how big of a difference does multiple cores make?

Y

Yon o shon

New Member
Im just lookin for a clean cut answer or a general rule of thumb

is 2 cores running at 2ghz as good as 1 core at 4ghz ?
or 4 cores running at 1ghz?

should i just multiply the number of cores by the ghz? or is it more of a 50% increase per core
 
No that wouldn't be the way it works.
Lets say, you have a Quad core CPU, clocked at 3Ghz.
That mean each core is clocked at 3Ghz. Meaning:
Core #0 = 3Ghz
Core #1 = 3Ghz
Core #2 = 3Ghz
Core #3 = 3Ghz
But this does not mean that 4 cores x 3Ghz = 12Ghz, it just means that each cores runs separately at 3Ghz each, but is way more efficient than a Duo or single core CPU. It's confusing..
Multiprocessing is what it's called.
 
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i understand and have become more confused.

so it doesnt process faster just more effeciantly?(the concept of which is still confusing)

wat would be better for gaming

2ghz quad core or 3.2 ghz dual core?
 
Yon o shon said:
so it doesnt process faster just more effeciantly?(the concept of which is still confusing)

wat would be better for gaming
Click to expand...

Both faster and more efficient,

Better for gaming is debatable - currently 3 cores is the sweet spot for improved gaming performance at the CPU - but video card will be more important. But to future proof - unless you're doing a budget build - I'd go with a quad core for a gaming build today as more future games will be coded to utilize more 3 and 4 cores more efficiently. ( some games utilize the CPU more than others )

I would suggest 2 cores at a minimum for a build today. If you can afford it - go with a quad core for a little more performance lifespan of your CPU.

wat would be better for gaming

2ghz quad core or 3.2 ghz dual core?
Click to expand...

I'd probably lean toward the 3.2 ghz dual core b/c it's more recent technology based on the 3.2 ghz - but I'd let others confirm that before taking that assertion to the bank - I'm still fairly new at the PC tech and have a nice learning curve I'm trying to come up to speed on.
 
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