Dual Core vs Quad Core

[bdeloria]

We're looking at upgrading some of the workstations and a question has come up with whether we want to go with dual dual core or dual quad core xeons. Based on our budget we would have to trade cpu speed for more cores(ie: 2 dual core xeons 2.6ghz or 2 quad core 2.0ghz xeons). Is there a consensus or rule of thumb to follow for this?

I also know that you have to have SMP enabled to do this or else it's just going to use one core and one chip.

Also correct me if I am wrong if all of the part files and models are stored on network drives the only use for the local drive within the workstation is:

1. Swap for the OS
2. Undo / Redo list / scratch drive

Thanks,

Brian

 

[gofwd]

I worked on a dual quad for the last year and it was terrible.#-) The OS would divide each ap to a different processor ok, the problem was that gave my two heavy apps only 1/8th cpu. NX will share between cores only on special functions that I hardly ever use.
I finially whined enough and got a dual 64 bit and things are much better now.

 

[bdeloria]

Dual 64bit ? Do pray tell. Don't all of the chips have EM64T? I'm primarily looking at the Dell Precision workstations for costs sake.

 

[engjeff]

More cores are always faster if the Software is SMP enabled to the same degree as the amount of threads. Call UGS and ask how threaded their app is.

The HD, (Random Access) will effect how fast the app loads. The RPM and SCSI will help with scratch. Unless you are using more Memory than your machine has you will not use scratch much at if at all.