Dual core - do apps really utilize this today?

[Whipsmack]

Most importantly, how efficient is it when it comes to multitasking? Is it like having 2 processors?

Thanks

 

[Danith]

Most importantly, how efficient is it when it comes to multitasking? Is it like having 2 processors?

Thanks

Umm.. I believe it's excatly like having 2 processors (dual core means it has 2 cpu cores in a single... package?) with my 805D, I've noticed windows seems smoother, and alt-tabbing is faster then before, which is a huge benefit for me as I'm always doing multiple things as I play a game . Also I have no problem burning or encoding things and also playing like Titan Quest..

 

[Eva_Unit_0]

It is identical to having two processors. As far as programs are concerned there is absolutely no difference between a dual core and a real dual cpu box. The only difference is where the cores are located. (ok, if you want to get technical there are some differences in the memory subsystems, like how dual opteron systems can use NUMA but a single dual-core opty can't. But it's not a big deal).

 

[gwai lo]

Most applications aren't SMP, but those that are should be able to take advantage of both cores just fine.

..and yeah. The concept of the dual core is two cores on a single die. On "regular" processors, it's one core per die..therefore two processors is just two cores separate cores really. Obviously there are other little differences if you want to be technical, cache depending on which chip(s) we're talking about, etc etc..but yeah. Dual cores = dual processor.

edit: hmm...bit slow

 

[Whipsmack]

So if I get a super cheap dual core like the 2.66GHz one, it would be able to handle 5Ghz +? I love to two box in video games, or if possible 3 boxing lol. Man there are so many processors on the market this is really confusing.

 

[Whipsmack]

Huwaa I just saw a socket 478 dual core, maybe I should just get that instead of buying a new computer.

 

[Whipsmack]

Can you explain why the

Intel Pentium D 805 Smithfield 533MHz FSB 2 x 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Dual Core,EM64T Processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116001

Is so much cheaper but has higher GHZ then this?



Intel Core Duo T2300 Yonah 667MHz FSB 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket 478 Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819111180

Which is $245

So confused

 

[brucedeluxe169]

If you want dual core, get a LGA 775 or Socket 939/AM2

hmmm what else.....

from everything I've seen, dual core is the way to go nowadays.... typical PC use makes very good use of two cores.... it just seems to be the current sweet spot...

 

[brucedeluxe169]

Can you explain why the

Intel Pentium D 805 Smithfield 533MHz FSB 2 x 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Dual Core,EM64T Processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116001

Is so much cheaper but has higher GHZ then this?



Intel Core Duo T2300 Yonah 667MHz FSB 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket 478 Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819111180

Which is $245

So confused

The socket 478 CPU u listed is a mobile CPU based on a better core... hence, it is more expensive.....

Get the 805, it is a good desktop processor, and you wont have to worry about buying a Yonah capable motherboard.....

 

[ElMoIsEviL]

Huwaa I just saw a socket 478 dual core, maybe I should just get that instead of buying a new computer.

socket 478 dual core?

I didn't think they existed. you sure it's not HT (Hyperthreading) ?

 

[Whipsmack]

The socket 478 was a mobile, yikes...

Umm whats the deal with AMD being way more expensive and LESS Ghz...like a $300 processor and it only has 2.2Ghz, while the INTEL has 2.66Ghz and is $115...?

 

[gwai lo]

Architectural differences. This chip does more per clock than this chip. Therefore, that chip has to clock way higher to make up for it.

...so much to explain....ugghh..I don't know where to start..

edit: yeah..i seriously don't know where to start

edit2: Okay, let's just leave it at efficiency. Yeah?

 

[Fuser]

Most importantly, how efficient is it when it comes to multitasking? Is it like having 2 processors?

Thanks

It really depends on if the application is multi-threaded or not. With a dual core system one core can be handling most of the operating system processes while another core is handling a single threaded application. This will definatly give you a feel of a faster and more responsive system (A personal example was the feeling of playing windowed EQ1 on a XP1800+ then moving to a P4 with HT. With the HyperThreading it would allow for system processes and other applications to to continue sending instructions down the processor pipeline allowing a web browser and everquest to function near full speed vrs the "switching" or latency between the two threads)[1].

Over the past few years more applications have been built from the ground up with threading in mind to allow the usage of multi-core systems. But even today if you look at say intel's compiler[2] it will look at code and try to thread as much as possible even if the application wasn't designed this way. You will notice the same with libraries such as .NET which is designed to be very simple threaded building blocks[3].

One of the features of Vista that kinda made me smile was the total redesign of the networking stack to allow for threading[4], ah my fileserver will be happy.

1 - http://arstechnica.com/articles/pae...threading.ars/3
2 - http://intel.com/cd/software/produc.../279578.htm#mas
3 - http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d...onThreading.asp
4 - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/co...cg0905.mspx#ELB

 

[Whipsmack]

Thanks all for the replies, i've been out of the loop for 3 years now and am really overwhelmed, so much so I don't even want to build my computers anymore, i'll just buy one from dell I think.