Need to upgrade processor and MOBO - do I really need hyper threading?

DeaconFrost said:

I'm not sure what you are reading that makes you think HT is a bad thing, but it isn't. It isn't the same as adding an extra physical core, but for applications that can benefit from it, it does help. I have an i7-2600 that I am running now after upgrading from a Q9550 and I see a huge difference in my encoding tasks.

Agreed. And as pparks noted, some processors have it, some don't. In all honesty you'd want to get one that does HT as it helps with multi-tasking, something a lot of PC users do... read e-mail, surf the net and listen to music....

Hyper-Threading......

Hyper-threading is an Intel-proprietary technology used to improve parallelization of computations (doing multiple tasks at once) performed on PC microprocessors. For each processor core that is physically present, the operating system addresses two virtual processors, and shares the workload between them when possible. Hyper-threading requires not only that the operating system support multiple processors, but also that it be specifically optimized for HTT[1], and Intel recommends disabling HTT when using operating systems that have not been optimized for this chip feature.

This is a good thing, and does work

As for cost, the technology is imbedded in the processor, IE depending on what processor you get will determine if the tech is incorporated in the chip, not cost. In short you’re paying for the overall performance of the chip, not just one tech spec.
This is nothing to be concerned about.... unless you want it.

ignatzatsonic said:

JohnnyScience said:

Just out of curiosity is this one a lot better?

Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-970 Gulftown 3.2GHz 6 x 256KB L2 Cache 12MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor BX80613I7970

The MHz is slower but it has 6 cores

Will the speed of this one blow the i7 2600k series out of the water? (it better for the price difference!)

No.

PassMark Intel vs AMD CPU Benchmarks - High End

The 970 would be preferable only for certain specific tasks that can take advantage of the additional cores. The typical user does not regularly perform those tasks.

Actually you're looking at two different processor technologies. The i7-970 is an older i7 chip which requires older tech - a 1366 socket (X-58) motherboard.

The i7-2600 is the newer chip requiring a newer motherboard design - 1155 socket, P67 Motherboard for i7-2600, Z68 Motherboard for i7-2600K processors.

Note that the Z is a higher performance board and isn't needed to run a 2600K chip.

So, be very careful when chooing your dhip that you get the right motherboard - i7-900 (X-58 board), i7-2600(K) (p67/Z68 board).

It's hardly scientific, as I never took "before" measurements, but my average encoding time for a typical movie with Handbrake going to the Xbox 360 profile went from about 45 minutes down to 25-30 minute range.

I wouldn't say I upgraded out of necessity. I fell into a great deal on DDR3 memory, and that got the ball rolling. Once the upgrade bug started taking hold, there was little I could do.

I can almost guarantee you'll see some performance difference going from a Q9550 to the newer processors of today.

However If you're happy with what you have, you're happy.... but there's no doubt you'll see a performance difference considering the tech used with the newer processor - MB, RAM, CPU.

That's understandable. At this moment I'm completely happy with my i7-950 system :)

I also still have my Q6600 system that works like a charm as well.