Having a dual core processor unproductive with my current system?

2048Megabytes

2048Megabytes

Active Member
Is having a dual core (or quad core) processor unproductive if you have Windows XP 32-bit? From what I understand with dual core, a program or an operating system has to be threaded in order for a dual core processor to be utilized.

So if a dual core is being used with Windows XP 32-bit operating system when running multiple programs, will the second core also be utilized? Or will all the programs and operating system run only on one core and the second core just sit idling?

I do know the most recent video games utilize dual core. But I do not play any of the most recent video games. I mostly play the older Super Nintendo games on an emulater and some other video games. I am wondering if in using current operating system if a dual core would even be utilized at all since I do not plan on touching Windows Vista for a few more years.
 
32bit or 64bit doesn't matter as far as dual core goes. It is the same for both.
If you run more the one program at a time then both cores get utilized. Each core can only process one thread at a time, so if you have multicores then it can handle multi-threads; either as multiple programs or a program that has been written to be multi-threaded and can thus utilizes both cores.
 
Why do you want an opteron processor? They are only good for server applications and virtualization. Also, socket 939 is outdated and is going obsolete.
Are you just looking for a dual core cpu? If so there are many available for that price range. AMD has some good dual core processors known as the Athlon X2 series.
 
It'll be productive, but only if the game/application can utilize all 2 cores. Take BF2/COD2 or whatever game for instance. They can't use all 4 cores like HL2 can. Thus, the E6850 would score better than a Q6600 due to the non support for the cores.
 
Motoxrdude said:
Why do you want an opteron processor? They are only good for server applications and virtualization. Also, socket 939 is outdated and is going obsolete.
Are you just looking for a dual core cpu? If so there are many available for that price range. AMD has some good dual core processors known as the Athlon X2 series.
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Thanks for the advice. I will look for a Socket 939 AMD Athlon 4800 X 2 processor when I want to upgrade my processor. Since I don't want to buy new RAM and a new motherboard I figure it would be cheaper going with an AMD Athlon 4800 X 2.
 
Wow! I have been looking at the prices on Dual Core Socket 939 processors. I can't find a decent price on the AMD Athlon 4600 or 4800. I might as well go with a new motherboard and processor with the price I would have to dish out. Socket 939 processors are going out.

Socket AM2 processors seem like they are the way to go.
 
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