processor and custom built question

Orwell · Post by **Orwell** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 3:55 am

As intel is coming out with core 2 duo, two processors in one and 64 bit at that. But everything I have is designed for a 32 bit system and single processor. Will these applications still run fine? If they do, will they take advantage of the dual core system, or will they be engaging a single processor? 2.93 ghz per processor but only one used would mean that it'd be a waste to get it when one could get a 3+ ghz processor that would be used to its full potential. I don't see the dual core, 64 bit market taking off greatly until vista comes out, if then.

If I do go with the 64 bit system, will I need to buy a new version of xp?

Also, could someone recommend some decent sites that will build and ship you a computer? I've found a couple, but they're either backwater from nowhere that uses old materials or don't seem all that trustworthy.

Willen · Post by **Willen** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 5:06 am

Orwell wrote:As intel is coming out with core 2 duo, two processors in one and 64 bit at that. But everything I have is designed for a 32 bit system and single processor. Will these applications still run fine? If they do, will they take advantage of the dual core system, or will they be engaging a single processor? 2.93 ghz per processor but only one used would mean that it'd be a waste to get it when one could get a 3+ ghz processor that would be used to its full potential. I don't see the dual core, 64 bit market taking off greatly until vista comes out, if then.

If I do go with the 64 bit system, will I need to buy a new version of xp?

The best thing about 64-bit processors that are based on the x86-64 architecture is that they are backwards compatible with existing 32-bit software. Although to actually take advantage of the 64-bit processing, you do need a 64-bit OS and 64-bit applications. So to actually get 64-bit performance with Windows XP you will need Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and the corresponding 64-bit drivers and 64-bit applications.

As for Dual Core processors, if you do any multitasking and are currently running a Dual/Multi Processor aware OS (WinNT, Win2K, WinXP) you can definately benefit. Dual Core will allow you to run multiple programs simultaneously without the performance hit that traditional single core systems will suffer (assuming you have enough RAM). And programs that can take advantage of Dual Core processing can see performance gains close to 2x depending on optimizations. For example, TMPGEnc can take advantage of Dual Core systems to decrease encoding times. I can do tests on my A64 X2 3800+ to find out how much improvement is realized encoding in TMPGEnc with both cores enabled, compared to when one core is disabled, if you are curious.

Programs that were written for single core processors will just ignore the second core. The OS then can decide to use the second core for other tasks or just not utilize it. Most applications today are multi-threaded so even they will see some benefits of running on a Dual Core system.

sysKin · Post by **sysKin** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:48 am

Willen is 100% correct, but this is my version of the answers

Orwell wrote:But everything I have is designed for a 32 bit system and single processor.

Many of your applications are designed to work on multiple processors and you don't even know this (virtualdub anyone?

).

Will these applications still run fine? If they do, will they take advantage of the dual core system, or will they be engaging a single processor?

Yes they will run fine. In the worst case, a single application might only use one core, but you almost always have more programs running somewhere in the background which will use the second core.
As for 64-bit-ness, if you don't use a 64-bit OS, this capability is disabled. This is what is recommended with windows because its driver support is horrible.
If you use linux, just run a 64-bit version instead, it will be a bit faster.

2.93 ghz per processor but only one used would mean that it'd be a waste to get it when one could get a 3+ ghz processor that would be used to its full potential.

Hopefully you're not talking about old P4/PD processors. They are very slow compared to Core, whether your application uses dual cores or not.

I don't see the dual core, 64 bit market taking off greatly until vista comes out, if then.

If you mean 64-bit Windows then yes. If you mean dual cores, that market has taken off long ago. I can't imagine anyone buying a single-core CPU these days, it's pointless. Almost all applications benefit from two cores, and AMD is now following up with double-dual-core for desktops (aka 4X4).
AMD's very successful dualcore architecture is now pretty much at second generation already, while Intel's sorry excuse for two cores (sorry, just plainly true until Conroe. Inter-core communication is waaay to slow) is cheap as cheaps.

If I do go with the 64 bit system, will I need to buy a new version of xp?

Only if you want it to operate in 64-bit mode. I don't see why you'd need do that.

Orwell · Post by **Orwell** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 2:16 pm

sysKin wrote:Many of your applications are designed to work on multiple processors and you don't even know this (virtualdub anyone? ).

As long as the computer runs I don't question it, enough eletronics kill themselves when I just use them, this computer would probably burst into flames if I started to figure out what all the hardware actually means. Thanks to both of you for the explanation, I think I'll just hang onto my 32 bit xp until vista comes out or I hear a good review of XP x64.

Willen - if it wouldn't be too much trouble, I am curious about it. I imagine the speed up in encoding will apply to all video editing/animating programs?

Also, could someone recommend some trustworthy, decent sites to order a custom computer from, that will include the core 2 duo when its released?

Joe88 · Post by **Joe88** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 5:22 pm

Intel rushed their dual core out to beat AMD to the punch
but now is suffering for its mistake
kinda like the xbox 360 being released before PS3 Wii

will intel core 2 duo fix the problems ? who knows ...

here is an article from PC World mag on dual cores...

as far as 64bit windows goes..
I was talking to people online and they said they were having bad program compatibilty with 64bit XP. some anti-virus program wouldnt work, a couple of popular games wouldt run ect..
I think theres a compatibility chart online some where.

As far as laptops go intel core duo wins the processor fight there

but in desktops AMD wins.

Though I still perfer intel, I have always used them and will keep using them.
From my first intel i386 processor back in the day with a wopping 33mhz from my second and third DX ones and so on...

Willen · Post by **Willen** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:27 am

Orwell wrote:Willen - if it wouldn't be too much trouble, I am curious about it.

I'll try to do it this weekend, since I have to convert some videos to DVD with TMPGEnc anyways.

Orwell · Post by **Orwell** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:43 am

Alright, thanks. I'd still like an answer on some recommend custom computer building sites if anybody has any recommendations.

oldwrench · Post by **oldwrench** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 8:28 am

People like Dell and Tiger direct will custom build for you. If you really want high end stuff try Falcon NW http://www.falcon-nw.com/ . There are plenty of others, check out computer magazines, my favorite is Maximum PC http://maximumpc.com/

Gods Dark Angel · Post by **Gods Dark Angel** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 8:43 am

I highly recommend tiger direct, its where i got my

AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3400+, ~2.4GHz

Joe88 · Post by **Joe88** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 9:00 pm

Go to http://www.newegg.com/
its probably the best comp retailer part online store
scroll to the bottom to see all the awords it has recieved

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