Re: Athlon 64 Dual or Single Core ?

On Sat, 29 Oct 2005 10:30:12 -0400, ruel24 thoughtfully wrote:
[snip]Another example, the OP wants SLI so if he selects nVidia he will
need to buy 2 of the same 6600 or better cards but if he goes ATI he could
buy mixed cards X700 or better. Most of the cutting edge of the same
relative speed isn't significantly faster, ie, dual core vs single core,
PCI-E vs AGP, SLI vs non-SLI. Also I don't think game vendors want to
write for cutting edge hardware. Sure BF2 is demanding, UT runs better
the better the platform but software vendors sell to the masses and are
not exclusive to cutting edge technology.



> Let's look at it this way: Dual core is the future. If it isn't being
> fully utilized right now, it will be. You should never build your system
> based on your needs or technology right now, but rather for the future.
> Your investment will likely take you 4 to 6 years into the future, with
> possibly an OS upgrade, as well as several software upgrades. The future
> market belongs to dual core.
>
>
I think it's personal preference. You could build or buy the latest
cutting edge system but chances are you're going to need to upgrade
something anyway. Like the poor saps who bought into EIDE, or better
will you buy a HD-DVD or BluRay DVD player now?

> Think of it this way: If you built a system when PCI-express was
> introduced, and you built with an AGP based board instead, thinking you
> don't need PCI-express, what happenes now that nVidia and ATi stopped
> making new AGP boards and your system can't keep up with your newest
> had-to-have game? That moment is almost here. You would have built a
> dinosaur from the moment you fired it up for the first time.
>
>
Another example, the OP wants SLI so if he selects nVidia he will need to
buy 2 of the same 6600 or better cards but if he goes ATI he could buy
mixed cards X700 or better. Most of the cutting edge of the same relative
speed isn't significantly faster, ie, dual core vs single core, PCI-E vs
AGP, SLI vs non-SLI.

BTW I have an X800 AGP so at least ATI is making AGP.

> From this point forward, most software that can take advantage of dual
> cores WILL. Pretty soon, your once screaming single core systems will
> look like they're driving into the wind with a parachute open.

I don't think game vendors want to write for cutting edge hardware.
Sure BF2 is demanding, UT runs better the better the platform but software
vendors sell to the masses and are not exclusive to cutting edge
technology.

You are correct though in 4-5 yrs it may well be but it'll cost double now
what it will cost 4-5yrs from now.
.

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