Dual Core Processors & Gaming Performance

[The Doc]

Will games be able to take advantage of both the processors cores? Will a dual core processor have any benefits over a single core processor with regard to gaming performance? What do you guys think?

 

[USMC2Hard4U]

I think that dual core processors will be faster in games, because when running a game, you are doing alot more than just that game, you have the os to run, that game, the sound, your devices, so yeah, i dunno how much more perofrmance you will get, but it wont hurt...

 

[Talonz]

Will games be able to take advantage of both the processors cores? Will a dual core processor have any benefits over a single core processor with regard to gaming performance? What do you guys think?

Unless a game is multi-threaded (very few are, the only major example is quake 3), gaming performance will not increase. However, there may be a slight increase IF you have processor intensive processes running in the background. In other news, you shouldn't have programs that eat too many CPU cycles in the background anyway.

Dual core processors will simply result in a smoother computing experience. You can multi-task better, but actual performance in a single program running alone will not increase. For more info, check out the SMP forum here.

 

[zA.Gosu]

Until 2008, when dual core becomes mainstream, devs just wont code for multi procs. It's just a bad use of resources.

 

[TheMostWantedPolishTwin]

Unless a game is multi-threaded (very few are, the only major example is quake 3), gaming performance will not increase. However, there may be a slight increase IF you have processor intensive processes running in the background. In other news, you shouldn't have programs that eat too many CPU cycles in the background anyway.

Dual core processors will simply result in a smoother computing experience. You can multi-task better, but actual performance in a single program running alone will not increase. For more info, check out the SMP forum here.

true.. true..
heh.. I remember rumours about Q3 requiring 2 CPUs..

 

[MartinX]

true.. true..
heh.. I remember rumours about Q3 requiring 2 CPUs..

I think it's only the Q3 server that can use two cores, not the client (I think UT can do that too).

Overall, just like 64bit, it won't be properly supported until it's ubiquitous, which won't be for a while yet (I mean, even with 64-bit, it'll probabably be 12-18months AFTER the final release of the 64-bit windows client before proper 64-bit games hit).

A speculative rule I fly by in such matters is "When Dell is shipping it for under $1000".

 

[Steel Chicken]

For games, not really. Until they start coding multi threaded games (yeah I know its hard, but they need to start thinking this way now)

 

[Whatsisname]

that was correct in 98 or 2000 perhaps, but not so much now. Many games use numerous threads even if the designers didn't plan on it. DirectX will usually spawn new threads for its subsystems (video, sound, etc) and if they are used heavily multiple processors will help.

Unless a game is multi-threaded (very few are, the only major example is quake 3), gaming performance will not increase. However, there may be a slight increase IF you have processor intensive processes running in the background. In other news, you shouldn't have programs that eat too many CPU cycles in the background anyway.

Dual core processors will simply result in a smoother computing experience. You can multi-task better, but actual performance in a single program running alone will not increase. For more info, check out the SMP forum here.