Which processor?

[Cyan]

I'm thinking of buying a new modercard and a new CPU. But I don't know which CPU. My budget is around $400 - 450...

Is Dual Core worth the cash?

My main gear is Cubase SX, reason (mostly in rewire mode), a bunch of softsynths, softsamplers, VST-effects + some line-in instruments.

[OverCoat]

Some say Hyperthreading messes with music software but I never had any problems.

Well actually I do but they're not HT-related.

[sgx]

If your host supports multiple cores (I don't know if Cubase does yet or not), then dual core is the way to go. Otherwise it is a waste of a core.

[OverCoat]

Not really

Rendering a .wav or an .mp3 DOES take half the time when Hyperthreading is turned on, whether the program is "optimized" or not. I tried this! I have a 3.2 GHz P4. I can say for certain that HT is pretty cool ;0

[zircon]

Faster rendering time isn't quite worth $200.

[Compyfox]

Invest more in RAM rather than CPU power if you're going to use Romplers anyway (sample players like EWQL, etc). If you're using basicly synthesizers and hardware - your choice.

But so far... 64bit doesn't work "yet", unless you use patched versions of XP64 and the soon released Windows Vista. That can use the new technologies without problems and how they were aimed at. Else it's only good for playing videogames.

[OverCoat]

Faster rendering time isn't quite worth $200.

HEY LOOK I'M ZIRCON I'M A WISEASS AND I LOVE IT

Obviously HT applies to more than just rendering. but
OH TWO HUNNED DALLAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[zircon]

Faster rendering time isn't quite worth $200.

HEY LOOK I'M ZIRCON I'M A WISEASS AND I LOVE IT

Obviously HT applies to more than just rendering. but
OH TWO HUNNED DALLAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Don't be a troll.