Pentium 4 w/ HT(aka. Pentium D) vs. Core 2 Duo

[Athanasius]

I have a Pentium 4 3.0 ghz with Hyper Threading and I was thinking of getting a Core 2 Duo E4500.

Now I know that the Pentium 4 with HT have been rebranded as "Pentium D" (I read on Slashdot) and I see on the Dell and HP websites that they are still putting Pentium D processors in servers (I am using my desktop for an edubuntu server).

It seems that my cpu is getting maxed out with myself, a virtual machine, and four other users running at the same time so I am wondering if it would be an upgrade to install 2.2 ghz Core 2 Duo E4500.

I would appreciate someone's input on this matter because I do not know too much about processors.

[SunnyRabbiera]

well really there is no major reason to upgrade from P4 to a dual core as Pentium 4 is pretty decent (I use one myself)
though the speeds of a dual core definitely is a big edge, those SOB's are fast man!

[glupee]

ht and dual core are not the same thing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyper_threading
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_core

pentium 4 and pentium d are not the same thing
http://www.intel.com/products/proces...ium4/index.htm
http://www.intel.com/products/proces...um_d/index.htm


here's are some benches that compare the two
http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=548&p=0

now bout your question, core 2 duo is a huge step up from pentium d never mind pentium 4
here's a pentium d to core 2 duo comparison with some benches. You'd be hard press to find p4 to c2d comparisons as they are world apart.
http://www.bcchardware.com/index.php...1&limitstart=0

good luck and remember, google is your friend.

[igknighted]

I have a Pentium 4 3.0 ghz with Hyper Threading and I was thinking of getting a Core 2 Duo E4500.

Now I know that the Pentium 4 with HT have been rebranded as "Pentium D" (I read on Slashdot) and I see on the Dell and HP websites that they are still putting Pentium D processors in servers (I am using my desktop for an edubuntu server).

It seems that my cpu is getting maxed out with myself, a virtual machine, and four other users running at the same time so I am wondering if it would be an upgrade to install 2.2 ghz Core 2 Duo E4500.

I would appreciate someone's input on this matter because I do not know too much about processors.

I doubt your mobo could handle a c2d, you would likely need a new board. Plus that would likely mean new ram, as I believe that processor usually has 184 pin ram, not the 240 pin the c2d uses. And then is your graphics card agp? You would need a pci-e card these days. So it isn't a cheap upgrade by any stretch.

That all said, the c2d is light years beyond your p4 w/ ht (which is not a pentium D... those are actually dual core, hyperthreading merely simulates two cores). If you do go that route, I have two tips:

First, don't skimp on your motherboard. It is tempting to get a cheaper model to save money, but you will probably regret it later on.

Second, get the chips with the upgraded cache sizes. Intel chips rely on cache heavily, so go with one of the **50 or **20 models, because the cache doubles from 2mb to 4mb. I have been a big fan of the E6320 and E6420, but newegg.com has a great special on the E6550 which blows them away. It is definitely worth the $40 over the E4500 you are looking at (1333mhz fsb vs. 800mhz, 4mb cache vs. 2mb). Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115030

[Athanasius]

Ok, thank you. Now a related question is that my mother board has 800 mhz front side bus. The Core 2 Duo E4500 is also 800 mhz fsb. Is it better to get a cpu that gets a higher fsb speed like all the other Core 2 Duo processors?

[Athanasius]

igknighted, you answered my question... I didn't see your post before I wrote that last one. Thank you very much.

[SunnyRabbiera]

really though its up to you to see if you want to upgrade to a dual core.
Like I said I think a P4 is pretty good, sure a dual core is lightyears ahead but if you dont want the trouble of upgrading then stick with it.