CPU Speed vs Number of Cores?
Computer Illiterate... My computer usage includes minimal gaming, graphics, and multi-tasking. 99% of the time surfing downloading PDF tech articles, using Microsoft Word, etc. I am confused ...
Forum Discussion
Mex,
To directly answer your question needs two questions answered.
What Operating system are you using/planning.
How many concurrent programs do you run at once.
Xp is some versions can handle a dual, but a quad - no.
Xpro-64 can use a quad, but not well.
Vista can handle a quad, still not great, but better.
Win7-64 can use a quad so all the working packages run at speed.
Win8 was so bad I put that machine back to Xpro64 and haven't gotten the 8.1 upgrade.
If you only have two programs at a time, a quad-core won't get you much over a dual. So, if you don't have to do this, don't spend the money on it. Quads also need a lot of memory to be worth a 5h1t. By that I mean you have to start at about 4 gig and more is better.
For me, three programs is kind of a minimum, so I can Immediately see what a quad does. My business (what is left after the depression flattened it) requires that I often have three or for things going. Like a browser, a catalog in *.pdf, a graphics package looking at pictures of the clients problem, and when I did that with a dual core, things would get slow. But, if you aren't that level of user, save the money for booze and loose women.
I no longer build computers for other people but I did I would query the client at great length, and then write a proposal. They often choose to save the cost and were still happy.
Matt
To directly answer your question needs two questions answered.
What Operating system are you using/planning.
How many concurrent programs do you run at once.
Xp is some versions can handle a dual, but a quad - no.
Xpro-64 can use a quad, but not well.
Vista can handle a quad, still not great, but better.
Win7-64 can use a quad so all the working packages run at speed.
Win8 was so bad I put that machine back to Xpro64 and haven't gotten the 8.1 upgrade.
If you only have two programs at a time, a quad-core won't get you much over a dual. So, if you don't have to do this, don't spend the money on it. Quads also need a lot of memory to be worth a 5h1t. By that I mean you have to start at about 4 gig and more is better.
For me, three programs is kind of a minimum, so I can Immediately see what a quad does. My business (what is left after the depression flattened it) requires that I often have three or for things going. Like a browser, a catalog in *.pdf, a graphics package looking at pictures of the clients problem, and when I did that with a dual core, things would get slow. But, if you aren't that level of user, save the money for booze and loose women.
I no longer build computers for other people but I did I would query the client at great length, and then write a proposal. They often choose to save the cost and were still happy.
Matt
