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Who Needs A Quad-Core PC?

It's always interesting how projects never turn out quite the way you expect them to. When I began putting together a PC with Intel's latest top-of-the-line quad-core processor, the Core 2 Extreme QX6850, I expected there'd be a simple story line: The machine would be fast, the system would be great, end of story.

Well, the machine did indeed turn out to be fast. However, I learned a lot about how a system is only as strong as its weakest link. Namely, a screamingly fast processor married to a so-so graphics card won't be able to shine to maximum advantage.

My project also pointed me to an answer on another issue that's been the subject of much debate. Namely, do users really need all that power on their humble desktops? Certainly, so-called "enthusiasts" -- industry jargon for "gamers" -- do.

As for regular users, I'd say that consumers will definitely benefit from the additional CPU headroom that four processors provide. The QX6850 is the only chip I've ever used which can run a bloated modern Internet security program -- I won't name the vendor of the one I use -- without the slightest noticeable delay in anything else you throw at the machine.

On the other hand, businesses will be rightly averse to paying for quad on the desktop, at least until the prices come down quite a bit. In the enterprise space, I believe quad-core computing is mainly a server play, where it pays off in the areas of server consolidation and better performance per watt.

During back-to-school season (aka September), AMD and Intel will both be doing their utmost to build that business case for quad servers. The next big news will come on Sept. 10, when AMD releases its long-awaited first quad-core, the Barcelona server processor. (More than just a new product, Barcelona marks the launch of AMD's new 10h architecture. Read the details here.)

As for Intel, it will be making the case to customers that it's had four-CPU chips available for almost a year ahead of AMD. It also will emphasize the fact that it's ready to move to 45-nm technology before the end of this year; AMD won't be on 45-nm until mid to late 2008.

Which brings me full circle, from the work-related back to my PC and the lesson -- don't be a cheapskate when it comes to peripherals. I already knew that but had apparently forgotten.

Key components for my "Build a quad-core PC project, based on the Core 2 Extreme QX6850. (Click picture to enlarge.)

What unexpected lessons have you picked up through your PC projects? Read the full story of my quad-core build, and then please drop me an e-mail at awolfe@cmp.com and let me know.

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