Core 2 Duo v. Quad Core

[new2this09]

Given the facts on the new iMac's are true... Duo's are the new setup.

So if I'm gaming with COD4 on a new 24" iMac (3.06GHz, maxed 8GB, and what I assume will be a 512mb video card), what is the difference between Core 2 Duo and the Quad Cores?

Is one 'better' than the other?

Thanks.

 

[dukebound85]

hmm? i have a core2quad

 

[Eidorian]

Core 2 Duo x 2 = Core 2 Quad

I beat my friend by a few seconds vs. an E6600 with my Q6600 in games. Not that it matters.

 

[Davy.Shalom]

Given the facts on the new iMac's are true... Duo's are the new setup.

So if I'm gaming with COD4 on a new 24" iMac (3.06GHz, maxed 8GB, and what I assume will be a 512mb video card), what is the difference between Core 2 Duo and the Quad Cores?

Is one 'better' than the other?

Thanks.

The Quad, running at a lower clock speed (say...2.8 GHz) will only beat the DUO if the code is written for SMP. If not, then the DUO will beat the quad because both will only use one core, and the duo has a higher clock speed.

The quads have more cache though, so it may be pretty close. The average user does not need a quad, Duo is just fine. In fact, single is fine for most people.

For gaming, a Duo is good because one core can run the AI and the other can render. Most games are written for SMP.

Its really up to you, but I would just go with the Duo.

 

[Eidorian]

The Quad, running at a lower clock speed (say...2.8 GHz) will only beat the DUO if the code is written for SMP. If not, then the DUO will beat the quad because both will only use one core, and the duo has a higher clock speed.

The quads have more cache though, so it may be pretty close. The average user does not need a quad, Duo is just fine. In fact, single is fine for most people.

For gaming, a Duo is good because one core can run the AI and the other can render. Most games are written for SMP.

Its really up to you, but I would just go with the Duo.

Tell that to someone that can get a $499 quad core from Dell.

 

[Davy.Shalom]

Tell that to someone that can get a $499 quad core from Dell.

Haha, you got me. I'm talking mac tho

 

[Eidorian]

Haha, you got me. I'm talking mac tho

Apple is kind enough not to offer Celeron and Pentium Dual-Core.

 

[new2this09]

Thanks.

So new 24" iMac it is tomorrow... I hope.

Thanks everyone.