PC users Opinions Please

Question

Since there are lots of PC users on this site, I would like to get your opinions on the soon to be released Sandy E dual socket computers. I have had an ongoing dialog with Eric at ADK that has peaked my curiosity. How do you anticapte it will impact use of PrP?

Answer 1

ok going to try to put this as simply as possible and try to not ruffle Jasons feathers at the same time
1) dual vs single processor does NOT equate to 2 times the processing power never has and probably wont ever even with the best of multi-thread software.
there are a few linux based programs that do come close (server app type stuff)
too much to explain.  its usually more like 25-40% increase. and this depends on how well both the OS and the program can handle threads.
(apple OS is one of the worst sadly and is odd considering its unix based, which yes is different from linux. its needs a complete re-write @ this point like win7 was. with all the $ Apple has i dont know why they dont do it..
oh wait yes i do they have little concern anymore over pro level clients and are more concerned with consumer goods, i this and i that )
2)Dual Xeons have thier place but most have no need of them and this includes Apple. in fact the dual vs single over time has become far less needed than ever before even with software becoming more mulit-threaded.
Part of this is that GHz is still is vastly more important than core count for the most part at least within the same architecture.
for example it takes a Dual 2.8GHz 12 core to come close matching a single 980/990 or 2600/2700
http://www.adkvideoediting.com/benchmarks.asp
while older ( i keep forgetting to update with newer numbers) its pretty sad a system thats 2 times or more the cost cant keep up!
it takes a 12 core 2.93GHz or higher to beat the single systems in normal editing even with heavier red 4k.
animators and uncompressed heavier codecs would need a dual Xeon and one like the absurdly priced Juggernaut.
several of our animator guys actuslly will use smaller more affordable systems and have several of those rendering rather than buying 1 big nasty box..
trying to think of an anlogy that works. (man i am going to sound like i am from KY)
got a dodge durango truck and a big dodge 350 truck towing a small 21' boat. (avergage editing of most) both are flying down the highway @ 75 with no issues.
now we have the same trucks but towing a 40' (uncompressed) boat the little dodge can barely get it going, 50 is its max speed without overheating but the big truck has no trouble cruising @ 75 still.
most people own a 21' boat.
i know not the best analogy
its my job to keep people from buying that Dodge 350 when they only need the durago and knowing when someone may need that big one..
as far as Apple i almost always recommend a single 3.33GHz (buy a used 2.8Ghz and swap out the CPU yourself) if you have to stay on Apples OS.
as apple does not even offer the 3.46GHz dual Xeons much less running @ 4GHz.
as to what is the best option on our site? the 3900 with the new Sandy E unless you need the big dodge.
Scott
ADK