Pentium D vs Pentium IV

[Digger]

I have a choice between a P4 3.0 Ghz or a P D 2.80. What are the pros and cons of each? Thanks.

[McDaddy]

go with the 2.8. it is a dual core. and will be faster.

[firestorm]

I say go with the 3.0 single core. Right now not much software can use both cores. So technically even with your dual core, you will only be using 1. Y not get a faster one core instead. In about a year or so, I suspect this will change. The software out there today will not take advantage of dual core and a single core at a higher clock rate WILL run circles around dual core. This is not the case for servers though.

-fire

[OulZac]

Originally Posted by firestorm

I say go with the 3.0 single core. Right now not much software can use both cores. So technically even with your dual core, you will only be using 1. Y not get a faster one core instead. In about a year or so, I suspect this will change. The software out there today will not take advantage of dual core and a single core at a higher clock rate WILL run circles around dual core. This is not the case for servers though.

-fire

Mostly true yes, but why buy the single core now, and only have to upgrade later?

[firestorm]

The question is how much later down the road will dual's be more efficient(software compatible). A single right now is proven to outpreform the dual cores. Not saying that they are a bad choice though. If you are going to stay on top of the comp world, your not going to wait years to upgrade again. When dual's become more efficient, it will be time to upgrade again. A 3.6ghz intel or a good AMD will do the trick for anything right now. This is just my opinion btw, so take it how you want. I am buying a comp in the next week or so and it will have an intel 3.6 single core in it. So I'm not preachin and not acting, I've looked into this alot.

[OulZac]

Sorry if I came accros as being a punk in my reply it was late for me
I understand what you saying, and its a good point. I just think the way things are looking now, about this time next year, dual cores will be in the right place, as vista will be out and more 64 bit x2 applications will out by then aswell, but I may be wrong, the industry has a way out delaying things to make more money

[firestorm]

I came across a lil' wrong too Oulzac. Sry, no hard feelin's. Don't know why I wrote it that way. .

Yea, dual-cores will have their spot in the future. For common users the dual core will work great. If you are doing a ton of work, a single core right now can outpreform. Vista is a resource hog and when it's full release comes out(are they still in beta 2?) more dual core apps will be available. But you know microsoft, they always delay .

[Digger]

Thanks for the answers. I kep asking the same question. Buy a duel now or wait till next year. I'll probably go with the duel so I dont have to mess with it for a while.

[McDaddy]

i would run the dual just so i dont have to upgrade in a year or so. just me though.