Fastest Single Core?

[dseeley]

I am developing a realtime computer vision application and need to get a fast cpu for executing a single thread. To be clear, multiple cores won't help me here except to split out minor OS processes.

What do you think is the fastest processor out there (single or dual core) for single core execution?

Many thanks,
dseeley

 

[Nirad9er]

the fx 57 is the fastest amd single core at 2.8ghz, which can then be overclocked even more. I dont think intels were better until core 2 duo.

 

[Soparik2]

the Extreme Edition P4 3.73Ghz i think is the fastest intel single core with 1066MHz FSB and 2mb cache
they have a 3.8ghz 2mb 800Mhz fsb as well but i think the EE is still faster

 

[Sunin]

Hmmm, Where does the Pentium Mobile D fit in?

That chip is known for its speed. I mean I broke 20sec pi times on that sucker where the P4EE could only handle 32sec..

Technically isn't a P4 EE a dual core with the HT?

My vote is for the Pentium D's. I have an ASUS with the retro kit to fit the mobile chip on a desktop and the performance difference is noticeable!

Sunin

 

[chrisf6969]

You don't lose any performance by going dual core.

So an FX-57 at 2.6Ghz would be the same speed as an X2 at 2.6Ghz, except the OS would be able to offload all background services with the 2nd core, so the dual core would be faster.

It would be stupid to buy a single core CPU. The ONLY advantage I could think of would be some single cores overclock a little better than dual cores. Like the Pentium 4 60's were capable of reaching 4-5+Ghz easily with good cooling, so those would give good single threaded performance, but a Core 2 at 3Ghz would still be faster.

So the answer to your question of what CPU to get..... would be Core 2 . Its the fastest processor for whatever you plan on doing. The 2nd core will always help b/c the Operationg System is always doing more than one thing at a time. Unless your application is a single threaded DOS application, you WILL use the 2nd core all the time!

And even in single threaded apps, its shared cache can be resized to allow the single thread to use almost all of the 4mb cache for itself which will give it amazing single threaded performance.

Look at other single threaded apps / benchmarks like Super PI. The Core 2 owns EVERYTHING.

And if for some reason you ONLY want one core, you can disable it in the BIOS. Which would be stupid, but you COULD do it.

 

[Dan_D]

the Extreme Edition P4 3.73Ghz i think is the fastest intel single core with 1066MHz FSB and 2mb cache
they have a 3.8ghz 2mb 800Mhz fsb as well but i think the EE is still faster

Not really. I think they are about the same. The edge might go to the 3.73EE, but only because of the minor FSB bump.

Hmmm, Where does the Pentium Mobile D fit in?

That chip is known for its speed. I mean I broke 20sec pi times on that sucker where the P4EE could only handle 32sec..

Technically isn't a P4 EE a dual core with the HT?

My vote is for the Pentium D's. I have an ASUS with the retro kit to fit the mobile chip on a desktop and the performance difference is noticeable!

Sunin

The Pentium 4 and Pentium D go to the bottom of the list for performance. You would need to have a substantial overclock to keep up with the Athlon 64/X2/FX processors, and they can't touch the Core 2 Duo at all. The Pentium M is better than the Pentium 4 and Pentium D, but Core 2 Duo beats those as well. Not to mention you will have to use a dated platform for a desktop Pentium M.