amd's faster than intel anyway? with the front side bus and less memory cycles and all that stuff. |
|
|
|
--==Bad Sector==--
Triamera
Started Topics :
69
Posts :
1812
Posted : Aug 11, 2007 17:09
|
are all the programs/plugs etc compatible with quad core ? 
or is it advisible to get a core 2 duo e6850 over a quad core q6600 
Nocturnal Wizardz Recs
Bhooteshwara Records
Cubasing is like Freebasing, just with audio.
Both cost more than you can afford, and leaves you sitting in a dark room with no life,craving for more. |
|
|
|
orange
Fat Data
Started Topics :
154
Posts :
3918
Posted : Aug 11, 2007 17:20
|
Quote:
|
On 2007-08-05 12:58, astrotec wrote:
aren't amd's faster than intel anyway? with the front side bus and less memory cycles and all that stuff.
|
|
they were faster about 2 years ago!
now after the first release of intel core 2 duo even the mid priced models where faster than the fastest and more expensive amd cpu and unfortunately for amd this havent changed since than at all!
orange
http://www.landmark-recordings.com/
http://soundcloud.com/kymamusic |
|
|
|
orange
Fat Data
Started Topics :
154
Posts :
3918
Posted : Aug 11, 2007 17:22
|
Quote:
|
On 2007-08-11 17:09, --==Bad Sector==-- wrote:
are all the programs/plugs etc compatible with quad core ?
or is it advisible to get a core 2 duo e6850 over a quad core q6600
|
|
maybe some apps are nto compatible with quad core but they will take advantage of the 2 cores and u will have a machine thats ready for the new apps that support the quad core architecture !
orange
http://www.landmark-recordings.com/
http://soundcloud.com/kymamusic |
|
|
|
Dharma Lab
Started Topics :
8
Posts :
342
Posted : Aug 13, 2007 20:41
|
Quote:
|
On 2007-08-11 17:09, --==Bad Sector==-- wrote:
are all the programs/plugs etc compatible with quad core ?
or is it advisible to get a core 2 duo e6850 over a quad core q6600
|
|
I've heard that Cubase is a mixed bag of multi-core support. It's my understanding that Ableton Live & Sonar have full mutli-core support (also called multi-threading).
Any program that is multi-thread should run better on the quad than the dual, because it can use all 4. Any program that is not multi-thread will run better on the dual core, only because the E6850 has a higher clock speed than the Q6600...or so I thought the logic would go, until I finally ran across this...
http://www.adkproaudio.com/benchmarks.cfm
It's shows mixed results comparing dual core, vs. quad core, vs. multiple quad core. Very interesting that as you reduce the buffer size of your sound card, the performance gap that the quad has over the dual gets smaller, and in some cases, the dual core outperformed the quad.
In the end, I would still recommend the quad, since multi-thread support could always be added to an app down the line, and the specs of the benchmarks above might get better.
I always do a lot of research before upgrading, and those considering buying a Quad core consider the following:
1) AMD quad cores should be released this month. No benchmarks yet, but it's probably worth waiting a few weeks to see how they stack up.
2) If you are getting the Intel Q6xxx series quad core, look for the brand new G0 stepping over the older B3 stepping. This new version runs cooler, & offers better overclocking potential.
3) Intel slashed it's prices on the quads, but many retailers who dropped price to match have raised them up again, since demand is high. Rather than a Q6600, I am considering a Xeon x3220 (with G0 stepping) because:
a) Prices are in the same range as Q6600 at many places
b) Xeons processors usually are more consistent.
c) G0 stepping of X3220 has thermal max temp much higher than Q6600, offering more overclocking potential.
I know that many people may be afraid of overcloking, but the Intel dual & quad cores
have been proven time & time again to run stable overclocked even on the stock heatsink/coolers. JUst about anyone can get an extra 400-800 mHz speed (per core!) if they have a decent motherboard just by going into the bios & changing a few settings.
Keep The Faith,
Christian K. |
|
|
|
Seppa
Started Topics :
8
Posts :
485
Posted : Aug 14, 2007 14:42
|
Its really simple . If you use apllications that handles multicore processors , then the quad is no match for any cpu having less than 4 core.
differences is felt for multitasking, stability, speed, power.....
its simply better....so if you have a choice go for the quad. even if you dont use multicore applications now you probably will soon.... |
|
|
|
--==Bad Sector==--
Triamera
Started Topics :
69
Posts :
1812
Posted : Aug 14, 2007 16:53
|
hey dharma lab thanks for all that info man ... really appriciate it
one more question
what if i go for the new iMAcs
Nocturnal Wizardz Recs
Bhooteshwara Records
Cubasing is like Freebasing, just with audio.
Both cost more than you can afford, and leaves you sitting in a dark room with no life,craving for more. |
|
|
|
