Getting a new PC, have ???'s concerning Intel Dual-Core vs. Hyper-threading

MadMax350 · Post by **MadMax350** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:16 am

Ok, basically I want to know what is better for running games concerning the Intel Pentium processors:

Hyperthreading or Dual-Core?

Pros and cons of each? Suggestions on what processor type (P4, Pentium-D, etc)?

I am not going to be doing any overclocking and I am thinking of purchasing a retail PC system. I plan on getting something that has at least a 800mhz FSB and 533mhz 1GB memory. Any help would be appreciated.

zooner · Post by **zooner** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 2:32 am

get 2 gigs of memory.

If you only intend on gaming, I really don't see the advantage of going dual core. You'd be just as happy with a ~3gig hyperthreading processor.

Also, don't go top-of-the-line with the processor. Spend the money you save on a better video card and more ram.

my 2 cents.

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 3:52 pm

I used to be a Intel man.. now I'm AMD when it comes to games I've just seen to much difference between the two.
If you have the cash stay single core and get a FX chip

MadMax350 · Post by **MadMax350** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 4:52 pm

zooner wrote:get 2 gigs of memory.

If you only intend on gaming, I really don't see the advantage of going dual core. You'd be just as happy with a ~3gig hyperthreading processor.

Also, don't go top-of-the-line with the processor. Spend the money you save on a better video card and more ram.

my 2 cents.

Good advice and it is greatly appreciated. So I guess my question is (just so I know) what would be an advantage to having a dual-core processor?

loop2kil · Post by **loop2kil** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 8:07 pm

MadMax350 wrote:Good advice and it is greatly appreciated. So I guess my question is (just so I know) what would be an advantage to having a dual-core processor?

Haven't been keeping up too much lately but i believe the dual core is actually 2 seperate processors in 1. So windows would see 4 logical processors with HT as well...correct me if im wrong.

Advantage would be supreme multitasking abilities though the X2 from AMD is suppose to do some pretty good multitasking as well.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 8:52 pm

GamePC articles....

Intel dual core
http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content ... 840&page=1

AMD's dual core
http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content ... 4x2&page=1

Izzo · Post by **Izzo** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 10:09 pm

I love my X2 4400 ...

that's about all i can add

MadMax350 · Post by **MadMax350** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 1:53 am

Thanks to the stonecat for the links to those articles. Good read and lots of info. What makes me curious is why the Intel Pentium-M processor fared so well even with its lack of clock speed? Anyway, I like the looks of the AMD performance numbers but I am hesitant of using it because many computer companies don't include it with their systems.

Now before you guys jump on me for wanting to go buy or order a "store-bought" PC; allow me to explain. First off, I run my own business and don't have the time to research what components (processor, mobo, memory, etc) that work best together. Second of all I built a PC last year for my brother-in-law using parts from newegg that were supposed to work together and to make a long story short it was a disaster. To sum it all up I went thru 3 mobos, 2 vid cards, and 1 processor before the PC actually powered up and worked. While I wasn't out any shipping money, I was out about 1 whole month of time just with shipping. So needless to say my patience is quite thin with some of this stuff.

The other reason I have for wanting to buy a store-bought PC is for the warranty and support. I have been looking at Dell and I have several relatives who have bought Dell PC's over the years and NONE have EVER had any issues. Also I don't think you can beat some of the package deals you get around the holidays. From past experience and from recent offerings I bet I will be able to pick up an XPS system with a Dual Core or Hyper-threading 3ghz processor w/ 800mhz fsb, 1gig of 533mhz DDR2 memory, 120gig SATA HDD, DVD/CD Burner, 19" flat panel monitor, base ATI video card, keyboard and mouse for about $1000.

Can anyone build a system of equiv or better components for the same price or less? If so, please list these components and I might consider building another PC again. But my question is: Will this system have any software or hardware compatibility problems?

Now, while I already have some of the stuff like the HDD and CD/DVD drives, a 19" CRT, keyboard, mouse, etc; I wouldn't mind getting a new PC with all this stuff and then just having my current PC (P3 800) as the primary PC for my business while I use the new PC to play games and edit video...which brings me back to the original point of this thread.

It is my understanding that hyperthreading gives the "virtual" appearance of 2 processors. However the test results that stonecat provided the links to have shown that HT can actually make some games slower. The thing I like about the dual-core setup is Windows will allow a game full use of one of the cores. The other core is then free to be used to run background applications (which are always running anyways and are a pain to turn off). Like I said, I want to also be able to do some DVD-video editing which eats up a lot of CPU resources, and it would be nice to have a dual-core processor so I can do something else while the video editing software is re-encoding the video.

What do you guys think? Am I totally mistaken here?

BTW, what is a good video card for $200 or less new? Why did the PC community discard use of the AGP ports?

SlyOneDoofy · Post by **SlyOneDoofy** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 2:05 am

Just buy a Dell......It won't be as good as a self-built comp but you'll have support. I bought a Dell for my mom because she kept calling me about her computer. Now Dell gets her crap, lol