Quad Core

[RafaLL92]

Will the Video Studio 10 plus work on my Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 (quad core processor) properly (using the Service pack 1 of course)? Or it is only for Core 2 Duo and core 2 extreme X6800?? Please respond

[Ron P.]

Didn't they just release the Quad Cores within the last week? So far there has not been an update released to support it. It may work on a system using a Quad Core, however it will not fully utilize all 4 cores..

[RafaLL92]

So you mean that VS10+SP1 will now use 'only' 2 out of 4 cores of QX6700?

[CycleWriter]

So you mean that VS10+SP1 will now use 'only' 2 out of 4 cores of QX6700?

Yeah, I think that's what he said. There's no way software developers can keep pace with processor developments. Intel and AMD are very tight-lipped about upcoming technology until they're ready to roll it out to the public. This is necessary to protect proprietary info. Companies like Microsoft may get technical data in advance of a processor release in order to aid in compatability testing, but I doubt Ulead is on either company's radar as far as that is concerned. That's why it really makes no sense to rush out and buy the latest and greatest new processor platform. Chances are, software optimized to run on it won't be forthcoming for at least 6 months, if ever.

[2Dogs]

That's why it really makes no sense to rush out and buy the latest and greatest new processor platform. Chances are, software optimized to run on it won't be forthcoming for at least 6 months, if ever.

First of all, VS is almost certainly just one of many programs that our fortunate fellow poster may run on his QX. You can bet that Photoshop and 3D Studio, among many resouce hungry apps will soon be optimised for quad core.

Secondly, video encoding is one of the easiest processes to be adapted to make use of multi-core cpu's, and can show an almost linear speed increase with increasing numbers of cpu cores and cpu speeds. Whereas VS probably won't be able to make best use of the QX now, as the processors become more established, Ulead will be obliged to offer an appropriate service pack in order to keep up with rival products.

I hope that for the edification of the forum RafaLL92 doesn't give up on VS - and is then able to give us some performance benchmarks, perhaps even pre and post some future quad core service pack/patch.

[CycleWriter]

First of all, VS is almost certainly just one of many programs that our fortunate fellow poster may run on his QX. You can bet that Photoshop and 3D Studio, among many resouce hungry apps will soon be optimised for quad core.

Read what I said. Yes, some apps will be optimized for changing processor and software architecture, but it doesn't happen that quickly. Backwards compatibility is all we can hope for, for now. Windows 64-bit has been out for more than a year, but the number of programs with native support can still be counted on one hand. Dual processor core chips have also been out for more than a year, but as yet there are few programs that can take full advantage of them. Most are in the high-end video and 3D realm, for now. Some have had this feature added via a simple update while others have/will require a full version upgrade to implement.

Secondly, video encoding is one of the easiest processes to be adapted to make use of multi-core cpu's, and can show an almost linear speed increase with increasing numbers of cpu cores and cpu speeds.

It still costs money to do and until companies are convinced that there is a user base worthwhile to invest in adopting the new technology, the updates will be slow in coming. Ulead only recently (Sep. '06) released a patch for Intel dual cores that have been available for a year. Don't expect another update for quad cores in much less time than that, if at all. The reality is that it would make more sense for Ulead to incorporate these processors into a full version upgrade and label it as a new feature worth paying an upgrade fee for.

Whereas VS probably won't be able to make best use of the QX now, as the processors become more established, Ulead will be obliged to offer an appropriate service pack in order to keep up with rival products.

Like I said, it is more likely that this will be something we pay extra for rather than a simple free update. I hope I'm wrong, but most software companies do NOT feel obliged to provide anything for free that they can just as easily get people to pay for. Remember, this isn't a bug fix we're talking about, it is a new feature that adds functionality and value to the software. And most software that isn't processor intensive will likely never need/see the benefits of multi-core processing.

[2Dogs]

Hi CycleWriter,

I did read what you said - and I'm not trying to get into some kind of slanging match.

In fact I was wrong. Photoshop and 3d Studio are already able to take advantage of quad core cpu's, as is Sony Vegas 7, iTunes and many others.

You do realise that quad core cpu's didn't just suddenly fall to earth. They've been on the manufacturers' roadmaps for quite a while, and both Intel and AMD do actually have dealings with software manufacturers and developers on an ongoing basis.

The QX6700 is the first of the intel quad core line, and costs around the same as what used to be charged for the Pentium 4 Extreme Edition cpu. There won't be too many early adopters, but for those of us with more limited resources, next year should bring lower clocked versions at more realistic price points.

Just as it doesn't make sense for anyone buying a mid range pc today to go for a single core cpu, (apart from perhaps gaming-only users) so 2007 may mark the large scale changeover to quad core.

It is also just possible that the VS10 Service Pack 1 does support quad core cpu's. Since I note that there is an SP1 specifically aimed at the VS10 TBYB version, RafaLL92 should be able to check it out - and I hope he does so, for the enlightenment of us all.

[RafaLL92]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I don't have the new computer with QX6700 yet, but im planning to thanks again.