Dual Core question

[Toddo97]

I'm looking to build a new pc next year somewhere around jan-march (tax return). Is there any point waiting for the dual core processors to come out next year or should I just go ahead and bite the bullet? This pc will have to last for about 3 yrs or so. Will the new processors be crazy expensive at first or will there be an affordable line--I'm looking to spend less than $250. Thanx

 

[Gnoad]

I think it's safe to say dualcore cpus, although the future, will offer minimal advantages initially and not have software written to take full advantage of them for quite some time. I'd say you won't be missing much for at least 2 or 3 years until things are a bit more optimized for dual core use.

 

[Dethfrumbelo]

I agree. Dual cores will initially present only a marginal increase in performance. If you've already got an adequate rig that will perform decently for at least another year, then waiting may make sense.

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: Gnoad
I think it's safe to say dualcore cpus, although the future, will offer minimal advantages initially and not have software written to take full advantage of them for quite some time. I'd say you won't be missing much for at least 2 or 3 years until things are a bit more optimized for dual core use.

exactly!!! Dont' expect them come ou of the gate and lay waste to the best chip offered by what ever respective company brings dual core to market first. they will be spendy initially with spendy mobos and chipsets. Like mentioned above most things are not SMP ready now (especially gaming) so like any new technology there will be a break-in period where a person who buys and hunkers down should not particpate IMO....

I would get a a socket 939 chip now since they seem to have the best longevity path I can tell from my research. 3 years is about 2 long for anything. technology is moving rapidly but that being said a 64bit cpu will be better suited for the long-term...

EDIT: I am an Intel p4 user and a fan...however Intel's ineptness the last 6 months or so has left me no choice but play elsewhere. If I had any confidence at this point they know what the hell they are doing I would stay INtel. However my board is long in the tooth and really have ran out of processor upgrades short of getting a higher spped northwood , anyways...SOOOO Might as well see how green the grass is elswhere in my wait for dual core cpus.

 

[Toddo97]

I agree. Dual cores will initially present only a marginal increase in performance. If you've already got an adequate rig that will perform decently for at least another year, then waiting may make sense.

I've only got a 1.4 Ghz celeron (upgraded on an old p3 450 dell) w/ 384 mb of super speedy pc100 ram so I think a few more months is about all I've got. I'll probably go ahead and just get what's available now. I'll probably need to get a new mobo if I ever decide to upgrade the processor to a dual core, though, won't I?

 

[Dethfrumbelo]

Not necessarily. There have been some claims made that current NF3 and coming NF4 boards may be able to support dual core CPUs down the road with only a bios flash. No hard proof until they actually come out though.

 

[SrGuapo]

I have also heard rumors that the AMD dual core chips will use s939, but I have no idea about the reliability of this claim... I would definately buy your PC now, and upgrade it as needed. When dualies are first released, they are going to be more expensive than most people are willing to pay for little speed advantage.