Fast Dual Core or Slower Quad Core?

Gonzo

Im thinking of getting a new computer system from komplett.ie and im thinking of 4gigs of memory and either a gforce 8800GTX or the ultra version, however im not sure which processor is best. Theres a 5 euro difference between the fastest dual core processor the E6850 3.0ghz, 1333mhz socket with 4mb cache and the Q6600 Quad Core 2.4ghz with 8mb cache.

The computer will be used for Macromedia Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, Adobe photoshop and also to play some the latest games like Crysis, Bioshock, Unreal Tournment 2007 as well as older ones such as Half Life 2 and Counterstrike Source.

With a 5 euro difference between processors which would yield me better results overall between the dual core and quad core.

Cheers

AlmightyCushion

Get the quad core, it'll be more future proof. I think crysis actually benefits from a quad as well.

TerrorFirmer

I'd also go with the quad, not sure which of those apps you listed can utilise multiple cores but if you're using a lot of apps as well as gaming Quad Core would be better. For gaming, either would be fine, though the 6850 would probably be better, most games are not optimised for quad core and those that can use it generally don't see any significant benefits going from dual to quad (not as much as you'd see in the difference between 2.4 and 3Ghz). That said though, from this point on it'll be becoming more and more common, not to mention that even at stock 2.4Ghz will eat any game, so why not?

allen175

go for the quad, thats what im doin! u can get it for about 230€ from aria.co.uk, thats where i am goin to get all my parts for my upgrade!!

PogMoThoin

Get the quad, add a better cooler & clock it to 3Ghz

dazftw

Get the quad.. from playing crysis your going to need it!

K.O.Kiki

Get an 8800GT - it's faster than a GTS.

sector

ye quad deffo, just got this one & it moves real fast
quad core extreme q6850 3ghz

awhir

sector wrote: »

ye quad deffo, just got this one & it moves real fast
quad core extreme q6850 3ghz

wow som1 gots loads of cash can i have some

ya go for quad.keep up with the times

Hendrix89

I've been playing a lot of the Crysis demo and have to say I saw no benifit from my Quad.... Horrible slowdowns during physics intensive situations... And these kind of games are pretty much what I got the thing for...

Hopefully it's just the demo though. Somehow I doubt it.

awhir

Hendrix89 wrote: »

I've been playing a lot of the Crysis demo and have to say I saw no benifit from my Quad.... Horrible slowdowns during physics intensive situations... And these kind of games are pretty much what I got the thing for...

Hopefully it's just the demo though. Somehow I doubt it.

8800GTS 640mb

crysis has been show to use 4 cores.

also: the clocks on ur card is a bottleneck ur memory is only running at 800 while ur core is running at insane speeds at 690.

CivilServant

awhir wrote: »

8800GTS 640mb

crysis has been show to use 4 cores.

also: the clocks on ur card is a bottleneck ur memory is only running at 800 while ur core is running at insane speeds at 690.

No it hasn't, link or it didn't happen :rolleyes:

If you don't want to accept the word of someone who actually HAS a quad core, then I don't know what to tell you...

Hendrix89

awhir wrote: »

8800GTS 640mb

crysis has been show to use 4 cores.

also: the clocks on ur card is a bottleneck ur memory is only running at 800 while ur core is running at insane speeds at 690.

Well it only barely uses two cores let alone the others... The 4 cores are definately not being utilised enough.. It may just be like this with the demo though.

About my GTS OC.. The memory is at 985mhz (1970 effective), surely thats not bottlenecking? Won't go higher anyway.

All in all it's game stable

awhir

Hendrix89 wrote: »

Well it only barely uses two cores let alone the others... The 4 cores are definately not being utilised enough.. It may just be like this with the demo though.

About my GTS OC.. The memory is at 985mhz (1970 effective), surely thats not bottlenecking? Won't go higher anyway.

All in all it's game stable

fix ur sig then hehe btw that a very good overclock on that card.

also the day the demo came out i seen 2 or 3 lads who showed 4 cores being used while playing the game.

will look for the link tomorrow.

Hendrix89

Yeah but I wish I could hit 1k on the memory though. Just tried there a second ago and it's not gonna happen.. Never artifacts.. games just freeze at 1000mhz..:( Ah well I guess somethings gotta be sacrificed for a 690 core!

And yeah thanks I'd be interested to check out that link. Post it up if you can find it. I'm just convinced that my Quad isnt doing much across the cores.

daveharnett

Gonzo wrote: »

either a gforce 8800GTX or the ultra

I'd strongly recommend you consider getting 2 8800 gts in sli instead. Stay away from the ultra, it's only marginally better than a gtx and terrible value for money. You can get a pair of gts for a little more than a single gtx.

As for the processor, the 6750 is perfect for games, but the q6600 will probably last longer. Again, i'd say the 6850 is bad value for money. (Same chip as the 6750 but €80 more)

Gonzo

thx everyone for replying, with every reply in favour of quad over dual core im definitely gonna go with the quad core now. However im gonna hold off for 2 weeks to see what happens, im half thinking of ordering 2 of nivida's new 8800GT 512mb instead of 1 8800GTX 768mb but they havent appeared on komplett's system builder yet. Im using this as I dont know how to put a pc together myself and would rather its properly built together by Komplett.

Also I read that Intells newest processor, the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Penryn is expected to be released on November 12th, while I wont be getting it, maybe the prices of current quad core processors may fall in price by then and that I can get a Q6600 or Q6700 for cheaper. Komplett are also currently out of stock on the Q6700 so hopefully in 2 weeks time I can finally make up my mind and have my new system ready for the christmas!