Question: Intel Core 2 Duo or Quad processor?

[mweishaa]

OK, my Duron 1.3 has served me well, but it's time for a new system. I have a guy selling me an Intel mobo cheap, so I just need to get the processor. I'll be installing 64-bit Kubuntu, and I do run concurrent processes.

If I can get these at the same price, which to go for?

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 Yorkfield 2.66GHz 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

[dibl]

Re: Question: Intel Core 2 Duo or Quad processor?

The quad core will do a better job multi-tasking. So if you're going to have lots of work happening simultaneously, that's the way to go. Say you have a Compiz cube, and on side #1 is your browser running youtube.com, side #2 is Amarok, side #3 is gftp downloading porn, and side #4 is burning CDs with K3b.

The E8400 is 12% faster. You will notice that difference if you do tasks that are strictly processor PIO-intensive, such as encoding a video or audio file, or running an old-fashioned Windows database on a VM (my favorite thing to do). But once you have both cores working hard, you're done multitasking.

So, pick your poison ....

[mweishaa]

Re: Question: Intel Core 2 Duo or Quad processor?

The quad core will do a better job multi-tasking. So if you're going to have lots of work happening simultaneously, that's the way to go. Say you have a Compiz cube, and on side #1 is your browser running youtube.com, side #2 is Amarok, side #3 is gftp downloading porn, and side #4 is burning CDs with K3b.

The E8400 is 12% faster. You will notice that difference if you do tasks that are strictly processor PIO-intensive, such as encoding a video or audio file, or running an old-fashioned Windows database on a VM (my favorite thing to do). But once you have both cores working, you're done.

So, pick your poison ....

It sounds like a toss-up, but a win-win situation considering my current system. But as I was afraid of... there's no clear winner. I am leaning towards the quad-core... but am wavering.

Dual-core: 6 MB L2 Cache... 3 GHz... 65W
Quad-core: 4 MB L2 Cache... 2.66 GHz... 95W

What about the wattage? Will that translate to any real-world significance since my machine is up 24x7?

[olembe]

Re: Question: Intel Core 2 Duo or Quad processor?

It could matter a little bit, but only a little.

Assume electricity costs 10 US cents per kW hour. My low-power Core Duo laptop is currently drawing 16 W. Let's say, for the sake of argument, you'd draw 35 W for a desktop system (remember, you're unlikely to be drawing full power all the time. Remember also the figure I've given includes the monitor etc).

So at 35 W it would be 28.6 hours before you drew a kW and spent 10 cents. To put this the other way, it would be about 0.35 cents/hour, or 8.4 c/day

If you had the hungrier processor I'd guess it would be something like a 10-20% difference in consumption with normal usage. So it might cost you 0.40 cents/hour, or 9.6 c/day.

It's not going to break the bank.

[dibl]

Re: Question: Intel Core 2 Duo or Quad processor?

What about the wattage? Will that translate to any real-world significance since my machine is up 24x7?

The only practical concern, IMO, is that you had better be sure to take the extra CPU wattage into consideration, along with your GPU and other system devices, and have a PSU that is well beyond the calculated total system power requirement.

I suppose your electric bill is "real world", but you can do that math on what 30 watts per day amounts to, in money. It's not much -- you can turn off a 60-watt lightbulb and save more.

[mweishaa]

Re: Question: Intel Core 2 Duo or Quad processor?

Well, I just completed my newegg order, I'm going with the quad-core.
I'll be putting Kubuntu 64-bit on this rig... can't wait! Thanks for the responses in this thread.

I had $270 in my budget to spend, I think I did pretty well.

Rosewill Green Series RG430-2 430W Continuous @40°C, 80 PLUS
Certified, ATX12V v2.3 & EPS12V v2.91,Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817182159
$64.99 reg price
$49.99 sale price

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 Yorkfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80580Q8400 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115057
$169.99

Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PVS24G6400LLK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820220293
$53.99 ($25 mfr rebate available)

Subtotal $273.97
Tax $0.00
UPS Ground $5.99
Promo Code -$10.00 (for PSU)
Order Total $269.96

[Troberg]

Re: Question: Intel Core 2 Duo or Quad processor?

Simple, rule of thumb, advice:

* If it's a workstation, go for the faster duo. You'll want snappier response in the program you are actively working with.
* If it's a server, you want the quad. This will give you smoother and fairer performance on all tasks running.

At least that's what I would do.

Or, even better, do what I did. I have a dual CPU motherboard with two dual core CPU's. That machine never becomes jerky or unresponsive, it just slows down a little when it's maxed out.

[mweishaa]

Re: Question: Intel Core 2 Duo or Quad processor?

Simple, rule of thumb, advice:

* If it's a workstation, go for the faster duo. You'll want snappier response in the program you are actively working with.
* If it's a server, you want the quad. This will give you smoother and fairer performance on all tasks running.

At least that's what I would do.

Or, even better, do what I did. I have a dual CPU motherboard with two dual core CPU's. That machine never becomes jerky or unresponsive, it just slows down a little when it's maxed out.

That's a good rule of thumb... unfortunately, my machine is neither of those 100% of the time. I run a webserver, but it's very limited traffic (sharing photos/videos with family). I run scripts that do mass video/image conversions. I do run GIMP on occasion, burn DVDs/CDs, etc. Normal stuff. But I have noticed that my basic browsing is using a LOT more CPU recently. That could be the new version of Firefox (3.5.1), it seems less stable than before... some pages will even crash X.

I think I'll be happy with the Q-core...compared to my current system, it would be like getting a new Ferrari - one may be slightly faster than the other, but I'm upgrading from a beat-up pickup truck with bald tires and no radio. haha

[mweishaa]

Re: Question: Intel Core 2 Duo or Quad processor?

Turned out the guy with the mobo forgot that he had dropped something on the cpu socket and damaged some of the pins... so I had to place a 2nd order to Newegg for a mobo.

But I'm up and running now on my Q8400 with 4GB ram, on Kubuntu 9.04 64bit. VERY happy thus far. I really like seeing CPU0, CPU1, CPU2, and CPU3 in my Gkrellm.

[dibl]

Re: Question: Intel Core 2 Duo or Quad processor?

Yep, I'm jealous!