Enlighten Me: Single vs Dual vs Quad Core Processor

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I am on a learning kick again, and this time it is about computer processors and how to judge them. What is the difference in how a single, dual, triple or quad core processor is rated? If I have a 1.73gb dual core processor, does that make it two 1.73gb processors, or a single processor that is 1.73gb? Is a dual core 1.73gb processor faster than a single core 1.73gb processor, or are they the same but with different architecture? I tried to Google this, but I found no simple answer without needing a dictionary of techie speak (unfortunately, mine is on back order...lol).

 

[phaZe]

Basically, a dual core is two processors, a quad core is four processors.

 

[GP403]

what he said basically, and raw GHz numbers don't mean what they used to, either. Think of that number as a "max rpm" or something, but the newer chips can actually do more at lower speeds than the older ones. A 1.8Ghz P4 of 5 yrs ago isn't anything close to a new 1.8Ghz chip, or the motherboard its connected to.

Just like the old PPC Macs ran at a lower clock speed but were just as capable... 8k RPM Ferrari vs. a 4k RPM 427BBC........ which are you going to drive :evil:

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

8k RPM Ferrari vs. a 4k RPM 427BBC........ which are you going to drive :evil:

Which Ferrari? Aw hell, I'll take the Ferrari because it is more likely to get me a hot chick than an old Chevy! :lol:

 

[sui_winbolo]

I am on a learning kick again, and this time it is about computer processors and how to judge them. What is the difference in how a single, dual, triple or quad core processor is rated? If I have a 1.73gb dual core processor, does that make it two 1.73gb processors, or a single processor that is 1.73gb? Is a dual core 1.73gb processor faster than a single core 1.73gb processor, or are they the same but with different architecture? I tried to Google this, but I found no simple answer without needing a dictionary of techie speak (unfortunately, mine is on back order...lol).

Mmkay, a dual core processor means there's two cores on a single printed circuit board (or PCB) The chip and it's cores is called a Central Processing Unit. CPU, or processor.

a 2.0GHz (gigahertz) Dual Core Processor (or CPU) has two separate cores that either act separately or together and "load balance". They BOTH run at 2.0GHz. How they act is dependent upon the operating system / software.

Windows XP doesn't handle multi-core processors as well as Vista or any other upcoming OS will, because Windows XP came before multi-core processors became popular in personal computers. A lot of performance is yet to come when software developers learn how to build their software and make it more efficient around a multi-core processor.

The Gigahertz race is essentially over, that's why you're seeing a decrease in Gigahertz speeds from a couple years back. You're going to see an increase speed still, but now throw in multiple cores.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Ok, I run Vista, so I guess it's good for the Pentium Dual Core in mine then, and that each has a 1.73GHz processing speed for a combined potential of 3.44GHz. I was just curious because I argued this with a friend back when I got it and he said it was not as fast as a 3.44GHz single core would be.

 

[sui_winbolo]

Well when comparing processors you have to look at more then GHz also.

You have L1 cache, L2 cache, L3 cache, Front Side Bus (FSB) speed, etc.

So it really depends on what you're comparing.

The numbers will show in benchmarks, probably not so much in a real world environment.

Here's what seems is a pretty good article about dual core performance.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/single,1165.html

But the thing is software isn't quite there to make the most potential out of multi-cores. You have to realize this is a huge change for personal computing, the software will be the last to catch up.

A bit off topic:
It's sort of why the idea of a PPU, or physics processing unit didn't really take off. GREAT idea, you buy an addon card for your desktop computer, it controls the physic calculations of a computer game taking a great load off of the CPU. However, very few developers have pushed their games to utilize this new piece of hardware. PPU cards are fairly expensive and new, and I believe is also proprietary to Nvidia. So anyone owning an ATi video card CAN'T use the PPU card. So why on Earth would a game developer want to cut off potentially 50% of the market from being able to run their game?

But the PPU is still around and I think it will go somewhere, software developers will learn how to utilize it better, along with multi-core processors in the consumer market. It just takes time.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I do have another question though: Can I upgrade my processor to one that takes 64 bit Vista? It's a Pentium dual core T2250, with a M socket. According to Intel's site, that number now corresponds to a Core 2 Duo processor. That makes me wonder why the sticker on the machine says one thing and Intel's website says another. Also, Comp USA said I can't put more than 2 gb of RAM in the machine, is this because of the processor, mother board or a combination of the two? I thought 32 bit Vista could use somewhere between 3 and 4 gb of RAM (3.3?) max, not 2. Forgive my basic questions, but I am trying to figure out if I can upgrade my machine cheaper than I can replace it with a better one. (It's a Gateway MX8711 Laptop)

 

[foxtrot]

Why do you need to upgrade your old computer? Are you designing camshafts and heads?

You will need the 64 bit version of windows to utilize more than 3.25 GB of main memory... It should also be noted that some drivers don not have a 64 bit version.

I can't see any real reason to upgrade a home pc past the 3.25 GB mark unless you have some extreme applications such as certain engineering cad tools.

 

[bs009]

The only reason why you wouldn't be able to put more than two gigs of ram in your computer is because of the motherboard. The motherboard has a limit to how much memory it can handle.
If you know the manufacturer and model number of your motherboard, you can go to there site and see exactly what it can handle.