Dual Core 3.2Gz or Core Duo 1.87Ghz (Performance)?
 

I have a dilema and a budget.

How fast is a dualcore 3.2ghz processor? Im not a softsynth fan....but Id like the capability to run insert effects and waves software on my tracks.

WTF is a Core Duo? Are these alot faser than the Pentium D's?

Just how much processing power do you need to run some nice insert effects, waves and eq etc etc?

Im a complete computer noob. I mainly use hardware.

Any advice please....

DS

Basically Core 2 Duo is just a brand of dual core processors...

I would recommend the E6600 Core 2 Duo processor, cheap, powerful & efficient & will last a while (64bit). Its got the higher L2 cache, is not as pricey as the E6800 but easily overclockable to produce similar, if not better performance.

Some guy has OC'ed his E6600 to 4.6GHz, thats dual core, so actually 9.2GHz...

Although quad cores are going to drop in price very soon (IMO)


Drammy

Core 2 Duos are a much better architecture than the dual core Pentium D processors. Basically the pentium d's were intel's rush job to get a chip into the multi core market (to compete with amd). Of course there is nothing wrong with using a pentium d (and they should be quite inexpensive now a days) but if you think you may be pushing your new computer pretty hard, then a core 2 duo is a better way to go.

I see drammy beat me to the post ;)

on a side note, I agree with drammy - go with the 6600 series - best bang for the buck!

i got a 6600 core 2 duo.......AND IT FUCKIN' ROCKS

DS, if you can wait a few weeks, intel is going to drop their core 2 duo -processor prices. AMD is also going to cut their prices (again). A very cheap solution would be to get an AMD x2 4600+ / 4800+ or something but you will have to switch your motherboard next time when you upgrade your processor in the future (usually that's the case anyway). I would probably wait a little and get an intel core 2 duo processor. They are the best consumer processors available right now. Quad core-processors are coming too and if you buy now a good motherboard for a core 2 duo, you can later upgrade to a quad core processor. Of course the socket types change all the time and it could be that next time you're going to upgrade your computer, you will switch your mobo anyway. Btw, the quad cores which intel sell now are not real quad cores but 2 dualcore chips on the same die. AMD will bring "Barcelona" and intel also has a new real quadcore processor coming soon which means that all the cores of the processor have their own memory line etc. which improves performance. Anyway, if you just need to run your insert fx etc. you're pretty much fine with any fast dualcore processor which you can buy now and if you get a grazy idea of running softsynths too, it's also possible. ;)

I would advice you not to get the latest processor out there and go step back to something few months old and save 200 sometimes even more US$
for just a hundred or so mhz less powerful.

by the way, all of you who are running a core 2 duo/quad core with windows should take a look at this recent microcode update --

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936357

Cheers shag