Best performance: core count or processor speed?

Brian Jones

• 9. August 2010 19:57

I've been waiting for several months to purchase a Mac Pro, and now that they have been updated I need to figure out what configuration will give me the best results. I'm looking for the best overall performance. Working as I digital tech my needs are primarily speed related.

Will C1 Pro process files faster with 12 cores at 2.66ghz or 6 cores at 3.33ghz? Either configuration will be running 12gb ram ssd Boot drive and WD Black working disks.

I haven't been able to find any definitive answers regarding how C1 manages multiple core threading. If you know of any I would appreciate a link pointing me to it. Has anyone ever done 4core vs 8core benchmarks?

Thanks.

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  Paul Steunebrink

  • 9. August 2010 20:53

  I have not done any performance measures beyond 4 cores (note that hyper-threading doubles that amount for the software) with Capture One. However, I would be (pleasantly) surprised if any current mainstream application or Capture One supports or takes any benefit out of more than 4 or 6 processor cores.
  
  Why? Parallel processing we discuss here work thanks to the fact that a process can be split into multiple threads. See a thread as the sub part that is handled per core. Four cores can handle four threads (or eight if you take hyper-threading into account) simultaneously. Processes of Capture One are multi-threaded but I do not expect more than 8 or 12 threads (expect fewer), translating into 4 or 6 hyper-threading cores to buy in your next machine.
  
  Note that when you both process images and adjust others, you run more processes simultaneously, each with their multiple threads, utilizing more cores. In addition, you might run Capture One and another application like Photoshop simultaneously and extensively. This way you might be utilizing more than 4 or 6 cores.
  
  Hardware is ahead again of software for a few years. I would stop at 6 cores today when buying a computer, unless you want to invest in the long term.
  
  my 2 cts, which I am happy to exchange for a better one.

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  PhilippePierre

  • 10. August 2010 15:23

  "Hardware is ahead again of software"
  (sorry out of topic comment)
  Paul_E Hardware is always ahead of soft plain comments.
  What you write within this forum Paul, for any church (PC or Mac), is always lenghty, clear-sharp and adequate.
  Sincere big thanks for your time spent at sharing and helping.
  Philippe.
  (no need to comment; Don't expose yourself to hardware sunburns)

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  Paul Steunebrink

  • 10. August 2010 17:55

  I must prevent myself getting overexposed. 😉
  Thanks for your encouraging comments, Philippe.

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  rap_digital

  • 12. August 2010 09:11

  Actually our 8-core Nehalem 2.9 is at least 20% faster than the 4-core 3.33. Whether the price difference is worth it is up to you. Having said that the 6-core looks the sweet spot. If only it had a couple extra pci-e lanes and usb3 😉

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