• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Single Thread Versus Multi-thread Performance

ddpaulb said:
Which is better, single thread or multi-thread performance?

I have no preference to either AMD or Intel.
Click to expand...


It depends on what you're planning on doing with the system. Most people seem to agree that a lower number of high IPC cores trumps a higher number of low IPC cores. But it's really not that simple, it depends on what the system will be used for.
 
SlowSpyder said:
It depends on what you're planning on doing with the system. Most people seem to agree that a lower number of high IPC cores trumps a higher number of low IPC cores. But it's really not that simple, it depends on what the system will be used for.
Click to expand...

What is IPC?

Usage: audio production and gaming.
 
IPC = instructions per clock. Think of it like this, CPU A does x amount of work each clock cycle, CPU B does 1.3x per clock cycle. If both run at say, the same 3.5GHz speed, CPU B gets more work done. But if CPU A has six cores and CPU B has two cores, depending on the software used things could change. What software are you using for audio production?

What's your budget? Are you building your own system, getting a laptop, buying a pre-built desktop? What kind of budget are you working with?
 
SlowSpyder said:
IPC = instructions per clock. Think of it like this, CPU A does x amount of work each clock cycle, CPU B does 1.3x per clock cycle. If both run at say, the same 3.5GHz speed, CPU B gets more work done. But if CPU A has six cores and CPU B has two cores, depending on the software used things could change. What software are you using for audio production?

What's your budget? Are you building your own system, getting a laptop, buying a pre-built desktop? What kind of budget are you working with?
Click to expand...

$250 for cpu and ATX mobo. Building my own.
 
ddpaulb said:
Which is better, single thread or multi-thread performance?
Click to expand...
Single thread (Intel = fewer but much faster cores) = more predictable consistent high performance across a wide range of apps & games. Multi-thread (AMD = more but much slower cores) = theoretically better for a very few number of apps that are perfectly threaded (eg, video editing) but pot luck for gaming. Games are often inconsistent from one to another with multi-threading, eg, in one game an 8-core FX-8350 could match a 4-core i5, whilst 5 minutes later get simultaneously thrashed by an 2-core i3 in a different game.

Intel's also draw 50-100w less power under load, which may be a highly significant factor if you're building a silent rig (for audio work). Given your mixed needs, if you can afford it get an i5 as fps are consistently high over a spread of thousands of games and not just 6 recent ones. For audio work, you might also consider other factors like more RAM (eg, 16GB vs 8GB when opening multiple large files) and / or using an SSD as a "scratch disk". It depends on how heavy your audio needs are though.
 
BSim500 said:
Single thread (Intel = fewer but much faster cores) = more predictable consistent high performance across a wide range of apps & games. Multi-thread (AMD = more but much slower cores) = theoretically better for a very few number of apps that are perfectly threaded (eg, video editing) but pot luck for gaming. Games are often inconsistent from one to another with multi-threading, eg, in one game an 8-core FX-8350 could match a 4-core i5, whilst 5 minutes later get simultaneously thrashed by an 2-core i3 in a different game.

Intel's also draw 50-100w less power under load, which may be a highly significant factor if you're building a silent rig (for audio work). Given your mixed needs, if you can afford it get an i5 as fps are consistently high over a spread of thousands of games and not just 6 recent ones. For audio work, you might also consider other factors like more RAM (eg, 16GB vs 8GB when opening multiple large files) and / or using an SSD as a "scratch disk". It depends on how heavy your audio needs are though.
Click to expand...

I have an older i5-2400. Would an SSD and 16GB ram be more beneficial than a new CPU?
 
While i5-2400 is "older" then you're not going to get a faster CPU+mboard for $250.

I would definitely buy a SSD before upgrading your CPU + mboard. Try looking at your task manager, when your system feels slow.

A rough estimate:
If you memory use is close to max, then more memory will help. If CPU is loaded 100% a faster CPU will help, if you see lots of disk activity a SSD + memory will help.
 
An i5-2400 is still a fantastic CPU. CPUs have barely improved in the last 3 years.

What graphics card do you have? A GPU upgrade would probably make more difference to gaming (though not audio work).
 
ddpaulb said:
Usage: audio production and gaming.
Click to expand...

Gaming = new GPU, an i5 2400 has enough performance for any single one now, audio production depends on the program. But for 250$ I'm not sure what CPU+mobo you can look for, a sidegrade at most?
 
NTMBK said:
An i5-2400 is still a fantastic CPU. CPUs have barely improved in the last 3 years.

What graphics card do you have? A GPU upgrade would probably make more difference to gaming (though not audio work).
Click to expand...

Graphics Card: XFX Radeon HD6850 Double Density
 
SAAA said:
Gaming = new GPU, an i5 2400 has enough performance for any single one now, audio production depends on the program. But for 250$ I'm not sure what CPU+mobo you can look for, a sidegrade at most?
Click to expand...

Sidegrade. That's a good word for it. Makes sense. No sidegrade for me then.
 
NTMBK said:
Plenty of room for upgrade there! You could get something like a 7970, and see significant gaming improvement.
Click to expand...

There have been a lot of advancements in graphics cards the last three years? As far as games I like Total War Empire, Civilization, and Railworks which never works very well for me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top