X2 3800+ coming soon

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: 13Gigatons

Originally posted by: mechBgon
I recall reading that the X2 uses the Hyperthreading-enabled bit so that the second core gets used by XP Home. Someone with CPU-Z and an X2 confirm that for us please? 🙂

It doesn't have hyperthreading but does flag it so "hyperthreaded apps" run faster on dual core machines.

aren't "hyperthreaded" apps just smp/smt apps?

 

[Hacp]

It works on xp home. Just to tell you guys. I had to install a bootlegged copy before my xp pro arrived from the egg, and I got it running, 2x prime 95, etc.

 

[RollWave]

so XP Home is able to use both cores? So if I got a DC right now I could rip a DVD and play a game at the same time?

 

[BigCoolJesus]

So, if i was going to get a Athlon 64 3700+SD and overclock it to 2.6GHz, would it be of any advantage to wait for the 3800 X2 or no??

 

[enwar3]

well if you multitask a lot or run multi-threaded programs itd be worth it to buy a dual core..

also, how long do you guys think itll be til we can actually buy one at msrp?

how dependable is the august 1st release date digitimes cites? - then how long will it take to fall to msrp - 1 week? 2 weeks?

 

[teutonicknight]

Originally posted by: bob4432

Originally posted by: n7
I didn't think there were many programs out there that currently could utilize dual-core tech. I'm curious now.

Which ones are you referring too, bob4432? 🙂

most if not all of the high end adobe programs - photoshop, illustrator, their dvd authoring progs (except maybe golive since it is just a web editor), the higher end video encoders, mainconcept(although not the best), cinemacraft, a lot of the CAD stuff. not the normal word, firefox and games though, more special stuff. but if you can do some editing and encode and cut your time down 1/3-1/2 that is extra $$$ in the bank. actually windows media encoder 9 is smp/smt aware too.

To back that statement up, pretty much every "pro" app is multi core/processor aware. Programs that I have personally used and know are multi-core aware:

Vegas 6 (vid/aud editing)
Combustion
3d Studio Max
Mac programs: Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Motion, Shake, etc

Obviously this is just a small percentage of apps that can use more than one core.

 

[RollWave]

but the processor on its own is able to deal with 2 tasks without software programing? IE play a game with one and do encoding with the other?

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: rnp614
but the processor on its own is able to deal with 2 tasks without software programing? IE play a game with one and do encoding with the other?

that is up to the os to decide, xp will try to load balance the cores. if you have one running at 100% and you do other stuff, it will use the core that is not used at 100%.

but to get true huge advantages in 1 program the program must be able to use both cores, that is where you notice significant gains. basically if i am rendering a video and the program is not smt/smp aware (like f*cking sorenson squeeze 3.5xxx) then the program would only show at max 50% utilization of my p4 w/ HT, the same way it would work if i had a dual processor or a dual core, but in a program like windows media encoder 9, that is smt/smp aware, it shows cpu usage on my p4 w/ HT @ 100%, meaning that both virtual processors are being used, the same if you had a dual processor or dual core, the program would use all of the available processing power to do 1 job thus, in theory, cutting the rendeirng time by ~50% (this is oversimplified but you get the idea).

but in your case you should be able to encode and play a game at the same time (considering you have the gpu to do it).

 

[jlbenedict]

Originally posted by: rnp614

Originally posted by: bob4432

Originally posted by: rnp614
Do Dual Core procs require XP 64?

no, but you may need xp pro, not sure. i think you can use xp home with a p4 w/ ht, but not sure if you can use xp home with a dc since a p4 ht is more of a virtual second processor and also, i wonder if you could use xp pro with 2xdc cpus thus giving 4 processors.

where did you get the idea that you needed to run xp64 to use a dually? nt4 supported dual processors, win2kpro did (and the different flavors of server version supported more) and so does xp pro.

I didnt have the idea, I was just curious. I currently have XP Home and was hoping to make the jump to Dual Core procs when the 3800 comes out but I guess I'm not sure if I can anymore!

