Intel CPU / HT / Threads ??

Hi,

I'm a newbie as it comes to INTEL systems but i'm thinking of switching my AMD gaming rig into a INTEL one as it seems to make a big difference but i still have some questions:


1. What does the HT function do on a INTEL CPU?

2a. What do the Threads "4/4" and "4/8" mean and how does it affect performance?

2b. For example will you see a big difference between a 3570K on 4.0GHz vs a 3770K on 4.0Ghz with gaming?

Thnx!!

1. Wiki does a good explanation here.

but short answer, HT is a poor mans 8 core cpu from 4 core physical cores. ie each physical core has two virtual/logical cores or 2 threads. But only helps when program you are using can take advantage of HT or more than 4 cores.

2a) 4/4 means 4 cores 4 threads, ie No hyperthreading (HT) or HT off. 4/8 means HT on/being used, ie 4 physical cores, but 8 virtual cores/threads.

2b) no, some games may perform slightly worse with HT, but most no measurable difference, until some game can use more than 4 cores, or supports HTT specifically.

Unless you are encoding, etc things that can use multiple cores, unlikely to use HT.

That being said, I am likely getting 3770K which has HT, to 1) use for benching 2) since cpu may be binned higher, hence slightly overclock better. Though for 24/7, I will turn HT off, since nothing I do will use HT/ more than 4 cores, like gaming, etc, so be just like cheaper cpu without hyperthreading. Granted their may be a game or 2 out there that can use more than 4 cores, I just dont have one, and even then doubt FPS would make a big difference since at higher res, gpu more important.

I'm using my PC for regular internet en downloading movies and stuff.
But mainly i use it for gaming!! MMORPG's most of the times like WoW, SWTOR, RIFT and soon Tera-online + D3.

Would you advice a 3570K, 3770K or maybe even a 2500K?
I will probably do some basic OC (4.0 - 4,5Ghz) with H100 as cooling.

thnx for the Reply!

Might as well wait another day and read all reviews first, as they all should be up tomorrow.

Waiting for reviews makes sense.
Information so far is a I5 2500K is the "choice" gaming chip.
There have been claims 2550 (no video on chip) may overclock better, A choice only if found lower priced.
Motherboard features do enter into the decision, what do you have?
For a newbie overclocking info/performance is readily available for 2nd Generation, 3rd may take a little time for consensus.

woboy said:

Waiting for reviews makes sense.
Information so far is a I5 2500K is the "choice" gaming chip.
There have been claims 2550 (no video on chip) may overclock better, A choice only if found lower priced.
Motherboard features do enter into the decision, what do you have?
For a newbie overclocking info/performance is readily available for 2nd Generation, 3rd may take a little time for consensus.

Click to expand...

atm im running an AMD system... Thinking about the ASUS P8Z77-V but i'm not sure... only reason why i picked this one is the WLAN onboard so i don't have to use my PCI WLAN card anymore since it's crap.

But maybe there are different/cheaper and better OC boards...

Ps. i'm not planning to use CrossFire or SLI anytime soon!