PC hardware: 64 Bit or Dual Core?
64 Bit or Dual Core?
by LouWho - 5/26/06 6:06 AMHi
Hy old notebook has too many broken parts to fix, and the cpu and speed cannot handle what I do. I want to get a new one, (I do have a newer desktop). I am a developer, and I run virtual machines for testing installations, etc., so I need memory and power. I am not into gaming. I want the notebook so that I can move aroung the house and outside, I do not do any traveling and thus am not concerned about long lasting batteries. The lower notebook screen is easier on those of us who use byfocals also since I am looking down through the lower reading area of the glasses. It has been a while since I was up to date on hardware so I need some help.
I know what the difference is between 64 bits and 32 bits...things will run quicker. The question is will a dual core be any better or worse? While Vista, when it gets here will run better on 64 bits, that may yet be a way off, and I am not sure that I want to be the one that will have to keep re-installing while they work out the bugs.
Also, better to walk into Compusa or Best Buy, or buy from Dell, etc?
Thanks
Lou
Today...
by R. Proffitt
- 5/26/06 6:20 AM
In reply to: 64 Bit or Dual Core? by LouWho
Since you don't game or edit video the dual core may be the winner. It also has better power management.
As to names the office and home we just pick up Dell and HP/Compaqs.
Bob
dual-core AND 64bit
by ramarc - 5/26/06 10:53 AM In reply to: 64 Bit or Dual Core? by LouWho64-bit and dual cores are the "way of the future".
All current AMD processors (single and dual core), except the mobile Sempron, support 64-bit OS. Intel Pentium 4s come in 32-bit and 64-bit flavors. Intel Pentium Ds all support 64-bit OS. Pentium-M and Core Solo/Duo don't have 64-bit support... You'll need to wait for the Core 2 which *should* have 64-bit support. (It's not mentioned in any Intel promo literature but the trade rags say it will have it and it would be step backwards not to suport it.)
Thus, if you want to get a future-proof notebook, get a dual-core with 64-bit support. That translates to an AMD Turion x2 or Athlon x2 based notebook now, or a Intel Core 2 Duo in late July.
If you're getting a notebook because you think the screen will be easier to read, then definitely demo the notebooks in person. Some notebooks come with a high-contrast display that acts like a mirror. Likewise, some come with high-res displays that cause the text to be very small and harder to read.
Lastly, don't presume that 64-bit software is faster. It provides greater memory access but not necessarily better performance.
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1860214,00.asp
Keep in mind that 32-bit software run on a 64-bit OS may run slower than it would on a 32-bit OS.
Dell Says...
by LouWho - 6/1/06 5:03 AM In reply to: dual-core AND 64bit by ramarcI was talking to a Dell sales rep yesterday. I was told that their Core duo T2300(1.66GHZ) was a 64 bit system in that two chips of 32 = 64. Is this true, is this the Core 2 Duo due in July that you are talking about? Or, are you talking about waiting for a Dual core systems that will have 64 bits on each chip?
32+32 is not 64
by markske100 - 6/2/06 2:44 AM In reply to: Dell Says... by LouWhohow many cores you have has nothing to do with wether your processor is 32 or 64 bit, the 64 bit enable each individual processor to adress mor memory and to make more complex calculations in some conditions.
there are 8-way motherboards with 8 processors, but you still can't add the bits each processor has, so an 8-way system (with 8 processos in it) is still 32 bit , and not 256 bit
read the fine print
by romani008 - 6/2/06 10:55 PM In reply to: Dell Says... by LouWhoI don't know about Dell's Core duo T2300, Etc. But you better read the fine print before buying anything from Dell.
typical stupid corporate american phone support.
by gedsy1 - 1/11/07 7:58 AM In reply to: Dell Says... by LouWhoLOL, two 32 bit processors = a 64 bit processor??? dell moron.
yup defnately sounds like something a dell phone support/sales would say, the ford/walmart of computer seller (sell cheap, sell in large quantities).
americans love hp, dell and gateway because they are cheap, not because they are good.
large speed gains are achieved for those who utilize 64 bit/multithreaded applications. scientific/engineering apps, multimedia apps, server apps and some games.
a 32 bit single threaded app will see modest gains on the new dual/64 bit processors.
but the choice is simple... if your getting a new computer buy dual core 64 bit, running a 64 bit operating system, because its backward compatible with 32 bit apps and its ready for future dual 64 bit apps. just make sure your hardware has a 64 bit driver. the push to make 64 bit drivers for new devices is very strong.
