Pentium D?

Re: Pentium D?

Neither. It means a 3.4GHz processor capable of simultaneously devoting full 3.4GHz processing power to 2 separate task streams.


Yes.


Intel: Pentium D Processors

Re: Pentium D?


Thanks a lot for the response, but I'm sort of confused, if it can devote 3.4 to two separate operations, that's way cooler than I thought, but that would say: That it could function almost like it was a 6.4GHz because it could be working on one operation with both processors? I run adobe after effect (film editing software) and rendering special effects can literally take days. I just think it would be silly doing all that hard work with all that processor and have only one being on because I only have one program running.

That's just the way it works; you'd have 3.4GHz of processing power available for each of 2 separate task streams. For instance, you could theoretically run a virus scan while at the same time browsing, downloading, and listening to music, your virus scan and your entertainment both being processed at 3.4GHz.

There is, however, a genuine speed advantage to multi-core processors; a machine mostly always is doing more than one thing at a time, the various simultaneously ongoing tasks essentially get broken up and the pieces are placed in que for processing. With multiple processors, you have multiple ques; less waiting time.

All that said, the fastest processor available is not of much benefit without adequate memory and a suitably responsive hard drive. If you really want the fastest machine around, get a fast processor, the maximum amount of the fastest memory the processor/MoBo/chipset/Operating System will support, and the fastest hard drive you can find. Going beyond that, the next bottleneck is video; get the meanest video card your resources will support. And of course high-end hardware-based (actual cards, as opposed to integrated onto the motherboard) audio, networking, USB, and FireWire solutions will boost overall system performance as well.

Its really very simple; just add money

I love that quote!!!

But just for clairifcation purposes. I am actually a really good programmer just could care less about the acually hardware. (That's why I have to post to figure out what components to use.)

Anyway, I understand that for the computer every different 64k block of code is considdered a separate program...My major drag for the processor is my video editing software where rendering can take days. What I want to know is do you believe that both processors will kick in and run at max while the video is rendeing or will one chug along at 8% keeping windows running?

You won't cut your rendering time in half compared to an equivalent clockspeed single core processor, but go with a dual core and a couple gigs at least of the fastet memory you can manage, along with a 7200RPM or better yet a 10,000RPM hard drive, and you'll cut your rendering time way down compared to where you're at now. Remember, the memory and the hard drive are critical components for what you're after, too.

Thanks Man!
Yep, I've got great harddrives and I'm upgradding to DDR2 ram and getting a lot of it. I was just looking for the processor to go with it. Thanks a lot for the opinion man. You're great.

Need an Opinion...
I found a Pentium D 3.0 Ghz. I'm a college student and don't have much money to burn. I can get that, a mother board, 1G of DDR2 667 Hz ram (I'll need to find another G later), and a GeForce 6200 for $250. How's the price sound to you?

Sounds reasonable. Get that other gig of RAM as soon as you can.