PC Gurus Only.
 

Dual Processors. Increase speed or just necessary for better multitasking? I need to..

Run Photoshop/Dreamweaver
Play Doom 3/Half-Life 2, etc
Encode from my new Canon XL2

I was going to get: Dual Intel Xeon Processors 3.0GHz w/ EM64T 800 MHz FSB w/1MB Cache

And like 3 gigs of memory but everyone has been telling me unless I'm going to be designing CAD apps I'll be fine with a single processor and all the memory I can throw at it. Seriously need some help, need a new comp asap! I don't want to overspend either as the shit'll be obselete next year anyway

massive overkill! everyone is right.

Would you try to get a mouse out of your house with hand grenades?

... overkill? Not anymore so than a car with 100+horse power, that goes faster than the speed limit. Or a blazing fast connection. Or 200+GB. Or ...

I believe you have made the right decision - keep in mind not all applications, sofware, games and etc are multiprocessor/thread capable, but Photoshop, Dreamweaver and Premiere are.

And yes, use the hand grenade!

So dual won't be wasted? I don't want to spend the extra 2k if I don't have to but have no problem if it'll help :winkwink:

what are you plans for the future? (regarding business and tasks, more so)

will you ever do any video editing?

plan on hosting anything in the future?

If not, or not soon, than no, you do not need it.

The most extensive I'll be doing is video encoding and editing and a shitload of it.

Photoshop - big speed improvmemnt
Dreamweaver - no speed improvemnt
Doom 3 Arena? - big speed improvement
Half-life - i dunno.
Encode - depends on what software you use

It all depends on the software in question. If the software is written to be SMP aware, it will will run a LOT faster. If not, it won't. Actually, it will get a little boost, because you can tell your system to always run "program x" on the second processer, while your OS is either on the 1st, or using both, with the 1st as priority. So, progs running on the 2nd will compete less for CPU cycles.

So basically unless I'm going to be encoding video 24/7 while running Photoshop WHILE playing Doom 3 I won't be seeing much improvement overall.. that sucks, you would think dual processors would mean some serious speed.

Everything does not always vary in hardware.

since battlefield 2 is coming soon , i was thinking of building a dual 64bit machine, jus for the fuck of it.