Dual core or triple core for CS4?

[pbucks]

I've searched the forums for the answer to this, but not found a simple answer.

I am about to build a new PC. I will be using AMD as that fits my budget (please don't let this become a AMD versus Intel argument).

The PC will be mainly used for photo processing, mainly with CS4.

Would I be better with a dual core Phenom II. This one
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/166518

or an Athlon II triple core. This one
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/191955

There is very little difference in price. I just wondered if there will be a noticeable difference in performance.

The PC will have 4 gig of ram and will be running win7 64bit.

Please help me to make my mind up.

 

[cowasaki]

Some processes on CS4 use multiple cores so would benefit from 3 over 2 but most of the time Photoshop is waiting for you rather than the other way round. I run a 2.6GHz dual core Macbook pro and a 3GHz quad Xeon Mac pro. They feel about the same speed ie everything happens pretty much instantly other than the initial part of liquify which you can see run down the screen on the laptop but on the pro it happens straight away. On that basis I would probably say its not going to make MUCH difference but if they are the same price then go for the 3 core (also some 3 core processors are actually 4 cores with one de-activated and you might well be able to re-activate the fourth core giving you quad core)

 

[matt2martin]

You couldn't stretch the extra £15 for the X4 could you
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/176579?

Seems to do well against the phenom on toms hardware tests http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/chart...tml?prod[3015]=on&prod[2878]=on&prod[2612]=on
particularly on the CS4 options

Also you might want to check out scans daily offers on a Friday if you are building a full system http://www.scan.co.uk/todayonly you might save a couple of quid on each part, enough to maybe pay for a critical upgrade to one component.

Matt

 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

The PC will have 4 gig of ram and will be running win7 64bit

A 64 bit OS will see and use more than 4GB RAM so, based on your chosen OS, you would be better off running 6+GB of RAM either straight on an i5 CPU or in triple channel mode on an i7 CPU.

Can't see the point of building a dual core system in 2010. Quad core is where it's at at the moment and for Intel it's i5 on a budget and i7 if you need it.

 

[pbucks]

Well, I've taken the plunge.

Got a really good deal that brought the PhenomII x4 940 into range.

 

[Triggaaar]

Well, I've taken the plunge.

Got a really good deal that brought the PhenomII x4 940 into range.

Can you tell us about the deal? I'm just looking at building a new PC, and I was thinking I'd go for the Athlon II Quad as the Phenom II is a fair bit more expensive.