Query about duo/quad cores

J

JDawg

New Member
Ok, I don't know the first thing about cpus, so here's my query.

Is having a duo core processor the same as having a single processor with a doubled frequency, for example is a 2GHz duo core processor the same as a 4GHz processor? If it isn't then what is it the evilavent of? I ask because I'm trying to buy a decent gaming/general desktop on a fairly restrictive budget.
 
No, you dont add them together,what they do is share the load so you can multitask better.two cores or four working together when running multiple task is so much better . :D
 
Not quite, most programs atm still don't make use of more than 1 processor, so a single core (with the same architecture) that has a higher frequency will load something faster than a dual core with lower frequency.

eg.

single core 3.0ghz pentium 4, vs dual core 2.4ghz pentium D(pretty much a 2 P4's straped together). the P4 will load a single program faster, but the Pentium D will load muiltyple programs fast.. (not 100% on actual performance but thats the idea)
 
curtains said:
Not quite, most programs atm still don't make use of more than 1 processor, so a single core (with the same architecture) that has a higher frequency will load something faster than a dual core with lower frequency.

eg.

single core 3.0ghz pentium 4, vs dual core 2.4ghz pentium D(pretty much a 2 P4's straped together). the P4 will load a single program faster, but the Pentium D will load muiltyple programs fast.. (not 100% on actual performance but thats the idea)
Click to expand...

now adays most programs can use 2 cores so that example would have to be between a triple and a quad, or a dual and triple/quad
 
curtains said:
Not quite, most programs atm still don't make use of more than 1 processor, so a single core (with the same architecture) that has a higher frequency will load something faster than a dual core with lower frequency.
Click to expand...

It is difficult to compare many processors by simply comparing clock speeds. Processors with newer technology can perform more calculations per clock cycle than older central processing units.

An example of this is an Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 (2.53 gigahertz) processor versus an Intel Pentium D Processor 925 (3.0 gigahertz) processor. The E7200 is a much faster processor than the Pentium D 925. The Core 2 Duo E7200 would beat Pentium D 925 (or any Pentium 4 processor) running most software. This is because the E7200 processor can perform more calculations per clock cycle over any Pentium D or Pentium 4 central processing unit.

Also, dual-core processors are used by a lot of software today. If a program is only written to run off a single-core, one core will run the program and the other core will run the operating system. Single-core processors have no advantage over dual-cores in my judgment.
 
Back to the original inquiry by JDawg, I would say look for a processor that is from the following series of processors:

1) AMD Phenom II
2) Intel Core 2 Quad
3) Intel i7
 
Go for a quad if your looking to upgrade or install newer programs. Over the next few years more and more programs are going to come out that utilize all four cores. I've been told though that the Core 2 duo's still make a better gaming system at the moment.
 
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