8 threads vs 4 threads ?

Dual processors are a complete waste of money particularly older tech. 
a single 6 core (4930K) would kill the older Xeons in performance.
you would have to build dual 8 core or higher to beat it.
also GHz is king over core count for most things.
now you could build a single 12 core Xeon they will run on some of the single processor boards
 
 

an i7 will have double the threads as the cores so 4 core 8 threads, 6 cores 12 threads, dual 12 core 48 threads..
again cores and threads are not as important as GHZ..  and while core count has become far more important than ever before a 8 core 2.2GHz would still be killed by a 4 core 3.5GHz system with concern for audio
to make it very simple trust me stop looking at dual processors.
 
 

already answered! I guess you don't know who I am all good.
 
again 8 cores/16threads @ 2.2GHz is slower than 4 cores/8threads @ 3.5GHz
lets do way with the word threads as a 4 core has 4 addition cores much easier to call it that (cores).
 
if you have 8 core vs 16 core @ the same speed then the more cores will be more powerful yes. but really only for some things.
more effects basically.
 
so yes an i7 is better than an i5
 

Dave, (just in case you're not aware of who Scott is).......he's one of the two prominent DAW builders here on the Cake Forums. (http://www.adkproaudio.com/)
 
The other builder is Jim Roseberry. (http://www.studiocat.com/open_cart/)
 
 
 
 
BTW, I don't work for either of them nor do I get paid for this, but wouldn't refuse any royalty checks in the mail. j/k  

4771 is out now.. $5 more than the 4770 but personally I would get the 4770K and over clock
now you have some serious power

if you can afford it, get the 6 core 4930, which is what JC mentioned at the top of the thread... it's probably still $500 buckeroos but man, is it a screamer!  I spent a lotta time lookin' at cpu's, and the two above gurus thoughts plus outside forum data and finally went the the 6 cores/12 threads.  You'll have to wait till 2015 ish for haswell to hit that mark...just google the two choices and spend the night digesting it all or remember, it was at the top of this page...
 
furthermore, why not have jc or jim build it?  it'll be tweaked to the max and trouble free...well worth the bit of premium for truly stellar, matched components not to mention proper setup...which makes all the difference in the world. You won't be in here complaining about glitches/problems that really get back to the setup/computer build itself... I can't begin to imagine the amount of forum time spent on trying to resolve folks problems that often get back to component selection/configuration/setup...or what I've come to routinely call cheap china sheeet thrown together to maximize profit margins...
 
time/angst/frustration/inspiration lost, let alone the value of YOUR time trying to sort it out (good luck!)...avoiding that is worth way more than the small price for the specialized skills and experience that'll go into creating your daw...