Core 2 Quad or Intel i5

[stomper]

Intel Boxed Processor Core 2 Quad Q8400
Hey guys, if you have to choose, which of the following CPU's would be best for the following applications I'm running. Both are priced the same.

Intel Core2Quad Q8400 2.66ghz vs Intel i5 650 3.2ghz

Apps:

AutoCAD 2010 64bit
Photoshop CS3
Video encoding and copying

BFBC2
Modern Warfare 2
ect.

Tnx allot

 

[ignatzatsonic]

The quad core scores maybe 16% better in the Passmark benchmarks, but---

The i5 can be boosted from 3.2 to 3.46 (single core Turbo). That 3.46 is a 30% advantage over the 2.66 of the quad core.

I regularly see comments from quad core owners saying they wish they had stayed with a higher clocked dual core.

I'd go with the dual core unless you can find convincing evidence that your particular applications can in fact benefit significantly from 4 cores. You would then have to decide how often you use the applications that might benefit.

Here is a long thread on dual core versus quad core:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=232212

 

[Fumz]

Why the i5-650 and not the 750?

BC2 would love you hard if you got a quad.

 

[stomper]

Why the i5-650 and not the 750?

BC2 would love you hard if you got a quad.

I know, BC2 is designed to run on Quad core, thats mainly why I asked cause the 650 is dual and I could get a quad for the same,(if not less) prise.

Would the 750 have a big performance advantage over the Q8400?

 

[imeem]

for video conversion, quad core is better. but that's only for programs that actually uses all the cores. BTW i have a Q8400 cpu and I play BC2. The cpu usage is for me is around 70%-100%

 

[stomper]

Ok so in a nutshell, It would be in my best interrest to fork out a few extra bucks and get the i5 750(quad core)?

I have the E8200 at the moment and it runs BC2 like a dream, but this new PC should last me at least 2 - 2.5 years.

Tnx for the replies.

 

[eduede]

Yes, go with the i5. keep in mind that intel is moving away from the old architecture and toward the Nehalem microarchitecture. the industry will note this and begin developing hardware and software applications with this kind of architecture and so you'll be making the right long term investment in the new technology. Nehalems all the way. as for gaming, it's not like you'll notice the difference between the i5 and the quadcore. where you'll notice the gains from the i5 is in multi-tasking on your rig...

 

[pparks1]

Yes, go with the i5. keep in mind that intel is moving away from the old architecture and toward the Nehalem microarchitecture. the industry will note this and begin developing hardware and software applications with this kind of architecture and so you'll be making the right long term investment in the new technology. Nehalems all the way. as for gaming, it's not like you'll notice the difference between the i5 and the quadcore. where you'll notice the gains from the i5 is in multi-tasking on your rig...

Worth mentioning though is that Intel changes their direction quite frequently. So, while Nehalem might be the technology of the day....chances are in a few years it will be something new. So, in 2 to 2.5 years...there will be a new thing people will be developing for.

I just buy what I can afford at the time and worry about later...later.

 

[eduede]

ppparks makes a good point, of course. i'm biased because i've got an i5 in a laptop and an i7 in a desktop and i'm amazed virtually everyday at how great these two machines work. for the first time in my life i feel like i'm driving my computer (responsiveness). i've had a dual core and a core 2 duo (never had a quad core) but i just remember the dual core and and core 2 getting bogged down pretty easily once things started piling on (not a memory problem, there was plenty of that). so, while i agree with ppparks that intel will change its tack, for now, the stuff in the iLine is wonderful and if you've got the money for it, i'd go for it.

(also, the wiring job in ppparks computer is dope. good work parks)

 

[pparks1]

i've had a dual core and a core 2 duo (never had a quad core) but i just remember the dual core and and core 2 getting bogged down pretty easily once things started piling on (not a memory problem, there was plenty of that). so, while i agree with ppparks that intel will change its tack, for now, the stuff in the iLine is wonderful and if you've got the money for it, i'd go for it.

For me, I've got a Core 2 Duo E8400 that I use as a desktop at work and I have a Core 2 Quad Q9550 at home and for me...both of these boxes have been absolutely fantastic. I've got 8GB of RAM in both as I am a systems admin and run lots of virtual machines. For my needs, my Q9550 is perfect and it's only a year old. I have no reason whatsoever to upgrade yet to anything in the iLine....although I do agree that they are fantastic CPU's.

 

[96accord]

Hey Stomper,

I don't have any useful information for you but I <3 BC2! I play it on my E6300 Core 2 Duo PC.

Add me if you want -> 96accord that's my in-game name.

-Jeff

 

[stomper]

Cool 96accord, i'll add you. Tnx for your input. As you can see in my System Specs my current PC is not that top of the line so I'll deffinetly see A difference once my new one is built.

I will save a little bit more and go for the i5 750 quad and a decent mobo,that'll keep me for a good few years. I've had my E8200 for almost 2yaers know and it is still going strong only hickup come when I encode movies, then it strains a bit.

Thanks for all your input, will keep everything said in mind when the big day arrives, when i built my first custom PC.

Cheers

 

[96accord]

I'm looking to upgrade my PC (motherboard/processor) also but my main reason is because my eVGA motherboard's USB ports are not working... I have to use a PCI USB card so my USB mouse, keyboard, ect work...

How often do you play BC2?

 

[Bill]

Did you think about going with an i7?

Bill

 

[stomper]

I'm looking to upgrade my PC (motherboard/processor) also but my main reason is because my eVGA motherboard's USB ports are not working... I have to use a PCI USB card so my USB mouse, keyboard, ect work...

How often do you play BC2?

A that sucks, my previous mobo also did that, one port at a time..hahha
Well I play about 3-4 time a week, 2hours a shot, I'm studying at the moment and doing practical so my days are quite full.

@ Bill, ja I did at first but the I7 is a little out of my price range so I'll have to pass,thats way I'll go for the i5 and comp. mobo now and then at a later stage I'll upgrade to i7 or to what else is new at the time.

I'm building the whole PC so is gonna be expensive(South Africa ) so no i7 for ma at right now.

 

[horizon]

I like core i5 better than core quad

 

[96accord]

A that sucks, my previous mobo also did that, one port at a time..hahha
Well I play about 3-4 time a week, 2hours a shot, I'm studying at the moment and doing practical so my days are quite full.

I'm building the whole PC so is gonna be expensive(South Africa ) so no i7 for ma at right now.

I played from about 7:30pm EST til around 10:30pm EST - Had a few good rounds and then got pissed because I was on the shitty team over and over....

You live in South Africa? (PS: Update your profile with your location ) but how is the network speeds over there? Where do you get your parts from?

Sorry for the questions but I'm curious.

-Jeff

PS: Can you PM me details on the new board and processor you are getting? (price.ect)

Thanks

 

[stormy13]

And then when these come out,

Intel Sandy Bridge: Details of the next gen | bit-tech.net

you can do it all over again with having to get a new motherboard to use one.

 

[blackroseMD1]

Stomper,
I would recommend going for the i5-750. It's a current gen quad core that could handle all those apps and games, and it's pretty cheap (about $50 more than the Q8400, depending on where you look). Plus, it overclocks pretty well, if you are into that sort of thing.

Plus, the C2Qs run on LGA775, while the i5 is on the 1156 socket which, along with the 1366 socket (i7), Intel is using now to replace the 775 socket. Good think to keep in mind when thinking about how you might upgrade in the future.

 

[stomper]

A that sucks, my previous mobo also did that, one port at a time..hahha
Well I play about 3-4 time a week, 2hours a shot, I'm studying at the moment and doing practical so my days are quite full.

I'm building the whole PC so is gonna be expensive(South Africa ) so no i7 for ma at right now.

I played from about 7:30pm EST til around 10:30pm EST - Had a few good rounds and then got pissed because I was on the shitty team over and over....

You live in South Africa? (PS: Update your profile with your location ) but how is the network speeds over there? Where do you get your parts from?

Sorry for the questions but I'm curious.

-Jeff

PS: Can you PM me details on the new board and processor you are getting? (price.ect)

Thanks

Ok, I have decided to go with the 750.

@96accord., the speeds in SA is crap when you try to join a international server(600ping with BC2), I have a 384kb/s line (30kb dl speed) uncapped which costs allot p/mnth.

We join the Saix gaming servers which is a local server, ping is about 120 on BC2 then.

Regarding the parts a wanna get

i5 750 R2,100 (US$262)
Asus P7P55D LE - Intel Socket LGA 1156 - Motherboard R 1,570 (US$196)

In total I really don't wanna spend more then R12,000 (US$1500) on the PC