Dual Core processor

I've seen on computer sales sites combo deals which include a motherboard and the option of buying, let's say, a 2.5Ghz dual core processor. My questions for this is:
1. I have a single core right now running at 3.2Ghz. Will the 2.5Ghz dual core run faster?
2. Will a 2.5 Ghz dual core run as though it's a 5Ghz? (2.5x2=5)

I want to upgrade because my present board only supports AGP and I want to get a PCI-e card to get better frame rates while playing games.

Please give me the layman's explanation of dual core and even possibly quad core (twice as good as dual core?) I understand enough to know that a dual core is basically two processors, but is it two 2.5 processors? And do they run together to run CPU hungry applications?

My friend, you are looking for a simple answer to a complex issue.

At best, dual/quad core processors do not mean doubling or quadrupling the speeds of the processors. What makes the multi-core technology better is the abillty of each core to operate independently of the other(s) in hyper-threading applications.

Generally speaking, each core on a quad core processor (for example)does not multiply the processor speed equally (i.e. 2.5 Ghz X 4 =10 Ghz). However, if you take a single core processor running at 3.2 Ghz and match it against a dual core at 2.5 Ghz, in some applications the single core will out-perform the dual core, but in other applications, the preformance level will be reversed.

For the "run of the mill" cpu operations, internet/e-mail/office suite/etc., higher Ghz single core processors win out-perform any similarly rated mutli-core processor. Where the multi-core processor really shine is in the multi-tasking areas such as graphics, heavy cpu operations (line-coding), and other cpu operations where the hyper-threading abilities can be used.

To make matters even more confusing, the older AGP cards used part of the processor operations to render the video graphics. Newer machines today have taken that part of the processor usage and turned it over to the GPU on the video cards, leaving the processor to run the other operations that are not video dependent.

Thus, newer gaming machines processors are usually mult-core and have video GPU now.

Here's Broadberry's attempt to explain the multi-core processing:

(http://www.broadberry.com/technology_definitions/multi-core_technology.html)

Multi-Core Technology

Multi-core processors represent a major evolution in computing technology. Placing two or more powerful computing cores on a single processor opens up a world of important new possibilities. Learn about the evolution of multi-core technology and its advantages.

The Evolution of Multi-Core Technology

With the introduction of the first computer came market demands for more computing capacity. Symmetrical multi-processing (SMP) has long been a technology used to increase computing performance and efficiency by spreading computing loads across multiple processors. SMP is especially effective in multi-threaded environments where many tasks (threads) need to be handled simultaneously.

As application performance demands grow, processor designers are facing the issue that it takes more power to drive more computing capability. More power means that dissipation levels also need to be managed. Add to this the demands of the industry for computers to become smaller – more servers in a rack, thin and lighter laptops, and smaller footprint for a desktop system. Multi-core processing will help address these computing challenges. This evolution in technology will allow for increased performance and higher productivity in smaller computers that can simultaneously run multiple complex applications and successfully complete more tasks in a shorter amount of time.

The Multi-Core Advantage

In today's digital world the demands of complex 3D simulations, streaming media files, added levels of security, more sophisticated user interfaces, larger databases, and more on-line users are beginning to exceed single-core processor capabilities.

Multi-core processors enable true multitasking. On single-core systems, multitasking can max out CPU utilization, resulting in decreased performance as operations have to wait to be processed. On multi-core systems, since each core has its own cache, the operating system has sufficient resources to handle most compute intensive tasks in parallel.

Multi-core technology can improve system efficiency and application performance for computers running multiple applications at the same time.

Benefits of Multi-Core Technology

Improved system efficiency and application performance for computers running multiple applications

Enhanced performance for multi-threaded applications

Support for more users or tasks for transaction-intensive applications

Superior performance for compute-intensive applications

Simplified overall computing infrastructure requirements helping to save you money

Helps to eliminate thermal and environmental issues

As to the sales mentioned, I would not buy any dual-core set-ups. Older quad-core SLI combos are very affordable.

New Egg has a extremely good combo for less than $500.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.218018

I am happy with my 3.2Ghz cpu in everything but gaming (Left 4 Dead), I can only get up to 30fps with my 7600gs AGP card.

I have a 3.8Ghz cpu Microprocessor sitting unused on my desk. So, if I can find a motherboard that will take that I think I would be happy. My only problem is finding a motherboard that will be compatible with that CPU. I've read that that cpu won't work with the 915 Chipset and I have no idea how they came up with that or how to find what chipset it will work with.

I also have a Asus EAX1900XTX video card w/ 512 MB memory. With that CPU and video card I think I should be doing pretty good and not worry about multicore, right? I just want to play games on higher resolution.

