Currently (early 2019), what's a good Intel CPU for Multitasking?
 

Hello,

I've tried to better grasp what currently makes sense to acquire with the pretense that I'll be a) using Linux and b) likely to be doing more than one thing on said machine.

After a couple of articles and usual browsing sources, I can't say I'm all too certain whether I get it or not.

With all the misconceptions and hearsay floating around the Internet, I've decided to come here and ask the experts what they think.

What processor would you recommend for someone who intends to run a 64-bit OS, utilizing intel graphics, and isn't planning on running video-intense applications (i.e. gaming, video editing, modeling). Let's also assume this is for a traditional desktop.

TL;DR:
I trying to see if I can get a baseline for what's considered a good processor that handle things like having a browser running with multiple tabs open, maybe a IDE or text editor open (also with multiple tabs open), maybe a terminal open, etc. Another scenario could be the utilization of a few hypervisors running (via Vbox) and then a browser open with potential separate documents open.

My rudimentary understanding of Intel VS AMD is that Intel utilizes its individual cores differently than AMD and thus gives the impression that it handles things like gaming better than AMD. Outside of that, I don't know what any of that is worth considering when it comes to multitasking. People seem to be quick to mention that more cores equals better multitasking performance (thus giving preference to AMD).

My thinking then is, if the case being the way it is with distinct performance between these chip companies, what would make sense for Intel? Would a processor with 4 cores satisfy basic multitasking? Would I need an i7 just in case or would an i5 do just fine? People don't seem to care about clock speed anymore. Should I?

Any advice/tips would be welcome.

TIA

:hattip:

EDIT:
Please see posts #12 and #13 for definitive answers.

Do you refuse to read related [online] documentation again? Or could you please use a search engine?
I would say the answer is: the processor is more or less irrelevant - all can do multitasking (if it has more than one core). If you want to know the details you need to go for the information you exactly need (like comparison running different kind of software on different processors).

Agree: all modern PC CPUs allow multitasking (running more than one app at a time) but it depends on what specifically you are doing: video rendering, compiling, web surfing, gaming, etc.

There is also multi-threading but I cannot intelligently speak to this.

As pan64 said: the CPU is pretty irrelevant unless you have a special use case.

multitasking only works with apps that are coded to take advantage of it. other wise its one core processing no matter how many cores one has. And yes speed still matters. Why wouldn't it?

or is that, multi-threading where an app takes advantage of more than one thread to do its work, still it has to take turns running?

I run a what must be almost a decade old AMD FX 8750 and don't notice any problems running browsers, email client, games and VMs -- in fact my desktop handles Windows 10 better as a VM then my cheap laptop does natively.
So, my point is that any CPU is fine.

I believe the latter is correct but someone who knows more may correct me: "multi-threading where an app takes advantage of more than one thread to do its work"

multitasking/multithreading see wiki about it. is false.

I think your referring to parallel processing. Multitasking, multiprocessing and parallel processing are all different.

yeah that is why I made the after thought comment in my entire comment. A single core can multitask. Meaning more than one app running, where if so it gets put in a queue and takes turns via clock cycles to process its data. (something like that)

.. besides I didn't know there was going to be a pop quiz today. :cry: or I would have prepared for it. :D

Someone get me a glossary!


Computer multitasking

In computing, multitasking is the concurrent execution of multiple tasks over a certain period of time. New tasks can interrupt already started ones before they finish, instead of waiting for them to end.

Multiprocessing

Multiprocessing is the use of two or more central processing units within a single computer system. The term also refers to the ability of a system to support more than one processor or the ability to allocate tasks between them.

Multithreading
Computer architecture

In computer architecture, multithreading is the ability of a central processing unit to execute multiple processes or threads concurrently, supported by the operating system. This approach differs from multiprocessing

Parallel processing
Psychology
Image result for parallel processing

In psychology, parallel processing is the ability of the brain to simultaneously process incoming stimuli of differing quality. Parallel processing is a part of vision in that the brain divides what it sees into four components: color, motion, shape, and depth.

Parallel computing
Programming language paradigm

Parallel computing is a type of computation in which many calculations or the execution of processes are carried out simultaneously. Large problems can often be divided into smaller ones, which can then be solved at the same time.

that should stop the confusion.

Wow
 

It's entertaining to find you constantly upset over something like me admitting to not understanding something you obviously do.

As I mentioned, I already looked online and obviously did use a search engine.

Please, though, continue to express yourself with the condescending attitude you have which adds nothing to the notion of helping others out (while giving them the benefit of the doubt).

I look forward to you commenting the same rhetoric on all of my posts 'cause then I get the satisfaction of seeing you tied up.

Keep up the good work. :rolleyes:

P.S. - Nobody's forcing you to post, mate. You committed to that all on your own (like the big boy you are). :)

Let's sum up in simple language.

Multitasking is down to the operating system sharing out time between tasks: any modern computer does it.

What you wanted to know is, I think, whether two tasks can work on separate cores of the processor, to each get better performance. The answer is again, I believe a matter of the OS.

Or perhaps you wanted to know whether a program could exploit more than one core to improve performance? A game will obviously do so, as it will make use of the graphics processor. For other programs, few would be written to do this, but then few other than games and simulations would need to do to. It's a matter for the program.

So, the answer is that the CPU is not really relevant, if you have at least two cores and graphics capability, unless you are running some very exotic software!

Let's get our terminology right:
multi-tasking is the capability of an Operating System to execute more than one task at (seemingly) the same time. As Unix has been designed as a TimeSharing MultiTasking O/S all Linux (which has been derived from Unix) versions on all CPU's can do that.
The major difference is TimeSharing versus RealTime and nowadays the borders between those are rather vague. See the literature about the differences.

multi-processing is the capability to REALLY run multiple processes (or threads) at the same time. For that, of course, you will need multiple processors (CPU's) or multiple Core's in a single CPU. Again, nowadays the borders are vague as real heavy duty multi-processing systems will have multiple CPU's, each with multiple Core's.

multi-threading is the ability of an application to run multiple streams of code (threads) in parallel. This can be done both by multi-tasking them (as Linux sees them as separate tasks) or multi-processing each thread to a separate core/cpu.
In both cases you may get into problems with synchronicity and data sharing as they are not really separate tasks, so the application has to be special written FOR this.

Then: your observation above is wrong as multi-tasking is about multiple TASKS, not about one task's ability to do multi-processing cq -threading.

I don't like that kind of post, because completely offtopic. You can say simply thanks if you want to. Feel free to analyze members instead of understanding posts.

!
 

Everything you said: right back at 'ya. If the opening intent is to incite malice, then what good is it?

I recommend you follow your own advice. :)