To get dual-core over single-core or not?

[Cyanide]

I've got a Dual Core 4200+ and a single core 3400+, they both run at the same stock speed.

The 4200+ completely and utterly destroys the 3400. Everything runs faster, not because of clock speed but because there's one core to handle all the lil background stuff and one core completely dedicated to the main program I'm running. I don't even notice a difference when running a virus scan/defrag whilst playing Oblivion

 

[Delvis]

But...is it worth spending an Extra £40 or so on the X2 3800+ and then the extra £30 for the 4200+ over the 3800+

Sorry for being so silly with all the questions.

 

[squiffy]

The 4200+ completely and utterly destroys the 3400. Everything runs faster, not because of clock speed but because there's one core to handle all the lil background stuff and one core completely dedicated to the main program I'm running. I don't even notice a difference when running a virus scan/defrag whilst playing Oblivion

Ok going to try that, do AVG virus scan whilst on my horse with DC, then same again with affinity. I know it's unlikely you'll do a virus scan whilst gaming (schedule off) but generally lots of processes go in the background so should overall be faster. Yup it is faster on dual core- set affinity of Oblivion and AVG to core 1, bit of slow down. Not exactly a scientific benchmark though. I'll try encoding a DVD with both SC and DC.

 

[Cyanide]

But...is it worth spending an Extra £40 or so on the X2 3800+ and then the extra £30 for the 4200+ over the 3800+

Sorry for being so silly with all the questions.

Most probably worth it for the 3800+, not too sure about the 4200+ though (even though I've got one). If you're leaving it at stock then I'd go for it, if not you're probably better with the 3800+ as they clock really, really well... saying that I can run my 42 at 2.8 on stock volts to I guess it's just luck of the draw

 

[Delvis]

Ok going to try that, do AVG virus scan whilst on my horse with DC, then same again with affinity. I know it's unlikely you'll do a virus scan whilst gaming (schedule off) but generally lots of processes go in the background so should overall be faster.

Ya...only thing is....you read all these Benchies for games, and they all perform the same? But is that an average frmerate? Or like, MAX framerate? lol, Tis a tough decision...

 

[Iraklis F.C.]

try to find a second hand one.

 

[Cyanide]

I know it's unlikely you'll do a virus scan whilst gaming (schedule off)

I'm running Windows OnceCare at the moment... it seems to have a mind of it's own

 

[Delvis]

Most probably worth it for the 3800+, not too sure about the 4200+ though (even though I've got one). If you're leaving it at stock then I'd go for it, if not you're probably better with the 3800+ as they clock really, really well... saying that I can run my 42 at 2.8 on stock volts to I guess it's just luck of the draw

If im leaving it at stock ud get the 4200+, and if im clocking get the 3800+...Thing is, i "may" overclock in the future, not likely any time soon tho :S

 

[Delvis]

try to find a second hand one.

Hehe, id LOVE to get a secondhand 3800+ or 4200+...just, not clocked, and hardly used thats all

 

[Iraklis F.C.]

dont ya worry , clocked cores dont get any damage...unless they have been tortured with over 2 volts which is unlikely imho

 

[Delvis]

Yeah true true i guess....Dont know anyone personally whos selling any tho im affraid So thats...kinda out the Question..unless one randomly comes onto B-grade or sumin lol...unlikely tho.

 

[Iraklis F.C.]

just have a look at sales , someone will sell one

 

[Delvis]

Heh...maybe, Cant ask around either as im not on the members thingy yet, Ah wells, i can get a X2 3800+ reasonably cheap neways, just be nice if i can get a 4200+ for about the same.

 

[squiffy]

Posted this on another thread but useful for ya..

ok I'm starting a shrink of a 7.5GB DVD-Video ISO. Set shrink to not background mode (100%)

Both cores are at 97-100% constant (taskmanager showing 100% for both) There is a bit of slowdown, but machine is still usable in Windows (forums etc) although wouldn't do any more heavy work

Dual Core
Started 23:22
Finshed 23:28
So 6 minutes.

Set shrink afinity to CPU 0. Core 0 at 100%- task manager is showing 100% for core 0, core 1 is still doing something although around the frist line. Windows is not slowing down, as I have core 1 free.

Single Core
Started 23:29
Finished 23:40
11 minutes!


Granted Windows itself is sharing over dual core- but I'm not doing anything else, and the usual 1% CPU windows idle is of little relevence, but shrink itself is being limited to single core.