Multi core processors and GPU questions.

[mantadog]

I have been looking at getting a new pc for a few weeks, checking out various options and i have a few questions i hope somebody knows the answer to.

I currently have a dual core processor in my pc but dont quit understand multicore processors. I understand that it allows you to multi task, but need some clarifcation on how it does it.

For example, say i have a dual core processor running at 3.0GHz

Is it 1 processor running at 3GHz but able to handle 2 different things because it has 2 processing locations, or is it 2 3Ghz processors bolted together.

Likewise with a quadcore

I presume for everyday computing, and a little bit of video editing, a dual core would be sufficient as my dual core i have now, which is like some sort of slug compaired to the specs of todays handled alright untill the past few months.

Lastly a quick question on GPU's im looking at specing the GT430 or GTx460 in any new build.

The GT430 will easily play any of the games i have for my current pc so it would be like a replacment.

I dont play any new games because i can't on this pc so specing the 460 would this allow me to play games into the future, even if only on reduced settings.

Budget for my new computer is £600, I have it specced to well below that at the moment so have room to upgrade the processor and/or the GPU and still be within budget but obviosuly i dont want to throw money away.

Sorry that was much longer than i intended.

 

[Gishank]

Essentially, multi-core processors are in laymans terms like 2 or more processors (at whatever clock speed) on the same chip, if you have a processor with more cores at a higher clockspeed and sufficient RAM you will be able to multitask more efficiently though a single core and say 2GB of RAM will still be able to multi-task. Additionally, as technologies advance a modern dual-core verses an older version dual core, even at the same clock speeds - will not perform the same. If you intend to use your old processor in your new system you *MUST* make sure the motherboard supports the socket the processor is designed for, which is unlikely if you have an Intel chip.

As for GPU's;
You must note that the GT430 is a lower-end chip, remember the chip 'series' (4xx) is irrelevant to the performence and as such isn't really meant for gaming - it may be able to run games that are 2 or so years old on their highest settings, but anything more modern and it will most likely struggle on the highest settings. I would advise getting the GTX460 for future-proofing and because it's an all-around better card.

 

[Sleinous]

Or if your budget cant quite stretch that mark, the GTS 450 is a nice alternative.

Following on from what Gishank said about series and numbers on Nvidia GPUs, the old 7XXX 8XXX 9XXX etc series of cards worked like this: X100 to X400 were all home desktop designed chips, with X100 being the worst performer and X400 the best, even capable fo just about pulling through a few heavy games on low settings (with some tweaking I got GTA IV to play on an 8400M GT which is no mean feat :S) X500 to X900, gaming GPUs with X900 being the best. Wait was there a 9900? Or did it stop at 9800? Im confusing myself now lol, anyway.....

Personally with a £600 budget i'd be going for something like this:

Case
STYLISH PIANO BLACK ENIGMA MICRO-ATX CASE + 2 FRONT USB
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™2 Duo E8500 (3.16GHz) 1333MHz FSB/6MB L2 Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® P5G41T-M LX2 S: MICRO ATX VALUE BOARD & DDR3, SATA-II, 2 x PCI
Memory (RAM)
4GB SAMSUNG DDR3 DUAL-DDR3 1333MHz (2 X 2GB)
Graphics Card
768MB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX460 GDDR5 PCI EXPRESS - DirectX® 11
Free Item
FREE H.A.W.X.2 Game (RRP: £39.99) with a qualifying GTS450/ GTX460 GPU!
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
640GB WD CAVIAR GREEN WD6400AARS, SATA 3 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Memory Card Reader
INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (XD, MS, CF, SD, etc) + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT
Power Supply & Case Cooling
450W Quiet 80 PLUS Dual Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan (£29)
Processor Cooling
INTEL SOCKET LGA775 STANDARD CPU COOLER
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities
ONBOARD 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
USB Options
4 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL (MIN 2 FRONT PORTS) AS STANDARD
Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
FREE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 (Limited functionality Word & Excel)
Anti-Virus
BULLGUARD INTERNET SECURITY - FREE 90 DAY TRIAL
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 9 to 13 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £610.00 including VAT and delivery.

You could upgrade to the 1GB GTX 460 for an extra £45.

 

[alastair]

If you could afford to add the 1gb gtx 460 to sleinous's spec it it would make a big difference in games, looking at the benchmarks that about on many different sites.

 

[mantadog]

Thanks for the replies.

Interesting spec Sleinous, i had been going down the AMD route until now, i have never used an intel processor in a desktop all my previous computers have been AMD just by luck i geuss.

As for the GPU i geuss i just have to work out if i want to play new games or not... I could always just spec up the computer and add it in later if the mood takes me for some pc gaming.

Back with the processor. For everyday use or some mid level gaming i understand that AMD offers better value, is this correct?

 

[Sleinous]

Not so much new, any really, otherwise go for the GTX 450, GT 430 wont get you far at all

You could go for the AMD Phenom X2 or Athlon X4 I s'pose

 

[Phoenix]

Hmm while the intel build posted above isn't bad it would be better to go with the preconfigured £600.00 gaming system with a couple of changes:
http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/view/vortex-600-gaming-pc/
Change the HDD to a caviar green and get the silver warranty, total price: £603.00
This way, you'll get a better processor, better case and a better motherboard. On top of all that, it's £7.00 cheaper!
Alternatively, you could build the AMD build on a micro atx motherboard to save a bit more money if you really want the GTX460(768mb). (from this section:http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/computers/amd-home-office-pc/)

 

[Sleinous]

Worse GPU of course but not bad I guess.