Intel's new Core i7 970 six-core CPU listed online

quite true, I do not own a game, and I have all of the new graphically demanding ones, that max out the cores they use, (if memory serves, not even crysis/warhead maxed out did). I have not looked at metro's CPU utilization though. I have noted the recommended requirements for some new games though, I think it was singularity that recommended a i7 with a GTX 480...my eyes about fell out of their sockets. I agree that using 20% of 12 cores has no advantage, probably a slight disadvantage to using three cores to close to capacity. Maybe to much Sweeney and Richards, but it reads as if the use of more than 4 cores (used significantly) may be here sooner rather than later. As far as making a game exclusive by writing it so it needs more cores than many have, I think that's already happening with 'max settings'
on many games. my assertion is that the next gen of games will be written to have meaningful use of more than 3-4 cores. Now that's just 'drift getting' on my part....of course I was all set to purchase a Bulldozer last year , however I purchased my hex with no expectations of getting more FPS (in any game that is currently in release) beyond the fact that it will OC to 4.2 and help games that respond to Higher frequencies, well maybe Flight Sim.

***** EDIT, just saw the edit on your post Chef, Im going to log CPU utilization on my x3 720, and then the X6 (parts here on Monday) and see how they compare.

Congratulations.....And Happy Computing.......

For God's sake Red, quit making excuses, rationalization, justifications, and just shut up about it and be happy. All of us buy s*** because we are simply self indulgent. What is compelling you to try and make us think you're above that....?

(You couldn't be rehearsing for breaking the news to the missus, now could you)?

"Do you understand what new frontiers of computing this will open up for me hon"? (Oy, he muttered to himself while shaking his head, young people).

I'd say that four cores might be entry-level for some PC games in the not to distant future. Intel are one step away from four cores being their basic package.
That said, I think the basic problem with multithreading for games is that it's basically parallelism- and just like the problems faced by (nvidia) GPGPU's trying to supplant CPU's- it seems comes down to the fact that some computations can't be completely (at this stage) parallelised, or at least are extremely problematical ( can't give the car an oil change and drive it at the same time) so regardless of the number of threads you program for, you're still bound in some linear fashion...so maybe the game can gain in complexity (i.e. physics on cpu), but still be handicapped on outright fps (i.e. as shown by sims/RTS with complex modelling) due to queuing requirements in programming.....then of course I may be completely off base since I'm no programmer (with no desire to change that situation).

well that was just hurtful....

From this here post:
http://www.techspot.com/vb/post906128-4.html

Red said:

:wave:

I told the wife about the hexacore....now the $250 motherboard ?....need more practice...

That's My Story, and I'm Stickin' to It..........

Sorry, I was just practicing for my inevitable move to India and a "career" in customer support.

So, I suppose we could say that you want to get in touch with your inner, "child/geek" then? Also, there's the whole "admission absolves guilt" thing you're workin'.

I think that this is the reason that many married men build their own PCs. It would be too hard to justify the cost at one shot. Just remember, it'll be another mission of supplication for the SSD, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera..........We'll be pullin' for ya.....:rolleyes: Now if you'll excuse me. I have a train wreck to watch,,,,, :wave:

"I didn't do it I tells ya".....

I'm sorry, could you repeat that for me?

No, no , no...I learned my lesson. I was arrested for touching my 'inner geek' once...who knew they would be so uptight at the petting zoo?

Yumpin Yimminy man! don't say SSD!...I'm still a- workin on that.:wave: