How much processor do we need?

[nyker96]

It seems that my oldie but hardworking Sempy 64 @ 2.4 is quite enough for my daily usage of programming, some gaming and browsing. Doesn't seem to be able to out grow it anytime soon. I can't see the need for a 2.8Ghz duel core etc etc. I wonder what type of apps you all run out there and how much CPU you really need for what you doing.

 

[jazzboy]

Well when it comes to things like audio/video encoding processors can still take hours to do large files so anything that speeds this up is an improvement.

A fast cpu is still needed for smooth gameplay like half-life 2 and a lot of driving games.

 

[evenmore1]

Yeah, a lot of people in the world don't even have computers...
Computers have become entertainment tools and some still need the new stuff to keep up
But really, the GPU is more important for games. Even then there's really no need to upgrade very often
As for me, I'll just wait, I'll have more options in the future

 

[greenmaji]

just browsing the web? P3..

 

[Ninjaneer]

Asking this question is like asking a sports car enthusiast how much horsepower or torque they need. There will never be enough.

 

[TuxDave]

Yeah, I'm pretty happy with my processor at the moment but it would be nice if I could multitask a little better (dual core).

I think the next strong demand will be in very small low power processors with performance numbers that will allow us to do office applications, stream divx videos and experience the internet without any compromises (with the exception of maybe screen size). Lower power will give us longer battery life and small form factors which is very important in the mobile enviroment.

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: jazzboy
Well when it comes to things like audio/video encoding processors can still take hours to do large files so anything that speeds this up is an improvement.

A fast cpu is still needed for smooth gameplay like half-life 2 and a lot of driving games.

I agree here.....As long as processing CAD animations takes longer then 2 secs I will be dying to do it in 1 or less!!!!

Video/audio has caught way up from the days of 8-12 hours Divx encodings, but then with the introduction of H.264 and other HiDef this is slowing down again....Need to go faster...

personally think the IO department is what is really lagging and needs to be brought up t the level of cpus, gpus, memory, etc....

 

[Zebo]

not much for office stuff.. my never can shut down must be 100% stable security camera operating/home auto/office/intraweb machine is a stock 2500 mobile athlon with a 6600 GT in it... Before I got the 6600 in there some PDF's were painful with on board video..

 

[nyker96]

I mean I do agree if you doing say video/audio you should get something that's gonna cut a 5hr job down to say 1hr. But for most people I don't know they will be benefiting from a 3-4x increase in processing power at all. Like you do some office work, programming, browsing, CPU don't seem to be a bottleneck at all. I do agree with evenmore1 that if you got the cash for upgrade don't dump it on CPU, buy a more pwoerful GPU. I'm also beginning to be fond of upgrading say peripheral stuff that adds functionality like say a TV tuner or neat computer console for controlling power appliances etc. I think if you want more function per dollar, these will add more value to the system instead of upping CPU.

 

[furballi]

9-12 minutes to transcode a 2-hour movie. If you need better resolution, then split the DVD or use dual layer DVD. A +3000 class CPU should be adequate for most users.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: Duvie


Video/audio has caught way up from the days of 8-12 hours Divx encodings, but then with the introduction of H.264 and other HiDef this is slowing down again....Need to go faster...

GPU shows much better promise in that area.

personally think the IO department is what is really lagging and needs to be brought up to the level of cpus, gpus, memory, etc....

Exactomundo.

 

[gxsaurav]

Quite frankly, it's gaming only. If u don't play games at all, then even a old AthlonXP 2500+ barton P4 2.4 GHz is enough, which was released about 4 or 5 years bak

how much performance difference is there between an athlon 64 3800+ X2 or Pentium D 930 when encoding DivX, just a few seconds, maybe 10 secs, & i m sure people can live with that. the main requirment is to make a balenced system, not an insane system.

 

[OatMan]

I spend more time on my wifes P3 laptop on the couch than I do at my DC Opty @ 2.8 PC. It does 95% of what I need just fine. The only things I need my PC for are work related, I don't have time to game.

But trying to create and rotate enzyme models on the P3 is a bit harsh (not that it can even run the software