It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
Community
General discussion (archive)Hexa-core CPU's rolling out(28 posts)(28 posts)
(28 posts)
Pages:
1
2
This is my favourite topic
Posted March 17, 2010
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=9461&SRCCODE=WEM2228MS&cm_mmc=Email-_-Main-_-WEM2228-_-components
Intel released their overpriced 6-core cpu. AMD has also responded:
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/AMD-six-core-thuban-45nm,8708.html
I will likely not get one for at least 2 years, considering they're likely going to be multi-thousand dollar systems for a long while. Hopefully the AMD will still be good price with great performance ratio like always, I never buy Intel because I can get two great AMD computers for the price of one Intel but that's just me ;P
EDIT: Turns out some are saying performance is poor with these CPU's, not justifying the great 'Intel Tax' on the pricetag. Oh well, I'm content with my PC as-is, just want a 9800GT and I'd be fixed.
Post edited March 17, 2010 by tb87670
Posted March 17, 2010
I wonder if this will set my house on fire if I use it. My PSU barely has enough power as it is.
Posted March 17, 2010
6 core has always struck me as a weird way to go, its not in base 2
Posted March 17, 2010
No pent-cores?
Intel's "Pentium" brand would finally make sense...
Posted March 17, 2010
Coming next year ! OCTO-CORE!!!!
Posted March 17, 2010
avatar
JudasIscariot: Coming next year ! OCTO-CORE!!!!

I'll raise you a dodeca-core.
Posted March 17, 2010
There is virtually no point in going beyond quad-core cpus (if even that) until proper development tools are commonly available so that an application can actually be built to utilize all those cores. Right now multi-core programming is already a pain in the ass even for a dual-core, and applications that properly utilize a quad-core are virtually non-existent. The common development languages just do not support it very well, although there are some experimental languages around.
Hence, end users should just give this a pass for the time being.
Posted March 17, 2010
Isn't the PS3 a heptacore system?
Post edited March 17, 2010 by Whitecroc
Posted March 17, 2010
avatar
Whitecroc: Isn't the PS3 a heptacore system?

Hepatitis system, actually.
Posted March 17, 2010
avatar
Whitecroc: Isn't the PS3 a heptacore system?

The PS3's Cell processor has nine cores, afaik. Nonacore?
Posted March 17, 2010
PS3:
8 SPEs (people debate as to whether they deserve to be called "cores"), 1 of which is locked, and another of which is reserved for the OS, leading to 6 available SPEs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_%28microprocessor%29
Posted March 17, 2010
avatar
melchiz: PS3:
8 SPEs (people debate as to whether they deserve to be called "cores"), 1 of which is locked, and another of which is reserved for the OS, leading to 6 available SPEs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_%28microprocessor%29

And a PPE, bringing the total to 9. But yes, one SPE is permanently disabled, so it can only really be called an octocore.
Posted March 17, 2010
avatar
Wishbone: And a PPE, bringing the total to 9. But yes, one SPE is permanently disabled, so it can only really be called an octocore.

That's somewhat inaccurate. Unlike a true multicore chip, the Cell's "cores" lack parity. The master CPU (PPE), if you will, is different from the cooperative "cores" (SPEs). Octo-core implies that the processor has 8 equivalent, fully-functional CPU cores. Such is not the case in the Cell.
Of course, many people will say that the SPEs, while specialized, qualify as cores. I consider that misleading. Oh well.
Post edited March 17, 2010 by melchiz
Posted March 17, 2010
avatar
Wishbone: And a PPE, bringing the total to 9. But yes, one SPE is permanently disabled, so it can only really be called an octocore.
avatar
melchiz: That's somewhat inaccurate. Unlike a true multicore chip, the Cell's "cores" lack parity. The master CPU (PPE), if you will, is different from the cooperative "cores" (SPEs). Octo-core implies that the processor has 8 equivalent, fully-functional CPU cores. Such is not the case in the Cell.

Well, then you can call it a single-core CPU if you like, but I'm guessing others might complain ;-)
Regardless, the Cell is using a completely different architecture from standard PC CPUs, so they aren't really comparable, as you say.
Posted March 17, 2010
avatar
Wishbone: Regardless, the Cell is using a completely different architecture from standard PC CPUs, so they aren't really comparable, as you say.

Yeah, fair enough.
To return to original post, I do not develop PC games, so I am curious as to how well the latest engines and middleware packages handle quad-cores, let alone the Core i7 980X and upcoming Thuban.
Pages:
1
2
This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussion (archive)Hexa-core CPU's rolling out(28 posts)(28 posts)
(28 posts)