Quad cores right around the corner
 

Apparently Quad cores are being released later this year -

"So, Intel has just launched its new dual-core processors based on the Core microarchitecture, and they are set to be replaced by quad-core processors at the end of this year. This announcement will make Intel's Core 2 Duo processors obsolete before they've even had the chance to really penetrate the market in any substantial volumes."

http://www.bit-tech.net/columns/2006...ng_soon/1.html

of course the author goes on to write
". . . in the long run, those cores are going to get used - it's not taken long for developers to develop multithreaded code for dual core processors, so I don't think it will be much more than 12 months before we see massively-multithreaded applications on the market."

Aye, this is the new rebirth of computers for sure.

Playstation 3 has 8 x cores! You seen the trailer/previews for various games? fuk me, it's getting so life-like. The realtime physics capabilities are awesome. A far cry from my commodore 64, buahah, 20yrs ago

The funny thing is that, if you look, the Core Duo's are embedded onto a piece of silicon that looks as though it was made for quad-cores. It's half empty - only two quarters are used (ie. one for each of the two cores, currently). So it looks like dual-core is merely a transitional phase to maximise revenue before quad cores, as you mention, will debut just around the corner.

Am happy with my single-core pentium M at the moment, but will likely be looking into the first quad-core pentium Ms when they come out in, say, a year or twos time, by which time both 64-bit support and Vista should be very mature.
If I didn't already have a laptop. the 64-bit dual core Pentium Ms look like the absolute cat's whiskers. Me0w baby!

Technology is insane! I love it...

You're exactly right. The cool thing is that if a person does decide to go with a core duo right now, they can easily pop out the processor and pop in a quad core a year or two later. (that's why a few people are saying just go with a middle of the road duo, like the 6600 (rather than the 6800). This way you get great performance right now (without breaking the bank) and can save some cash for the quad cores next year.

I've used a dual-core AMD since they were released and its been very nice. Cakewalk Sonar didn't really support dual cores until version 5 but now it is in. I still think there is room for improvement but just having the extra core for OS purposes on top of your running application is almost reason enough to go dual. :)

Thats basically what I did - built a new DAW PC with a realtively cheap dual core processor to with the intention of sticking somethng faster in it fairly once they are available and the price settles.

I have word from a mate that builds computers that Octagonal processors will be here before the end of the year.

8 x 2 gig processors in a octagonal mesh network array :lol:

I still just want a G5 mac though :P