Dual core or quad core?

[corup7ion]

I'm looking at purchasing:

Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9600 (2.80GHz)

vs

Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad Processor Q9000 (2.00Ghz)

From what i understand, the dual core will be faster in most cases because nothing untilizes the quad cores yet.

Which will be better for overall performance /gaming?

 

[needmorecarnitine]

From what i understand, the dual core will be faster in most cases because nothing untilizes the quad cores yet.

If you were to compare all the possible ways you could use them, the 2.8GHz dual core would be faster in the vast majority of cases. However, there are applications that do utilize quad cores now.


Since you don't seem to be aware of these programs I assume the dual would be a better choice for you

 

[WabeWalker]

Doesn't this depend on how long you want your system to last?

If you're buying a brand new system right now, and you want it to last, say, 4 years... and you don't want to have to upgrade it all the time... because let's face it, not everyone can build their own PC, or can even maintain it... then aren't you better off buying...

... well, an i7, actually?

The duo core route is sort of a here and now solution, in my opinion - perfect for people who build their own systems, but not really for people who are buying a system that will go the distance.

I'll bet that over the next 2 years we begin to see a lot of cool games that will virtually require a quad to run well.

 

[Dangman]

There's a thread exactly like yours just several lines down:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1378478

 

[joerocket23]

Going into task manager and seeing all four cores at 25% makes me smile

 

[MrGuvernment]

Yes please use the SEARCH option on the forums, you dont think this exact topic has been asked a TRILLION times! (literally)

going into task manager and seeing %80+ being use while i am doinga ton of stuff is sweet, lets see a dual core handle my load (okay, that sounded gross)

 

[-(Xyphox)-]

go quad or go home

 

[Forceman]

Going into task manager and seeing all four cores at 25% makes me smile

More than seeing 2 cores at 50%?

 

[Mega666]

I bought a quad and disabled two of the cores. Define nothing.

 

[cesium666]

since this is obviously a laptop, id go with the dual core. in any game thats quad-core aware, im confident you will get better performance from the dual due to the significantly higher clock speed

 

[mrmylanman]

In laptops heat is also a big factor. I'm not so sure how a quad will work in that.

 

[ilkhan]

I'm looking at purchasing:
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9600 (2.80GHz)
vs
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad Processor Q9000 (2.00Ghz)
From what i understand, the dual core will be faster in most cases because nothing untilizes the quad cores yet.
Which will be better for overall performance /gaming?

The only game I know of thats going to be meaningfully slowed by the CPU (CPU limited) is supcom. And it'll laugh at EITHER of those two options. Until we start seeing 5Ghz quads, the games of supcom I want aren't going to be playable.

When paired with a laptop GPU, neither of those should significantly affect your FPS.