Computer build advice needed
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: the beaches of florida
Computer build advice needed
So im in the process of building a new pc. Im looking into multiple cores and this will be my first time going that route. How much ram will be enough for the pc? 4gigs of ram sounds like a good amount of ram, however if i have two cores then wont both cores be sharing that amount, so that each core really only has like 2gigs?
I was looking into a setup that has 3 cores and 4 gigs of ram. In theory running at 100% capacity the setup would run really choppy if im right. Or am i wrong? I hope im wrong because i dont want to spend a lot of money on ram.
If you have any advice on a build feel free to post it, any help is appreciated.
I was looking into a setup that has 3 cores and 4 gigs of ram. In theory running at 100% capacity the setup would run really choppy if im right. Or am i wrong? I hope im wrong because i dont want to spend a lot of money on ram.
If you have any advice on a build feel free to post it, any help is appreciated.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Denver, Co
The first big question that comes to my mind is, "What OS are you going to run?"
XP & Vista are touted at leveraging up to 4GB of memory, but that is really more like 3GB. Putting anything beyond that in a box is generally just a waste of money.
Having multiple processors (cores) does not necessarily mean that they will be put to use. And, even when they are put to use, that does not necessarily mean that each will own its own little chunk of physical memory.
In most cases, programs are not built to leverage the multi-core processors that are commonplace today. The end result is that a single core gets hit constantly while the others sit idle. If you get into assigning processes to certain cores/processors, you can better spread processor load on your box, but in most cases it just is not worth the time & effort.
XP & Vista are touted at leveraging up to 4GB of memory, but that is really more like 3GB. Putting anything beyond that in a box is generally just a waste of money.
Having multiple processors (cores) does not necessarily mean that they will be put to use. And, even when they are put to use, that does not necessarily mean that each will own its own little chunk of physical memory.
In most cases, programs are not built to leverage the multi-core processors that are commonplace today. The end result is that a single core gets hit constantly while the others sit idle. If you get into assigning processes to certain cores/processors, you can better spread processor load on your box, but in most cases it just is not worth the time & effort.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Cambridge, Ontario
What will this system be used for ?
Vista (32 bit) SP1 is supposed to fix the 3GB issue, so they say !
I have XP Pro (32 Bit) with an Intel E7400 2.66mhz dual clocked @ 3.4 Mhz with 3 GB 667 mhz 1333 mhz FSB and 2- PCI-e ATI Radeons 4670 GDDR3 2 GB total in crossfire and a Garbage ASrock Mother Board.
I built this system a few months ago for $ 200 Cnd and surprisingly enough it will handle everything I can throw at it, e.g (Flight sim X, Crysis, Bio Shock.. etc. )
I am amazed how far the E7400 will clock and stands up well against most in it's class and remains stable even @ 3.8 Ghz !
Have a look around a few Benchmark sites, before you decide.
Vista (32 bit) SP1 is supposed to fix the 3GB issue, so they say !
I have XP Pro (32 Bit) with an Intel E7400 2.66mhz dual clocked @ 3.4 Mhz with 3 GB 667 mhz 1333 mhz FSB and 2- PCI-e ATI Radeons 4670 GDDR3 2 GB total in crossfire and a Garbage ASrock Mother Board.
I built this system a few months ago for $ 200 Cnd and surprisingly enough it will handle everything I can throw at it, e.g (Flight sim X, Crysis, Bio Shock.. etc. )
I am amazed how far the E7400 will clock and stands up well against most in it's class and remains stable even @ 3.8 Ghz !
Have a look around a few Benchmark sites, before you decide.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: the beaches of florida
Im probably gonna be running ubuntu. The only game that i know i have that will take advantage of dual core is oblivion, but that game takes a hell of a toll on the pc.
Elder User
Joined: May 2005
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I would go with a core i7 920 . it's a quadcore chip, and you would need a X58-based motherboard also. get at least 6 gig of ram. these new boards can hold 12 gigs but 6 would be a good start. When windows 7 is released it will utilize all the ram you can give it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
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Ubuntu is awesome,
Just FYI:
a 32 bit operating system can only address 4gb.
Why does the OS report 3.x GB? Because thats 4gb of total addressable locations....ram, graphics, all have to be inside of that 4gb.
The only thing that the service pack does is show you that 4gb is installed , but it doesnt use any more than before.
There is a way to force windows to use all 4gb of ram, but it changes the addressing system and has very negative performance so theres no point.
Just FYI:
a 32 bit operating system can only address 4gb.
Why does the OS report 3.x GB? Because thats 4gb of total addressable locations....ram, graphics, all have to be inside of that 4gb.
The only thing that the service pack does is show you that 4gb is installed , but it doesnt use any more than before.
There is a way to force windows to use all 4gb of ram, but it changes the addressing system and has very negative performance so theres no point.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: northern Michigan
One thing to keep in mind also is that to justify more then one core, you must be using software that is made to take advantage of the extra cpu, otherwise it is just sitting there using power and generating heat. Almost all of your home software is made to look for and use just one core.
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