To Wait for Dual Core Athlon64 or not to wait?

[mcjimbo]

Hi guys,

My god technology is changing so rapidly, I can't keep up!

I was pretty much settled on a nice system config until I head the news that Dual core Athlon 64's will be available middle of the year. I was willing to dump about $300-$500 into a cpu and buy a whole new PC:

Rough Specs:

Athlon 64 3500+ or Athlon 64 3800+
DFI LanParty Nforce4 mobo
1 gig Mushkin RAM
PCI Express 6800 GT
74g 10,0000 rpm HD

Then I read an article on these new dual core cpu's.... they sound awesome!

Do any of you have any idea's of what they will cost initially when launched? Also what is is say the performance gain over traditional single core cpu's? Say Athlon 3500+ single core vs Athlon 3500+ dual core?

I'm thinking of still buying my rig, but maybe buying the cheapest 939 Athlon64 around... 3000? Then replacing the cpu when dual cores are released. Will this be possible with an nforce 4 board?

Thanks in advance... apologise for so many questions but its a big investment.

James

 

[Pr0d1gy]

What alot of people are suggesting, and I agree, is to get a 3000+ AMD for the low price & then sell it when dual core is coming out. It's a good plan & a cheap way to tide you over.

 

[Gamer X]

If you do not intend to do heavy multitasking,you will not really need dual cores.In fact
single cores will be faster than dual cores in games.

 

[aatf510]

I doubt that mutil-core will provide any real advantage until 2-3 years later when software are finally optimized.
If they really come out with a dual-core FX57. Then I guess I would have the fastest gaming CPU for 2 years.

 

[Amplifier]

Don't stress over the dual core. Get a good 939 motherboard and you'll be in good shape for a while. Why not get a 3000+ and save the money to buy the dual core when it comes out?

The most popular build right now seems to be 939motherboard/3000+ winnie/6600gt. People (like me) seem to be margining for the dual cores/512 graphics cards.

 

[bupkus]

My head just exploded.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Originally posted by: toattett
I doubt that mutil-core will provide any real advantage until 2-3 years later when software are finally optimized.
If they really come out with a dual-core FX57. Then I guess I would have the fastest gaming CPU for 2 years.

Try a few months to a year, there's a reason we're going to dual/multiple cores, its because the single ones can't get much faster. Microsoft is just about done with XPx64 for the 64bit Athlons (and now P4s), next logical step is multicore support, of which XP Pro has supported 2 CPUs from day 1. We'll just be seeing the next Windows Pro support 4 or more CPUs while the "Home" version will be brought up to snuff supporting 2 because XP Home does not. Infact, XPx64 is a Professional version, I'm not even sure if they'll be releasing a Home version. Looks like M$ will be ready for 64bit and dual core by the time they're available.

Oh and with all 3 upcoming gaming consoles packing more than 1 CPU, I can guarantee you that games will be taking advantage of more than one CPU, 2 years is a very generous claim to single core superiority in games or in general.

 

[Bar81]

Dual core is going to be pointless unless you have some use or app that makes use of two CPUs. Buy your system and be happy.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Its pretty easy to make use of two CPUs, however technology is always moving forwards. If you wait you'll feel sorry for not having the performance for the time you could have had it, and if you don't wait you'll feel sorry for the performance you could have had if you did. Waiting usually isn't very plesant, so adding that on top usually makes NOT waiting the better choice.

Upgrade now, you will not be dissapointed.

 

[Accipiter22]

Didn't amd already say dual-core won't come out till toledo? (they have a map on their website of what's coming out and what it'll have)....and toledo's still a way off

 

[Accipiter22]

Originally posted by: mcjimbo
Hi guys,

My god technology is changing so rapidly, I can't keep up!

I was pretty much settled on a nice system config until I head the news that Dual core Athlon 64's will be available middle of the year. I was willing to dump about $300-$500 into a cpu and buy a whole new PC:

Rough Specs:

Athlon 64 3500+ or Athlon 64 3800+
DFI LanParty Nforce4 mobo
1 gig Mushkin RAM
PCI Express 6800 GT
74g 10,0000 rpm HD

Then I read an article on these new dual core cpu's.... they sound awesome!

Do any of you have any idea's of what they will cost initially when launched? Also what is is say the performance gain over traditional single core cpu's? Say Athlon 3500+ single core vs Athlon 3500+ dual core?

I'm thinking of still buying my rig, but maybe buying the cheapest 939 Athlon64 around... 3000? Then replacing the cpu when dual cores are released. Will this be possible with an nforce 4 board?

Thanks in advance... apologise for so many questions but its a big investment.

James

i.e. there won't be an athlon 3500+ dula core, or 3800+ dual core, or anything like that