64 Bit
by cellularcoffee - 5/28/06 7:38 PM In reply to: 64 Bit or Dual Core? by LouWhoIf I had to pick one or the other, I'd personally go with the 64 bit because Vista is coming out pretty soon.
64 VS Dual Core
by msavoy - 6/2/06 3:16 AM In reply to: 64 Bit by cellularcoffeeYou can have both a 64bit processor and a Dual Core. AMD X2 line of processors are both 64bit and Dual Core. The only reason you would need a dual core, is if you wanted to run a couple of processor intensive processes or programs at once. If you only need to run one intensive program at a time a single 64bit processor should do the trick for you. You don't have to worry about waiting for Vista either. The AMD 64bit line runs outstanding in Windows XP, so you can wait for some of the bugs to get worked out of Vista. I hope this helps you. If you have any other questions just ask!
RE: my last message
by msavoy - 6/2/06 3:18 AM In reply to: 64 VS Dual Core by msavoySorry got a little carried away and forgot to answer your question at the end on where to buy. I would suggest finding someone local to build the pc. I personally would not buy one off the shelf, but then again I build my own units so that is a choice you will have to make. I would definitely suggest getting the warranty for sure if you are buying off the shelf though. Good Luck!
Turion X2, like HP's dv2000z
by Technojunkie3 - 6/2/06 7:09 AM In reply to: 64 Bit or Dual Core? by LouWhoCheck out the Pavilion dv2000z series on hp.com. Turion X2 64-bit dualcore CPU, nVidia GeForce 6150 shared memory GPU, 14" widescreen, fairly light. Get the 12 cell battery option if you're on battery a lot and get Bluetooth if only because it's cheap and you won't be able to add it later (Bluetooth USB dongles are less convenient). There will be more Turion X2 notebooks coming out within the month but that's what you can buy now. Buying direct from hp.com gives you the most configuration options. The retail configurations that will be out late this month can be cheaper. I've done both. Either works.
If you're going to run virtual machines you'll definitely want dualcore, and since you're a developer you'll want 64-bit capability for Vista Beta 2 and maybe Linux. You'll definitely want 2GB of RAM.
64 Bit or Dual Core?
by pcrx_greg - 6/2/06 10:02 AM In reply to: 64 Bit or Dual Core? by LouWhoDual Core vs 64-bit, the problem with 64-bit is that you have to have a 64-bit operating system to take advantage of the 64-bit features. The problem with the 64-bit OS is that a lot of programs have a hard time running in 64 bit mode, and revert to 32-bit, or don't run at all. Drivers are still hard to find for 64-bit and anti-virus programs have to be designed to run on 64-bit. Dual core is very fast, and runs cooler than single core CPU's. If you are looking to the future, buy the AMD with the dual core and 64-bit, but have a 32-bit OS installed and wait until the bugs are worked out with 64-bit drivers, etc. Intel has announced to the channel (system builders) that dual core 64-bit mobile processors will be available late summer if you prefer Intel chips.
Dual core? Dual DB's A noisy detour on the subject.
by bozonian - 6/3/06 3:11 PM In reply to: 64 Bit or Dual Core? by pcrx_gregI have not witnessed the newest generation of dual core machines but one thing I did not discover until after the fact was previous Dual core machines were extremely noisy. The heat that was generated could only be cooled with what sounded like jet turbines. It definitely benchmarked high on the performance curve but you heard every bit of it.
Noise.... Hrrmm
by msavoy - 6/7/06 4:02 AM In reply to: Dual core? Dual DB's A noisy detour on the subject. by bozonianHaven't you ever heard of liquid cooling? Especially since it is reasonably priced now. Fans are becoming a thing of the past.
kinks
by papa54 - 10/24/08 11:05 PM In reply to: 64 Bit or Dual Core? by pcrx_gregok this is oct
2008 and as of this msg vista has workd out the kinks in its 64 bit system. dual core and 4gb ram this thing will fly when hooked to my broadband..
its an AMD HP2945SE VISTA "HOME PREMIUM" NOTEBOOK .OF THE 2700 family and it runs 32 bit programs as well and easily as it does 64 bit,,no noticable differences except the speed and user friendly system...
vista has made some great improvements over that junk vista they tried to sell as the best.. the old vista sucked big time.
NOW I AM READY IF THE PROGRAM DEVELOPERS WILL CREATE ANY 64 BIT PROGRAMS WORTH HAVING.
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