Processor question...

J

Jim Bond

New Member
Hey everybody, first post here...

Ok. Right now I'm running with a P4 2.6 ghz w/ hyper threading. It's almost 4 years old now...

I have my eye on an

Intel® Xeon™ 5150 2.66 GHz 1333 MHz FSB w/ 4MB Cache & Dual Core.

In general terms, how much faster would it be? I can't seem to wrap my brain around the fact that the GHz amount is basically the same, but the Xeon is so much more expensive.

I really don't know much about computers. If anyone could fill me in on what im missing here, it would be much appreciated. :cool:
 
cpu manufacturers have now focused on , and realised that clock speeds are not the only factor in the performace of a cpu.

first off, the xeon is dual core, so it already has a huge advantage over the one you have now, also clock speeds have little do do with things. for example PM's running at 2Ghz could often beat your processor now.

the xeon is a powerful processor, i dont suppose you have thought about looking into the conroe line have you? they are the new release from intel
 
why get a xeon there for servers
if i was you for normal computer use, and if you want to play games, i would check out the core2duo's
 
why get a xeon there for servers
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Yeah, Xeons aren't designed for gaming or whatever, in general its just raw computing power for use in servers. I think there are also compatiblity issues with mainstream rigs but i'm not sure. In any case the new Core 2 Duos are definately catching everyones eye, just don't expect to get your hands on one any time soon.
 
Ahh I see. Thanks for the input everyone. I should have mentioned that I am a music producer. I've hit a wall with a certain program I have (East West Symphonic Orchestra), where I can only run 4 or 5 instances of it. When I really need to run 10 or more, with room to spare. I upgraded to 1 gig of ram on my current computer. I'll probably have 4 on my next one.

Really, I'm just doing some preliminary research. I'm planning on spending between 2-3 k on my next computer. I've been looking into buying an Alienware workstation too...

www.myspace.com/jimbondtracks
 
Jim Bond said:
I've been looking into buying an Alienware workstation too...
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DO NOT buy an alienware computer, period.

I can see a Xeon being useful for you, but have you checked out the Opteron's? You can get an Opteron mobo which has up to 4 processor slots on newegg, now that will really help you out with your processing needs.

And 4GB of RAM would be very useful.
 
DO NOT buy an alienware computer, period.
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Could you elaborate on that a bit? It seems to me, I either hear really good things or really bad things about Alienware. I just really like their little computer customizing thing on their site lol.

As far as looking into different lines of processors, I don't know how to build my own computer and I'm scared to lay down that much cash with someone without a warranty. So I'm kinda limited to known sites/stores right now.
 
no to alienware becuase its extremely overpriced, you will pay an excessive amount over the odds. The system could be built for a fraction of the price or indeed purchased pre built elsewhere for less.

Look at alienware a bit like a gucci shirt....yeah on the outside it says gucci and all but at the end of the day its still just a shirt...just a stupidly expensive shirt :)
 
I wouldn't necessarily get hyped up about the dual core unless your apps are multithreaded. Most people that have them don't even realize they are gaining very, very little. Your apps have to be designed to utilize dual or multicore for them to be effective, and certainly a server would be one such application.
 
Jim Bond said:
Could you elaborate on that a bit? It seems to me, I either hear really good things or really bad things about Alienware. I just really like their little computer customizing thing on their site lol.
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The main reason being that they are largely over priced.

If you don't feel comfortable building your own computer, I would recommend a site such as www.ibuypower.com or www.cuberpowerpc.com, since they have much better deals.
 
generally if you're gaming it won't help much.
if you plan on playin quake 4 it could help a bunch.
if you plan on doing a lot of converting and/or editing normally its better.
personally i'd prefer a faster hard drive than a faster processor... that is if i were only doing internet stuff. although if it truly does support hyperthreading, dual core wouldn't be much worth upgrading to in my opinion.
i'd go with a pentium d 805 or 930 just because they're great multithreaded processors for a great price. then my next choice would be a low end core 2 duo. those processor have amazing architecture.
Arm_Pit said:
Alienwaire is jsut overpriced, Generally they are decent quility and good warrenty though. Just overpriced.
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yea, alienware builds a great computer. if you spend as much as you would on a dell, you'll get absolute s**t though.
spend $7000 and you'll get two 20" LCD's and a really good gaming computer. ridiculous money spendage though. lol
Impr3ssiv3 said:
well if your a music producer then you really would want multicore or a server comp
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or just a really good sound card.
 
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