dual core vs single core?????

Question

what is the difference between dual core and single core? i know that dual core is more efficient for multitasking but thats the only difference i have found.

for example, will a amd athlon 64 X2 2.2 ghz operate the same as a amd athlon 64 2.2 ghz processor when NOT multitasking?

also with intel, will a intel core 2 duo 2.2 ghz operate the same as a intel celeron 2.2ghz?

i want to know if dual core processors will operate twice as fast or the same.

also, i was reading some system requirements and i saw something that says "intel core 2 duo 2.2ghz or amd equivalent"

what is the amd equivalent of a intel core 2 duo 2.2ghz? is it the same?

i already know that dual cores are actually 2 separate processors working together. thats why they call it dual core XD

Answer 1

Well before I even actually answer the question, I have to clear something up since both of the first answers mentioned it, a 64 bit OS has absolutely nothing to do with it, so just put that out of your head right now, no clue what they were babbling about.

Now to answer the question, there is more benefit then just when you are multitasking. If you do a Ctrl+Alt+Del, you will see that you right now probably have at least 40 processes running in the background, as you do all the time. So in reality, you are always multitasking, even if you look like you are only doing one thing. For this reason, a dual core will always outperform a single core at the same speed

Beyond that, a lot of programs are multithreaded, meaning they have the ability to use both cores at the same time, which quite obviously gives a huge performance gain over a sinlge core. Video editing/encoding programs usually do this, as do some other types as well. As for twice as fast, you will almost never actually get to the point where it is twice as fast, but the dual core will be faster.

As for Core 2 Duo 2.2Ghz equivalent, that would be something of an estimation, but I would say the 5600+ would be about equivalent to a 2.2Ghz Core 2 Duo.

Answer 2

Not a real easy answer. But I have built both an AMD 64 at 2.2 and an AMD x2 I am running Windows XP 64 bit and I did run Bench marking test on both The X2 blew away the single core in some ways more the 4 times the speed of operations however two key points only 64 bit OS and software really use the power ( 32 bit is still faster then a single core) second is the video card needs to be able to use the 64bit OS as well. And yes the AMD is the equivalent of the intel.
Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Dual cores actually have two processors working in tandem. Most 32-bit programs (on their own) don't take advantage of this. 64-bit programs do take advantage of it.

Dual cores are much better, and are getting cheaper all the time.