For the 3.8 P4 processor, look for one of these two boards:

Intel 925XE

(http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-925XE-Neo-Platinum-54g-P-N-7053-Socket-775_W0QQitemZ140335228132QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item20aca1a4e4&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

or possibly the Intel D925XECV2

Ya, all what Demon said plus a cookie.
Couldnt have said it better myself.

Just a note, more and more software (Apps and games alike) are being coded in multi-thread language to take advantage of multi-core procs. I'm in the same boat as you. I wont have the funds to upgrade for at least a year if not more (wife gets upgraded first).

So, if you get a 3.0 GHz dual or quad core rig, it will only do as well if not better all around, along with the ability to run PCIe GPUs. Also a note, the Core 2, Quads and Core i7s overclock fairly nicely. So you can save some ching by buying that 2.5 and ramping it up. But these days are a little bit tricky in doing so with the tri-channel ram. They have to be upped together to stay in sync. Of course, this is presuming your going current tech with a Core i7 setup. If so, you can read this:

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/ultimate_core_i7_overclocking_guide_we_push_nehalem_its_limits

If you go with previous gen procs, old techniques still apply.
Just be advised about previous gen hardware. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to find good quality items. When the next gen proc comes out, the old will slowly slip away and all the new stuff of the old gen is made by off beat MFGs who's quality is shaky at best. You still can find Core 2 and Core 2 Quad procs and MoBos fairly easily. But they too will start to become scarce by the end of the year when they are deemed obsolete.

Would THIS work w/ my CPU? It's cheap so I fell like if it get tossed in a year or two I wont feel sad.

In the text it says to check THIS page to determine if it work, but I have no idea on how to read it.

Based on both MSI and Intel information, yes the board should work--however, you have an ATI video card............which I have no experience with since I use strictly Nvidia set-ups with Intel processors.

Flak--what do you think?

Had to do a little legwork, but here'tis:

This mobo will work with both of your procs, or any dual/quads you may pick up in the future (in the core 2 family of course) I have never heard of a family of GPUs from intel not working with it's intended chipset family. I looked here in their comparison list:

http://compare.intel.com/pcc/default.aspx?familyID=10

It does have a descent on-board GPU, but these tend to use a chunk of system memory and other resources a slot based GPU doesn't. ATI isn't a bad GPU maker, they are #2 in the industry. So many others have fallen off or have targeted select markets and let these 2 duke it out. They have had issues with drivers in the past, and my 9800 pro has a intermittent error that pops up only at boot (the wife has that one) but that could be any maker. So for the most part, the quality issue comes down to the OEM and not the GPU maker. I like to read the customer reviews of stuff before I make a choice...and of course, newegg is a great start, even for just reviews.

Of course, this mobo had a nforce chipset. I havnt read any reviews lately on them, but they seem favorable for the OC crowd and was the only option for those seeking SLI, witch wont happen with an ATI card. That would be crossfire and I would suggest 2, 16x PCIe slots for that.

Flak Monkey wrote:

Of course, this mobo had a nforce chipset. I havnt read any reviews lately on them, but they seem favorable for the OC crowd and was the only option for those seeking SLI, witch wont happen with an ATI card. That would be crossfire and I would suggest 2, 16x PCIe slots for that.

That's my concern--Nvidia nforce chipset mixed with an ATI video card.

I don't think it will be a problem, or there would be a lawsuit almost instantly. Best compatibility would be assured if they were both nVidia products, but there really shouldn't be a problem.

I think I'm going to take a chance on that board. I checked Tom's Hardware site and read many questions on if an ATI board will work with a Nvidia chipset and I saw a 100% answer rate that it will as long as I don't attempt to use crossfire or SLI (which I don't).

This gives me hope that my ATI will work too. I only spent $23 on the graphics board so if I have to I'll sell it on Ebay and then look for a Nvidia card.

I'll let you guys know if all works out OK. If it does I'll have only spent a little over $110 for the upgrade. ($39 MB, $30 CPU, $18 memory, $23 ATI. $?? CPU fan)

PIck up a GOOD cpu fan--cost more at startup but will end up saving you money. The Intel processor you have is similiar to my old AMD 3500+ and I had a Zalman 7700 mounted.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118115

Funny you mentioned that... I just ordered a Zalman CNPS9500 AT CPU Cooler yesterday.

I was thinking the fan should last me through a few more upgrades.

Once again, thank you for all your help guys.

FodderFigure wrote:

Funny you mentioned that... I just ordered a Zalman CNPS9500 AT CPU Cooler yesterday.

I was thinking the fan should last me through a few more upgrades.

Once again, thank you for all your help guys.

Lol, that model is what I'm running on my quad core......

I run the Jet4 on my CPU. Looks like a jet engine. Uses the squirrel cage fan rather than the traditional type. But there are better ones and Zalman makes some of the best. To tame this prescott core, I'm thinking liquid cooling, but I cant afford it.

Good luck on the rebuild.