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Posted by Spex on 05/02/07 16:36
Luis Ortega wrote:
> Thanks for the links.
> I guess that I am trying to determine whether an 8 core is really worth it
> in terms of performance now and in the future.
> I read some reports that discuss that there is a memory bandwidth bottleneck
> for the 8 core given the rest of the specs of the system and so it might not
> be a useful choice over the 4 core. The whole system would need to be
> developed further, maybe with faster memory speeds beyond 667, and perhaps
> some architecture would need refinements to ever get the real benefits of 8
> core, regardless of whether the software is being optimized for multicore
> systems.
> If this is the case, then maybe 8 cores are a good idea that needs the next
> generation of refinements for the rest of the components to catch up to its
> potential.
> I don't really know the stuff well enough to form a competent opinion, so I
> keep reading as much as I can before making a buying decision.
> My choices now are whether to stick with a 4 core and improve the ram and
> fast drives and video card or go with 8 core in the hopes that it already
> has adequate support from the rest of the system architecture so that when
> software is optimized for it it can really deliver its full potential. You
> can always improve the ram and drives and video cards but you are basically
> stuck with the processors and underlying architecture until they redesign
> the computer itself.
> On a separate question, if you want to also run windows, is it better to
> install the 64 bit version so that it can access the full amount of ram in
> the system rather than the 32 bit version or does this not apply to a
> windows installation on the Mac Pro?
> Thanks for any advice.
>
An 8 core Mac or PC is the current fastest box you can buy for your
money. In an ideal world there wouldn't be a memory bottleneck but it
does not stop the 8 core out performing the 4 core by a considerable
margin. It is up to you to decide if your workflow can make use of the
extra 4 cores and worth the added expense. It wouldn't be worth it if
your render times are trivial as half of trivial is still trivial!
You should install 32 bit Windows if you want to have widest possible
compatibility with drivers and software.
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