My current PC is getting way to slow and time to upgrade. Is it worth spending a little bit more on an Intel quad core, or just stay with a Core 2 Duo? I’ve been reading conflicting things on 2-core vs 4-core. I don’t play games at all, but do alot of photo editing. So I really am just concerned with whatever one will give me the best bang for the buck in terms of photo editing. My budget is around $500-$600, so not looking at spending a ton of money.
Edit: side note, how big of video card? 512mg OK or 1gb pretty much required?
512 is plenty, you’ll want plenty of system memory, at least 2GB, if you go to 4 or more (since you should be running matched pairs of RAM) then you’ll need to run a 64 bit OS to recgonize the extra memory.
Core 2 duo’s were Intel’s first foray into the “quad” core market. Its basically a pair of dual core processors stacked on top of each other. The quad core is an actual quad core processor, four processors designed to work together efficiently, not just bastardized together.
That being said, I don’t know the demands of photo editing, but the quad core should give you more computing power than the core 2 duo, but that may be irrelevant. I thought I read that RAM was the more pressing issue.
If your computer is getting slower, clean it and it will be as fast as it ever was. No sense in buying new if you were satisfied with the speed it had before it slowed down.
Video card plays a large in photo/video editing. If you have enough video RAM you can essentially put the entire project in it, and then let your GPU do all of the work. You won’t get a better performance increase. The system memory and the processor will dictate how long it takes to open the application and push it to VRAM.
If you’re not upgrading your software, make sure it is quad core friendly. Some apps will use all 4 cores, some will only use 1.
Based on your budget, and if your existing MOBO will allow it, get a nice Core 2 Duo, another GB or 2 of RAM, and a GTX 260 Core 16. If you have some left over, get a nice CPU cooler and OC the processor by anywhere from 30-50% and you’ll have a rocking machine.
I should clarify, I just started getting into photography and photo editing. My computer was never able to handle Photoshop and other editing software well. It’s an Athlon 2500XP, 1.5gb RAM and 128mg video card. Thought about just upgrading parts, but everything is IDE so I’d end up needing to start from scratch anyhow.
Did you not read my first post? I said my budget was $500-$600 and I’m not a gamer. Find me an i7 for that price and I’ll get it, however everything I’ve seen so far puts those way over my budget.
from what i’ve read, not all software is designed to take advantage of the quad core technology. so you should research your software’s compatibility before deciding on your processor.
Have you ever built a home PC based entirely on bleeding edge shit? I didn’t think so. I was just waiting for updates and patches. It is currently faster than any home PC you’ve ever owned or operated. :bloated::cjerk:
Wow fag. You added so much to this thread… lol. Recgonize? And I can’t get my thoughts together… haha:cjerk: A 32bit OS can recognize more than 2GB of system memory, so don’t talk if you have no idea what you’re talking about.
Why would he want 2GB of system memory when he can get a decent video card instead? Which would be more beneficial for his applications (strictly based on new software, which he will be purchasing not the old gay shit you probably have).
If you’re starting from scratch, it boils down to what software you’re using and what it works well with. Core2Duos are hard to beat for the price you can get them for. A Core2Quad will usually be faster, for more money, but not all the time. You really need to research the software and what works well with it, and build the PC around that. And don’t listen to Walter, he doesn’t know when to stay out of a thread.
You’re a moron, even if that made sense (which it doesn’t, “buy Video RAM so you don’t get a performance increase” wtf) it isn’t true. With photoshop you are far better off with more system memory. On top of that, system memory is cheaper. Why blow your wad on something that has minimal value to what he is planning on doing.
If you’re not upgrading your software, make sure it is quad core friendly. Some apps will use all 4 cores, some will only use 1…
Again, wtf, “if you’re not upgrading, make sure…”
And you want to try and get on me about having one letter out of place? Maybe if my brain was slow enough to be considered a perfect candidate for a Geico commercial and typed with one finger like you I wouldn’t have to worry about the occasional missed letter. Sadly, with the typo, my post still made sense. Yours not only read like it was written by a down’s child but it also was technically inaccurate.
I mean you seriously recommend spending more money on a video card he’ll see no benefit from and then getting 3GB of RAM :lolno:
For those who STILL say some programs dont take advantage of quad core and use that as rationalization to buy a dual core, stfu. Intel is a couple months away from releasing its 12 threaded i9 processor. You better believe programing is catching up. Quad cores have been out for years and some of them are just as affordable as faster clocked dual cores. Dual won’t be nearly as future proof as a quad core. Quad core all the way.
And with a little extra cash ($100 probably) you can get an excellent i7 rig. They are highly affordable. No need for a crazy fancy video card. You can get a decent one for your needs in the $75 range. Like walter said, buy the extra RAM with your cash.