here's another PC one for the clever buffs.
Turbo Mini Forums

Is a (figs just pick out of the air for an example)

Dual core 2.6GHz Processor better or, not as good as say a quad Core 2 GHz Processor?

i would guess if you add them together the quad is better but i don't know if that's how they work? Sorry for the questions, I'm still looking at my options.

Best 1/4 mile 13.2 seconds @116 mph
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on a carb?
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on Injection?

http://www.mattwoodsphotography.com

If you can afford the quad go for that.

Also depends which version of the quad you go for. Some are more power efficient than others, ie use less power and produce less heat.
Also means there is more overclocking potential.
I currently have my Core 2 Duo 3Ghz overclocked to 4ghz and it runs everything I want extremely well.
Saying that, I want to build a new computer soon with a nice i7 and lots of RAM

http://www.jolyonway.com

i've just built a new one with a 2.6ghz quad core and i can't fault it matt, came in at under £200 for the board, cpu and 2x1gb ram.

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

as always guys super advice. just if there wasn't so much out there it would be so easy to choose. If you get time brett that might be of help thanks.

Best 1/4 mile 13.2 seconds @116 mph
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on a carb?
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on Injection?

http://www.mattwoodsphotography.com

Also, dont forget your graphics card,
If you run say a card with 1GB of memory, then that gets taken out of the total amount of RAM available, even before processes are being run!
I have 8GB, so with my 1gig card I am running 7GB essentially...

http://www.jolyonway.com

dont gpu's have there own onboard memory? its only things like the macbooks or eqiv that there "intergrated" gpus share physical ram

Unless it's an on board graphics card they don't use system RAM

This is correct its onboard memory.
The problem is that a 32 bit OS can only address 4GB in TOTAL.
It shouldnt really be an issue, unless you are running 2GB of system ram and 1GB cards in SLi or Crossfire.

http://www.jolyonway.com

I always use a seperate graphics card. Better choice and cost effective to upgrade. If it packs up you don't have to buy another motherboard.

Personally, if I were in your position. I would get the fastest dual core you can afford.
The reason for this is, to make the most of quad cores etc, special code has to be written to make enable the use of multithreading, and most software just doesnt come with this code.
Unless you will be running 3d modelling software or doing a lot of video and audio compression etc, it just isn't worth it IMHO.
As of Adobe CS3, they have only enabled multithreading for what they deem the most demanding tasks... they seem to be avoiding running it throughout at the moment.
As of CS4 they are using the GPU power more so having a more powerful card will actually serve you better.
I run photoshop very happily on this:
Windows 7 Pro 64 bit OS, 3Ghz Core 2 clocked to 4Ghz, 8GB RAM and a 1GB graphics card.
I thought about getting a 2.6 quad core of the same age as my current processor, but I just dont have the need for it quite yet.

http://www.jolyonway.com

Yeah IMO I would go for dual core. I got the E8500, awesome chip. Just make sure you get plenty of RAM and 64 bit windows for doing photos and videos. The more the better.

Edited by colas on 6th Feb, 2010.

cheers chaps. As with most things pc it gets deeper and deeper, Noted, no need for a quad core :)

Best 1/4 mile 13.2 seconds @116 mph
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on a carb?
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on Injection?

http://www.mattwoodsphotography.com

:)
Definately get the 64bit OS.
Photoshop is now 64 bit happy as well.
I did some reading up on it, and its just seems to be that some of the filters can specifically make the most of the a quad core.. ie gaussian blur and noise. I still think dual core is more than adequate but really depends on money being thrown at it, as with all things

http://www.jolyonway.com