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Dual Core? Quad Core?

monkeywrench133

monkeywrench133

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I'm thinking about getting a new computer, and the whole dual/quad core thing is completely new to me. I understand the terms dual and quad refer to the number of processing cores on the chip. What I'm fuzzy on is the stated processor speeds. For example, dell offers a desktop with an intel dual core with a speed of 1.8 gigs. Does that 1.8 gigs mean EACH core? or both of them put together?

Another way to put it would be, is the stated speed multiplied by the number of cores to give a cummulative total speed?

Also, IF a duo core @ 1.8 gigs has a total speed of 3.6 gigs, what is the advantage over a single core chip at 3.6 gigs?

Thanks for you help everyone!
 
The speed measurement in GHz is for each processor core on the die.

A 1.8 GHz dual core is NOT the equivalent of a 3.6 GHz processor. There are several factors involved here that, frankly, I am too lazy to type out. The core duo processors process data a bit differently than the the Pentium IVs did. It does not take as much raw speed to do the same amount of work because of this.

Where the multicore processors or multi processor PCs begin to really shine is in applications that are written to utilize them (e.g. Photoshop, some video rendering applications, etc.) Another area that allows them room to stand out is when you run several processor intensive applications simultaneously. The work load is divided up between each processor or core.

This article explains it better than I could:

http://icrontic.com/articles/dual_core

You can also search for articles explaining SMP or comparing dual core CPUs to single core CPUs.

All that said, it really depends on what you do with your PC as to whether you will get the full benefit from multicore processors.
 
Thank You! I'll check out that link. But just from what you've said, a dual or quad may be the way for me to go. Often I'll have IE with four tabs open, photoshop, Outlook, ITunes, and Word, or Publisher all open and running at the same time. Or at least trying to!
 
My info might be kind of old, but when I was looking for a new system back in November, I was told that none of the software out there (pre-Vista) could take advantage of the quad core processors at that time. The multi-threading capability has to be written into the operating system.

So you may want to check into this before you spring for that system.

I've got a free upgrade disk for Vista Business sitting on my desk, but I'm scared to death to try to install if as an upgrade for my Windows XP on my new box. I know darn right well it will wipe out all that software I have already installed on XP, or else render some of them useless.

And I'm not really sure Vista is stable yet, nor offering me enough incentive to even try installing it...
 
XP Pro only supports 2 processors, but will see the additional cores, if memory serves. Microsoft licensing is by processor or socket and not by core. My sales manager and I had to get them on the phone to verify. I am not as sure what Vista will and will not support though.
 
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