Which new pc - dual or quad + which graphics?

Question

I want to buy a new pc to use primarily with video and photo editing (PREMIERE ELEMENTS 4 & PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 6). I'm looking for something that can easily handle these two programs without seizing / slowing down when project become complex.

At the moment I have 3 PCs on the shortlist. All have 500GB hard disk and 4 GB RAM. All will run on Vista Home Premium 32 bit (I don't believe programs above are compatible with 64 bit.)

The PCs differ in:

PC 1.

CPU: Athlon 64 X2 6000+ 3.0 GHz

Graphics: Ati Radeon HD 2600 (256 MB).

PC 2

CPU: Intel Core 2 quad-core Q6600 2.40 GHz

Graphics: Nvidia GeForce 8600 GT (512 MB).

PC 3

As PC 2 but graphics is a Nvidia GeForce 9300 (256mb)

There is little difference in price.

My main question, which of these PCs would be the better buy: is it better to have a faster dual core or a slower quad? Quads certainly seem to feature more on the market and I wouldn't want to get something already out of date.

Also how important is the graphics card for these type of software? I am not interested in gaming but am interested in the more advanced features of photo & video editing.

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

I think the best pc is going to be the second choice.

Intel tends to make slightly faster/cooler processors than amd. Clockspeed is not a good measure of how fast it can processor instructions.

Graphic card is kinda of important to these type of programs. The program will use the video buffer to draw the images. The faster it can draw, the faster the program will respond. I would pick 2 over 3, because it has more video ram than the 3. The more video ram, the larger the image it can process/hold.

Lastily these programs are capable of running in a 64 bit os. they are not 64 bit programs. If you refer to the link, it tells you that the programs will run in a 64 bit under 32 bit compatibilty mode. I think a 64 bit os is important thing for you because you are running 4 gigs of ram.

64 bit os has 16 billion memory registry (2^62=16 billion something), 32 bit os has 4 billion memory registry (2^32=4 billion something).

now you are running 4 gigs of ram, plus 512 mg in video ram, plus swap space. All three require memory registry, so your really running 4.512 gig +plus your swap space. You might expect memory addressing errors, especially when using tons of ram (like in priemere), those kind of errors will crash the computer, and require a reboot. If you can get it with vista 64, i recommend that. Plus once your at vista 64, it will be easy to move to more ram (let's say 6-8 gig), or a bigger video card, or add a sound card that has its own ram.  It's more scalable system.

Answer 2

There is now question about it go with option 2.  Also a key feature to look at is physical memory or ram. Plan on getting about 3 to 4gig for vista

http://bitsandbytescomputers.sytes.net

Answer 3

AMD 64X2 proccesors are cheap, and very good if you get the "brisbane core" version, not the "windsor core."

Honestly though, if you can affod it get the Intel quad as it's always useful to be future proof.

Another tip. DONT GET THE 9300 graphics!!!!

Get the 8600 if you can, or an 8800. Also if you are going to get an 8600 nvidia make sure it's the GTS version. there is a massive difference between GT and GTS