I believe somewhere in the fine print the licensing applies to the number of sockets/slots.. so, really, a X2 or Pentium D cpu is still 1 socket/slot.. but, with the ability to run dual core...

Now, that throws a kink in the equation.... what if you were to get one of the new Pentium D, Extreme Edition cpu's? They are dual core, with Hyperthreading on each core.. with in theory, Windows would see 4 cpu's.. 2 real cpu's , 2 "virtual" cpus.. would XP Pro still run it, or would you need an operating system with at least support for 4 cpu's??

 

[NatePo717]

I will only go dual core because I use my PC as my media/entertainment center at school. I watch tv, play games, chat w/ people on trillian, surf the net, watch movies, and listen to music. With dual core I will be able to watch tv and play games at the same time with no hit on performance! Plus I do a lot of CAD work and many functions in the programs that I use are multithreaded.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I'm waiting for a 3800+ too.

The strategy: Plan for a 3700+ in your budget and wait for the 3800+. If prices don't drop fast enough, grab the 3700+ if you can't wait.'

^^ my strat

 

[enwar3]

im waiting for a 3800+ too... now what if august 1 rolls by and its not here? >=O lol

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: DLeRium
I'm waiting for a 3800+ too.

The strategy: Plan for a 3700+ in your budget and wait for the 3800+. If prices don't drop fast enough, grab the 3700+ if you can't wait.'

^^ my strat

I feel like the 3800+ will be exponentially better!

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: enwar3
im waiting for a 3800+ too... now what if august 1 rolls by and its not here? >=O lol

Clock is ticking. I move into school on the 22nd. I don't have time to do OCing and tests when school starts. I got roughly till the 30th to get my rig up and running before classes begin.

Grrrr.. if things aren't turning well I might just jump on te 3700+.

Yes the X2 3800+ will be exponentially better because of dual core abilities. Sure I will sacrifice a few seconds in super pi time to know that its more "futureproof" and better for multitasking.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: DLeRium

Originally posted by: enwar3
im waiting for a 3800+ too... now what if august 1 rolls by and its not here? >=O lol

Clock is ticking. I move into school on the 22nd. I don't have time to do OCing and tests when school starts. I got roughly till the 30th to get my rig up and running before classes begin.

Grrrr.. if things aren't turning well I might just jump on te 3700+.

Yes the X2 3800+ will be exponentially better because of dual core abilities. Sure I will sacrifice a few seconds in super pi time to know that its more "futureproof" and better for multitasking.

why not just get a 3000venice and the 3800 when it comes out and is cheaper? all you would need to do is swap out the cpu? hell, get the latest bios in board that supports x2, then make sure it is stable. then sell the 3000 when you get the 3800...

 

[entropy1982]

Originally posted by: rnp614

Originally posted by: DLeRium
I'm waiting for a 3800+ too.

The strategy: Plan for a 3700+ in your budget and wait for the 3800+. If prices don't drop fast enough, grab the 3700+ if you can't wait.'

^^ my strat

I feel like the 3800+ will be exponentially better!

Well actually... for a processor to be exponentially better it would have to be a LOT faster than the 3800+ 🙂 ... as in it's not even being sold right now =)

 

[RollWave]

haha I know what exponentially means. I just wanted to emphasize how much better it will be to be able to multitask like a madman!

 

[Pabster]

Originally posted by: DLeRium
Yes the X2 3800+ will be exponentially better because of dual core abilities. Sure I will sacrifice a few seconds in super pi time to know that its more "futureproof" and better for multitasking.

...Except that NOTHING is future-proof. AMD has already announced their move to the new M2 socket and DDR2 RAM coming late this year/early next year. Your X2 will not be able to move to that platform.

I think the 3000+ Venice is a steal right now from a P/P standpoint. Would be a good chip to start with and when the cheaper X2 are available, you can upgrade.