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Hello VirtualBox community.

I am writing this post regarding some thoughts that have been tormenting me about processors. I am planning to upgrade my computer, and I was thinking about investing on a core i7 processor. I am between the core i7 2600k (sandy bridge) and the core i7 3770 (ivy bridge). Both will cost me the same. Aside from the fancy marketing stuff (22nm and stuff), all I really care about is their software development and virtualization performance. From what I have seen, their software development performance is pretty much the same. Apart from that, their difference seems to be that the non-k version lacks the epic overclocking capabilities in exchange for technologies like vt-d and txt, whereas the K (high-k metal gate, as it is noted) lacks those technologies in exchange for overclocking headroom.

So it all comes down to this: How much usefull are those technologies to a software development/virtualizer? Are they so usefull as to make it worth buying the non k version? Or should I just get the k version of the chip because those technologies are more server-oriented?

I would appreciate your input.

The "fancy marketing stuff" would interest me. Processors are bumping against physical speed limits, so the smaller the die, the faster it should theoretically be able to go. Or equivalently, it should be lower power (less heat) at the same clock speed.

The attractions of overclocking have long been a puzzle to me. PC performance these days is limited by RAM and disk speed. The processor clock has been relatively unimportant for years. So overclocking risks cooking the part for... what??

In a virtualiser you need VT-x. VT-d leaves doors open for the future. Pick a PC with a decent FSB speed, fast memory and fast HDD (or SSD). Overclocking the CPU is of no interest to me. Of course if you are only changing the CPU then you don't have some of these options - but overclocking is still not interesting.

I see. Your view on the point makes sense. Now that I am thinking of it, those technologies might be interesting in the future. I just thought I did not really want them for the time being. Thanks for your input.

NlightNFotis wrote:Hello VirtualBox community.
Apart from that, their difference seems to be that the non-k version lacks the epic overclocking capabilities in exchange for technologies like vt-d and txt, whereas the K (high-k metal gate, as it is noted) lacks those technologies in exchange for overclocking headroom.

I would appreciate your input.

the K has nothing to do with the metal gating.