Duo Core Q8300 versus E8400 Due to a Dell Computer error, I have the option of upgrading my Vostro 420 CPU from a Duo Core E8400 (2 cores, 3ghz each, 6 mb L2 cache, 1333 mhz fsb) to a Quad Q8300 (4 cores, 2.5 ghz each, 4mb L2 cache, 1333mgz fsb). I use Sonar Producer 5 and work with mostly soft synths (NI synths) with 2-4 audio tracks. Some effect processing done with mix. I'm thinking it might be best to stay with the E8400 because I need the speed for the soft synths and because of the cache difference but would love to get some feedback from others. Any thoughts??
Keyman900 Due to a Dell Computer error, I have the option of upgrading my Vostro 420 CPU from a Duo Core E8400 (2 cores, 3ghz each, 6 mb L2 cache, 1333 mhz fsb) to a Quad Q8300 (4 cores, 2.5 ghz each, 4mb L2 cache, 1333mgz fsb). I use Sonar Producer 5 and work with mostly soft synths (NI synths) with 2-4 audio tracks. Some effect processing done with mix. I'm thinking it might be best to stay with the E8400 because I need the speed for the soft synths and because of the cache difference but would love to get some feedback from others. Any thoughts?? FWIW, I had a dual-core setup (2.4GHz) with 2G RAM for a long time - and made a LOT of music with very little hassle. Then I upgraded to quad-core (still 2.4GHz) with 4G RAM (using the /3 switch for XP) and I can only say it's a big difference.
Benchmarks,Specs and Ranks for All CPUs in the last decades. Including Cinebench,Passmark,SuperPi,Wprime,3DMark,Fritz Chess,Windows Index Benchmarks.
![Q8300 benchmark Q8300 benchmark](/uploads/1/2/5/4/125448466/496434586.png)
I think it's the combination of the 4 cores PLUS the extra memory. One or the other by itself may not have yielded as much benefit, however. So I would lean toward the 4 cores but also consider putting as much memory as you can (XP limits you to 4G but I have found no real limits in this). And, I use a TON of HUGE plugins (like Omnisphere, Trilian, and so on) without having to first freeze. I actually only freeze when I'm ready to stay in the mixing mode (I prefer to just work with audio at that point). That's my 2 cents;).
I just upgraded to the Q8300 Core2 Quad, 2.5 GHz with 8GB. It was a decision made with price/performance in mind so I checked out PassMark Software CPU Benchmarks. They rated the Q8300 at relative score 3564 (high better) and rank 73 (lower better) The E8400 at 3.0 GHz got 2223 and rank 157. Seems you can't judge much by the clock speed. I think it makes a big difference if you run 64bit or 32bit and if you software (like SONAR) can take advantage of the Quad core architecture.
For comparison I run CAD on a Xeon W3520@ 2.67GHz (4901, rank 31) at work but on XP 32 bit (3.5 GB ram). The 32 bit OS takes a lot of the punch out of it.
![Q9500 passmark Q9500 passmark](/uploads/1/2/5/4/125448466/876275964.png)
The benefits of the larger cache and higher clock speed will not compensate for the four cores with Sonar, unless perhaps you are working with.extremely. low latencies with some.very good.
drivers for a.very good. audio interface. Based on your decision to purchase a Dell Vostro (nothing wrong with that, they're very good, affordable business computers), I would assume you're not working with an extremely high-end audio device (please correct me if I'm wrong), and based on your description of workload, then the quad core is by far the best choice. In the end, you'll ultimately be able to handle larger projects as time goes.
There's no compelling point in getting a dual-core anymore, don't hesitate and get the quad. You have other issues to consider as well - what OS, how much RAM, what audio device, etc. And then, there's the issue of Sonar 5. If you are planning on continuing to work with Sonar 5, then what I just said may not be as relevant. I don't know how effective the multithreading and load-balancing features are in Sonar 5.
In Sonar 8.5, it's very good, and you'll get far more mileage out of the quad core than you will the faster dual-core. EDIT: The engine has been substantially improved and optimized since Sonar 5. See the various related release notes and 'fine print' posts by Noel.
There have been a.huge. number of improvements, so I'd seriously recommend you upgrade your Sonar.
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