Explain Dual Core Technology to me? If it's a dual CPU @ say, 2 Ghrz, does that mean it's 4.0 total?

Question

I'm trying to buy a new desktop, and I want to get a decent amount of CPU speed that won't be outdated tomorrow. Right now my laptop is running out of speed to play the new games I am hankering for, so I am researching.

Answer 1

If its a dual core processor, it means that the cache is doubled not the processing speed. If you have a better cache you have better multitasking abitlities.

Answer 2

No. 2GHz+2GHz doesn't equal 4GHz.

Its a Total of 2GHz with the combined ability of approx 3GHz.

Read the processor info. a 2GHz processor with real dual core (NOT HYPERTHREADING - this is a fake dual core - AMD X2/FX/Opteron are true dual cores and Intel Duo is a dual core)

Also note. You will never see the performance of a dual core until software developers write programs that use (multi-threaded processing. Windows doesnt so that will never improve. Vista will but will require an update/patch to do that.

Taken from AMD FAQ

Since frequency alone is not an accurate measure of performance, AMD model numbers are a simple, accurate representation of relative AMD processor performance based on industry-standard software benchmarks. The higher the model number, the better the overall software performance running on the processor. The “+” at the end of each model number indicates the added performance benefits delivered by the innovative AMD64 architecture, such as an integrated memory controller and HyperTransport technology. These two factors alone account for a significant improvement in performance.

Answer 3

Take it from someone who owns a dual core processor. You will see some performance gain over the single core edition of the same chip. Granted most applications are not specifically optimised to take advantage of the full potential of a multiprocessor machine. However any threaded application can take advantage of it to an extent. A web browser, for example, often starts many threads while rendering a page (Flash objects, Java, scripts, and other active content have threads of their own).

In all likelihood, applications which are optimized for multiprocessor environments are going to become more common as the technology becomes more popular.

Pay some attention to the clock frequency of a processor but know that clock frequency can be misleading when comparing chips from a different manufactures and even different processor lines from the same manufacture. For example many AMD processors outperform Intel chips which run at a higher clock frequency (in GHz).

Read lots of reviews both from customers and from Magazines. Tom's Hardware does a great job at comparing two competing products. Specifically:

http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.html

Select two processors you wish to compare. Pay attention to the notes at the bottom of graphs to understand what they mean. i.e. "Lower is better" or "Higher is better"

Answer 4

4 is purely more beneficial effectual than 2 in case you should use the 4. it truly is like the version between a small vehicle and an entire-sized pickup. The pickup is more beneficial effectual once you're loading it up with a pair much oftentimes, yet when your load by no ability exceeds a pair hundred kilos, the small vehicle might want to do a lot more beneficial effectual because it handles more beneficial effectual, is more beneficial gasoline effective, and has more beneficial effectual acceleration. before, we had unmarried cores chips because computers purely did one element at a time. at the moment, computers do quite some issues straight away, so having 2 cores gave a huge improve in performance. question is - do you ever run sufficient issues to fairly employ 4 cores? in spite of everything, once you're playing a sport - you purely want 2 cores - one to run the operating equipment and the different to run the game. with the aid of way at present's video games artwork, you won't be able to get them to exploit more beneficial than one center. Rendering animations and video clips in spite of the reality that - the third and fourth center can actual are available in accessible. It only relies upon on no matter if you're doing it sufficient to justify the prices of both more beneficial cores.

Answer 5

No a 2 ghz dual core is still a 2ghz.. You are confusing clock speed, the rate of cycles per second with operations per cycle. A dual core system means you have 2 processors on one chip which allows twice as many operations per cycle, but the same number of cycles per second. Think of it this way clock cycles are like how fast your packing peanuts in a bag.. increase the cycles per second or clock speed and you pack peanuts in the bag faster. Add an additional pair of hands, i.e. a dual core, and you can pack twice as many peanuts in the same time..

My recommendation look into the AMD dual core chips.. they are less expensive and will provide better band for the buck.

Anyone have a peanut..

Answer 6

From the Horses Mouth: Intel:

Delivering the best overall performance. Period.
Up to 40 percent faster than previous generation desktop processors¹ the Intel Core 2 Duo desktop processor provides unrivaled performance for all your desktop computing needs. With the latest arsenal of performance-rich technologies, including up to 4MB of shared L2 cache, and up to 1066 MHz Front Side Bus, you've got the future of computing now, and only from Intel:

Intel® Wide Dynamic Execution, enabling delivery of more instructions per clock cycle to improve execution time and energy efficiency

Intel® Intelligent Power Capability, designed to deliver more energy-efficient performance

Intel® Smart Memory Access, improving system performance by optimizing the use of the available data bandwidth

Intel® Advanced Smart Cache, providing a higher-performance, more efficient cache subsystem. Optimized for multi-core and dual-core processors

Intel® Advanced Digital Media Boost, accelerating a broad range of applications, including video, speech and image, photo processing, encryption, financial, engineering and scientific applications

Big, big performance. More energy efficient¹. Now available in smaller packages.
The Intel Core 2 Duo processor-based desktop PC was designed from the ground up for energy efficiency, letting you enjoy higher performing, ultra-quiet, sleek, and low power desktop PC designs.

Multitask with reckless abandon.
Do more at the same time, like playing your favorite music, running virus scan in the background, and all while you edit video or pictures. The powerful Intel Core 2 Duo desktop processor PCs provides you with the speed you need to perform any and all tasks imaginable.

Answer 7

http://pcworld.com/article/id,120915-page,1/article.html