Hi to all. New here, but been lurking for some time, and grateful for a lot of help already obtained from a lot of very learned and helpful posters.
 
In the process of building a new PC, just for X3. i have been looking at dual CPU configs and MB's etc and sorting out my 'want' list against my 'need' list. Not a computer dummy, but always learning and acknowledge keeping up is difficult.
 
The only question I cannot seem to find a definative answer on is my subject. There are some unbelievable deals around on gen 3 cpu's, but always 4 thread count. If I go the dual cpu route, I doubt using 4 thread CPU's would matter, as Sonar will, I believe, task between the pair. But what if I only use a single CPU. Will 4 threads still be OK, or is it imperative that the CPU have 8 ?
 
Hoping someone can shed some light on this apparently 'grey' area.
 
Cheers
 
Dave.

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
 
 

Thanks for that. The bit that is confusing me mostly is the thread count, not so much the core count, or am I really misunderstanding this part? If I go for a good quad core, that is both solid and fast, will only having 4 threads make a difference to the way Sonar operates, or should I just shoot for say a i7 4770 quad core with an 8 thread count, because that would make a difference to Sonar? If I go the dual cpu route, I intend on using two quad core's, total of 8 threads.
 
 

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.
 
 

Thanks for your reply. I would trust you, but know nothing about you lol!!
 
I know the higher clock speed is relevant. i also understand that the more cores, in general,  the more capable the CPU.
 
Forgetting dual Cpu's, what I would really like to know is comparing two quad core Cpu's of similiar clock speed, one 4 thread the other 8 thread, will that make a difference to SONAR ? Or in other words, does SONAR operate better having 8 threads available as opposed to only 4 ? This is the question that I cannot seem to get an opinion on.
 
Thanks for your help. It's appreciated.

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
 

Thanks Scott. That's pretty clear. Then an I7 it will be. And probably the 4770K which seems to be on the top of the heap at the moment.
 
Cheers
 
Dave.

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