Dual core and dual processingmachines

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Dual processor or dual-core is always an advantage because, as previously mentioned, the OS can direct an application to either processor, distributing the total workload between the available processors.

Even if none of the applications you use are actually 'dual-proc capable', dual processing is still an advantage because while one processor can take care of the OS duties, the other processor can concentrate on your DAW application.

There are other things that are important too, as has also been mentioned. Fast hard drives are essential. Generous RAM is important. Also, the chipset and memory bandwidth are major factors for DAW performance.
 
Given the clear superiority of dual-proc and dual-core systems, the next question becomes, How do you choose a good dual-proc/dual-core system?

After raw CPU power, the next important specification is memory bandwidth.

The PowerMac G5 has a memory bandwidth of 8.5 GBps, which is huge, but compare that to the Intel 975X Northbridge with a max memory bandwidth of 10.7 GBps...
 
How do you choose a good dual-proc/dual-core system?
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Read as many reviews as possible. Sound on Sound has been doing write ups on the core duo for the last 2 months and those are specifically tested as DAWs. My pick would be to hold out for the Core 2 Duo which should be available later this year. The Register did a review and the numbers were insane, their reference was a FX-62 (a $1000 processer) and the Core 2 was posting numbers 20% higher on all PCmarks
 
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