Chess Engines/Computer Needs

Hi, I'm looking to buy a new computer, but one of my concerns is I want to maximize my ability to use the deeper analysis end of chess engines, and am therefore looking at needing dual processors (right?). I know next to nothing about computers, but I figure a PC must be the best road to take. Is this overkill? Is the PC dead? Are there laptops that can fullfill my every need? What about the mac mini? Thanks in advance :)

For someone knowing next to nothing about computers a Macintosh is a good consideration because of its greater ease of use.  You can get an iMac or MacBook with dual processors and run the Deep Hiarcs 14 chess software which has one of the best opening books in the business and will take full advantage of the extra processors.  On the respected Swedish Rating List of computer software (http://ssdf.bosjo.net/list.htm) this program is ranked 4th with an Elo of 3200.  This is the setup I use and I've been very happy with it.

Thank you Clavius. I am still wondering about the PC options and if buying beefed up processors improves performance that much more. But initially I was looking at the mac mini, so that quells my concerns over it's processing ability 

I use a mac with parallels so I can run all the Windows apps.  In all honesty, only about 1% need the power of the latest and greatest.

My Mac Mini with an i7 is plenty to get quality analysis from stockfish and houdini...Runs Fritz UI and Aquarium very well.  Highly recommended, especially if space is a concern.

Unless you buy a used, refurbished computer or a real cheapie you're going to have multiple processors.  

I wouldn't worry too much about it, honestly.  The top programs are monsters, even on last year's hardware.

Of course PCs are dirt cheap right now and represent your best bang for the buck.  Much depends on your budget.  I don't think you can find a modern computer that isn't running at least 2 cores.  I use an AMD processor because it's a little cheaper than Intel.  Laptops are nice but you pay more for a little less function and they tend to break more often and are more expensive to fix. OTOH if you need portability or space is critical then that's the way to go.  Good luck!

Chess software and the latest graphics-oriented gaming software are the programs that benefit most from processing horsepower.  

PCs are cheaper but don't come with as much software as the Macs so when you compare costs take that into account.  If you plan to use software/DVDs from Chessbase, you will need a PC or have your Mac outfitted with PC emulation as Crimguy does (though that will need some technical expertise to set up).

Thanks, these are all great tips. 

baddogno, I was looking at the AMD, had found it in another thread and seems incredible.

crimguy and Clavius, thanks, I was aware of that function in macs but now I know what to call it/what to look up to perform that function. I had gotten chessbase videos for a windows laptop, are you saying I can play them through this PC emulation function (have a older mac mini now)? just wanted to be clear, since those videos have been sitting around getting dusty

AMD, like Intel offers a whole range of processors.  I bought an HP several years ago from BestBuy that was literally the cheapest computer in the store. It has a 2 core processor running at a modest speed and even the cheapest computer you buy today will be twice as fast.  So no, I'm not the owner of some overclocked (making it run faster than factory setting) liquid cooled monster box; mine gets by with a fan just fine.

If you are looking to do serious analysis, then a $330 computer like mine is probably not what you want.  That said, it runs HIARCS, Fritz, and ChessKing just fine and today's sub $400 computer (I already had a monitor) will do an even better job.  If you want to splurge though you can get a crazy fast machine for around $1000with 3, 5, 7, or even 8 cores and a good graphics card.  You really need to ask yourself what level of analysis you're going to be doing.  The needs of a GM doing serious prep work for tournaments is going to be very different than someone who just wants to go over a game and see what tactics they missed.  Guess you just need to figure out what your needs and budget are and then investigate the marketplace.  Have fun, but remember that if you go for the very fastest computer out there, by the time you get it unboxed and running, someone will have come out with something faster.  The sweet spot for cost/performance is rarely at the "bleeding edge".  Good luck!

Thanks, very helpful! I think that's settled it

The highest rated chess engines are 3200+...wanting a dual processor to get even more from a chess engine seems rediculous to me.  How much more than something rated 3200, do you need?

Using Parallels, I can run ALL non-3D software on my mac at a decent clip. It feels the same as a native Windows computer, until I try to do anything fancy, such as graphics intensive games. Chess apps are not processor-intensive for graphics, but can use quite a bit of the CPU's resources for analysis.

You also should be aware that Parallels, and VMware (very similar product) both require a valid copy of Windows, so factor that into your budget. Mac Mini needs a separate monitor, and a Thunderbolt adaptor if you have only a DVI connection on your display.

Funny thing is, while Windows is a bit slower on the Mac, installation of Windows is actually easier! Parallels and BootCamp (a way to boot directly into Windows, making your Mac an actual Windows computer running at full speed) automate a lot of the process. It's impressive.

If all that sounds like a bit much, just get a Windows computer. Windows is pretty solid in my opinion, and will save you $$$ in the short term.

A question: Your rating is around 1600. Why do you need a 3200 rated computer program. My rating is about the same as yours and just about any computer program knocks the sox off me! As for analysis, master level analysis is fine, anything above that gets too complex and difficult for me. It would be like a 6th grader trying to read a book that goes into the theoretical  details of quantum theory. 

DrFrank124c, I want to maximize the use of the chess engine. My rating is secondary, as it seems pointless getting a chess computer and not using its full function, which is really where it excells, otherwise your horizon is quite low.

If the absolute maximum performance for analysis is your top priority, I wouldn't consider a Mac at this point as the available software options are not as great. Get the fastest i7 Wintel computer you can and enjoy.

Stockfish is available natively for the Mac but not Houdini. And the interfaces that I believe are best for analysis (Fritz and Aquarium) are Windows-only.

Mind you- you can get the same level of analysis using parallels but it will require more processing time. Given equal time, the analysis will be the same 99% of the time (just a guess). And the 1% won't necessarily be faulty, just not as precise.

So after shelling out money for a top notch computer, and engine, and running a game through the engine...the engine is gong to tell you that at some point your were winning by .7 pawns.  What does that mean?

It means you had an advantage, but not a decisive advantage.  

The Shredder interface interprets +.70 to mean you are "slightly better."  FWIW

Obviously, but what is it about a position that means you have an advantage?  if you cant figure out what it is about the position, that gives you an advantage, a chess engine isnt much good.  I only bring this up because i see so many posts about what the engine said, but when you ask, that person what it means they have no idea.

Wow, that sounds like fun!