Quad or Dual core?

[Approach_Medium]

Hi;
For TS2010, would I get better performance from a Quad core processor, or a Dual core at a higher CPU speed?

Thanks

FW

 

[RRSignal]

Dual at higher speed.

 

[djt]

Hi;
For TS2010, would I get better performance from a Quad core processor, or a Dual core at a higher CPU speed?

Thanks

FW

As far as Trainz is concerned in its current state the speed and architecture of the CPU is what matters the most.

That being said you also don’t want to invest money into something that’s just going to run Trainz either. More and more simulation games are finally putting quad and even hex CPU’s to use so investing in a dual core CPU doesn’t have much of a future.

Until LGA 2011 is released the best you’re going to do right now whether it’s a dual, quad or hex core CPU (with Trainz or other primarily CPU dependent games) is this processor (i7-2600K) –

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/...el-core-i7-2600k-i5-2500k-core-i3-2100-tested

 

[Approach_Medium]

OK, for other apps, I am doing some pretty intensive work with TransDem V2.1.1. Don't know if that will take advantage of more than 1 core.

In the end, it's going to be performance vs cost. My budget is limited, so whatever I can get now will outperform my current single-core 3.4Ghz, and will last me another few years.

FW

 

[itareus]

....In the end, it's going to be performance vs cost. My budget is limited, .....

At the current time and on a limited budget a fast Dual core will get you better performance with Trainz than a slow Quad core.

The whole system needs to be balanced, or you will just end up with some other part of the system being the bottleneck after upgrading the processor.

 

[Euphod]

I have dual cores in both my desktop and laptop, and I used to have a P4 3.4 in another PC. The difference between the two types of chips is huge. I run 2010 on both systems and am quite pleased with the performance, even with the mobile gpu chipset in the laptop.

 

[johnwhelan]

OK, for other apps, I am doing some pretty intensive work with TransDem V2.1.1. Don't know if that will take advantage of more than 1 core.

In the end, it's going to be performance vs cost. My budget is limited, so whatever I can get now will outperform my current single-core 3.4Ghz, and will last me another few years.

FW

I'd say dual Intel and 4 or 6 gigs of memory with win 7 64 bit for the optimum on the price performance scale. Don't underestimate the effect of putting one of the new raptor drives on either. Once Trainz is loaded there isn't much difference but 5 year warranty and program loading times make a difference.

Cheerio John

 

[fran1]

I'd say dual Intel and 4 or 6 gigs of memory with win 7 64 bit for the optimum on the price performance scale. Don't underestimate the effect of putting one of the new raptor drives on either. Once Trainz is loaded there isn't much difference but 5 year warranty and program loading times make a difference.

Cheerio John

Can't agree more with that post, E8500 3.16g dual core, 6 gig ram, raptor for trainz and Win 7 64 bit.
1 thing to add, defrag your trainz drive every now and again, does wonders for FPS and significantly reduces CPU usage. I'm using 53 and 15%, last night 100% both cores.

 

[djt]

Can't agree more with that post, E8500 3.16g dual core, 6 gig ram, raptor for trainz and Win 7 64 bit.

I’m not sure how wise it would be to sink money into the old Core 2 architecture when the new architecture “Sandy Bridge” is in the same price range and a lot more efficient –

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...00007671 600005560&IsNodeId=1&name=Core 2 Duo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...4 600030234 600005579&IsNodeId=1&name=Core i5

6 gig ram

Unless you find 3GB modules (I haven’t seen any) the chipsets for the Core 2 LGA 775 CPU’s supported a dual channel memory configuration, which means ideally you’d want to have 2x2GB modules (4GB total) or 2x4GB modules (8GB total) not 6GB.

 

[fran1]

I’m not sure how wise it would be to sink money into the old Core 2 architecture when the new architecture “Sandy Bridge” is in the same price range and a lot more efficient –

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...00007671 600005560&IsNodeId=1&name=Core 2 Duo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...4 600030234 600005579&IsNodeId=1&name=Core i5



Unless you find 3GB modules (I haven’t seen any) the chipsets for the Core 2 LGA 775 CPU’s supported a dual channel memory configuration, which means ideally you’d want to have 2x2GB modules (4GB total) or 2x4GB modules (8GB total) not 6GB.

What if you have 4 slots= 2x2+2x1.

 

[djt]

What if you have 4 slots= 2x2+2x1.

Any decent motherboard for LGA 775 will have four slots; I did forget to mention 4x2GB modules also for a total of 8GB again.


The best way to go is with a 4 or 8GB kit with identical modules.

 

[johnwhelan]

I’m not sure how wise it would be to sink money into the old Core 2 architecture when the new architecture “Sandy Bridge” is in the same price range and a lot more efficient –

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...00007671 600005560&IsNodeId=1&name=Core 2 Duo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...4 600030234 600005579&IsNodeId=1&name=Core i5



Unless you find 3GB modules (I haven’t seen any) the chipsets for the Core 2 LGA 775 CPU’s supported a dual channel memory configuration, which means ideally you’d want to have 2x2GB modules (4GB total) or 2x4GB modules (8GB total) not 6GB.

Good heavens I find myself agreeing with you about cpus. Having said that the older ones should be slightly cheaper and have enough power which might be a consideration. Also the motherboards tend to be a bit more stable after the first few months. 4 6 or 8 gigs depends on your pocket and if the motherboard supports dual or triple channel.

Cheerio John

 

[Approach_Medium]

Funny thing technology is;
The longer one waits to buy it, the more he gets for his money, but at the same time, the more he wants, so he continues to wait for the price of what he wants to come down, only to find the cycle repeats every couple of years, so the procrastinator will never buy anything

I can wait, and wait, and then another (better, and more demanding?) version of Trainz will come out, and the more power I will need to have... and on it goes...

I'll be taking a look at what is available for what price, and consider whether to upgrade, or perhaps to spend the money instead to go away for a few days, just to get away from the technology I am complaining needs to be replaced... but once the money is spent on the vacation, it won't be available for the computer...

I have always been one to buy material objects that will last me for a while than to spend the same money on a few days of skiing or some other ridiculously expensive activity...
It used to be very easy... I could afford both the vacation and the new computer... but now, I have to make a decision, and I think in the end I will realize that I stand to gain more pleasure from a faster computer than a few days of skiing.

I appreciate everyone's advice.

FW