hj47, you are not comparing like for like. The Scythe is absent from the AMD config as is 2GB of memory. I think it is a tough call. You will probably get more throughput with 2AMDs so it really boils down to whether you can accommodate two machines. You should be able to get your Core i5 up to 3400-3600 but I'm not sure how well the 620 overclocks.

Also, drop the i7 because hyperthreading does not really help much if you are running four LLs in parallel.

[quote=garo;198172]Also, drop the i7 because hyperthreading does not really help much if you are running four LLs in parallel.[/quote]

What about if you use 8 threads for 1 LL, would that be > running 4 LL's on 8 threads?

My configs are not the same for a couple of reasons, for example with the AMD systems I thought it may be more economical to use less but faster memory than a lot of slower memory.

Anyways all your input is appreciated, it's still a tough call.

[URL="http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i7-870-1156,2482.html"]LGA 1156 Memory Performance: What Speed DDR3 Should You Buy[/URL]

[quote=hj47;198176]What about if you use 8 threads for 1 LL, would that be > running 4 LL's on 8 threads?

[/quote]
Look at the perpetual benchmark thread. But also note that benchmarks are not always reliable and I find running n tests in parallel to be a better test of actual throughput.

Stay away from the i7. It costs $100 more than i5 and all you get is hyperthreading which prime95 cannot use very effectively.

Yes, but if those four virtual threads are only used by the UI and other 'fluffy' stuff, will the four 'hard' threads be much impacted? That, IMHO, may be worth it. The real i7 machines with 3 memory channels should feed the CPU quite nicely. (speaking as someone with a Q6600 that is 'sucking air' for memory bandwidth.)

[QUOTE=willmore;198290]The real i7 machines with 3 memory channels should feed the CPU quite nicely. (speaking as someone with a Q6600 that is 'sucking air' for memory bandwidth.)[/QUOTE]

All users are reporting that the i5/i7s with 2 memory channels scale quite nicely. My 2 memory channel i7 runs 4 workers at the same per-iteration timing as 1 worker.

That's wonderful news. My next desktop might be a 4 core dual channel system. I was curious if the third channel would be necessary or not. I guess 'not'. Thanks for the info, George.

[QUOTE=willmore;198405]I was curious if the third channel would be necessary or not. I guess 'not'.[/QUOTE]

True for version 25. Version 26 will place more demands on the memory subsystem.

[quote=Prime95;198436]True for version 25. Version 26 will place more demands on the memory subsystem.[/quote]
i presume that will be optional
i am pretty sure that a large percentage of systems are still based on core 2 which needs less demands not more

Out of curiosity, does anyone know how a single LL performs on an i7 860 using all 8 threads?