Dual Core Computer Processors: Luxury or Necessity?

Vikingod · Sep 21, 2005, 07:17 PM

Most of the talk going on in the computer processor industry is revolving around dual core processors. But what advantages do they actually give and is it worth it in terms of price?

All processors have a core. A processor contains some memory, often referred to as cache, either L1, L2 or L3, depending on how close it is to the core, the core itself, and a few other essentials. The core is the "brain" part, it performs all the big calculations that are needed for the various things a computer does.
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The_Neon_Cowboy · Sep 21, 2005, 07:24 PM

Now? - Luxury
1 year from now? - Necessity

Sandok · Sep 21, 2005, 07:27 PM

Agreed

twoodcc · Sep 21, 2005, 08:14 PM

i also agree. but if i was going to buy a new computer, i'd get dual core

nForcer · Sep 21, 2005, 08:46 PM

I'm certainly loving mine!

Shuttle SD31P w/ Intel 820 (2.8GHz)

Not quite as fast as my 530 (3.0GHz) but certainly fast enough!
Not to mention multi-thread benchmarks are astounding! (and its not even a dualcore HT chip!)

Essence · Sep 21, 2005, 08:59 PM

I'm not made of money! I'm happy with what I have!

Matth · Sep 22, 2005, 04:54 PM

The burning question is how long it will take before the availability of two CPU cores is actually translated into something approaching twice the single core performance?

If anything, the rather sudden emergence of dual core would seem to be an admission that there is not much more performance to be had from single core, though for Intel, it is a logical step forward from hyperthreading ... where HT provided some advantage, dual core will provide more.

One thing that requires no software changes to benefit, is the use of two CPU intensive applications at once, or even trying to carry out other tasks concurrently with a single CPU intensive application, though the less demanding case is probably served almost as well by hyperthreading.

One thing is certain, at the moment, it is likely that some people will find that dual core is completely wasted on the applications they use.

twoodcc · Sep 22, 2005, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matth

The burning question is how long it will take before the availability of two CPU cores is actually translated into something approaching twice the single core performance?

If anything, the rather sudden emergence of dual core would seem to be an admission that there is not much more performance to be had from single core, though for Intel, it is a logical step forward from hyperthreading ... where HT provided some advantage, dual core will provide more.

One thing that requires no software changes to benefit, is the use of two CPU intensive applications at once, or even trying to carry out other tasks concurrently with a single CPU intensive application, though the less demanding case is probably served almost as well by hyperthreading.

One thing is certain, at the moment, it is likely that some people will find that dual core is completely wasted on the applications they use.

so are you saying that with a dual core machine, it's acting like a single-core on most applications?

nForcer · Sep 22, 2005, 10:26 PM

If the program was written as a single-threadded application, then it will only be executed on a single processor - despite what the graphs might show in Windows TaskManager.

However, certain programs, like those from Adobe, that are written for multi-threadding, will utilize all available processors (virtual and physical in case of HT chips) and cut processing times in half or more!

Matth · Sep 23, 2005, 04:34 PM

Precisely!

A single threaded application will end up being sheduled 50% of the time on each CPU core, or each logical unit of a hyperthreading CPU. This causes a particular problem with Intel EIST (on my P4 640) where a maxed-out single thread will not raise the perfomance level under Windows power management - cured by using RMCLOCK instead, which is able to raise the P-state appropriately underv those conditions.

Whare an application is not coded to make use of more than one execution thread, all dual core or hyperthreading can contribute is the running of background tasks and other applications with minimal interference.

Windows Xp works well with hyperthreading for this reason.

The_Neon_Cowboy · Sep 23, 2005, 05:44 PM

ew games engines support it a good example is the unreal 3 engine

Sep 21, 2005, 07:17 PM	#1
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,187 Rep Power: 109 System Specs	Dual Core Computer Processors: Luxury or Necessity? Most of the talk going on in the computer processor industry is revolving around dual core processors. But what advantages do they actually give and is it worth it in terms of price? All processors have a core. A processor contains some memory, often referred to as cache, either L1, L2 or L3, depending on how close it is to the core, the core itself, and a few other essentials. The core is the "brain" part, it performs all the big calculations that are needed for the various things a computer does. __________ Read More / Source: Bona Fide Reviews __________________ *How You Can Help DriverHeaven By Using Digg*

Sep 21, 2005, 07:24 PM	#2
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 90 System Specs	Now? - Luxury 1 year from now? - Necessity __________________

Sep 21, 2005, 08:59 PM	#6
Essence DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 78 Rep Power: 0	I'm not made of money! I'm happy with what I have! __________________ [color=Red][color=White][color=White][/color][/color][/color][color=Red][color=RoyalBlue][color=White][color=DeepSkyBlue][color=White][color=DeepSkyBlue][color=White] [/color][/color][/color] [/color][/color][/color][/color]

Sep 23, 2005, 05:44 PM	#11
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 90 System Specs	ew games engines support it a good example is the unreal 3 engine __________________

Sep 21, 2005, 07:27 PM	#3
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 66	Agreed

Sep 21, 2005, 08:14 PM	#4
twoodcc DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 143 Rep Power: 0	i also agree. but if i was going to buy a new computer, i'd get dual core

Sep 21, 2005, 08:46 PM	#5
nForcer Twice the fun! Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,404 Rep Power: 0	I'm certainly loving mine! Shuttle SD31P w/ Intel 820 (2.8GHz) Not quite as fast as my 530 (3.0GHz) but certainly fast enough! Not to mention multi-thread benchmarks are astounding! (and its not even a dualcore HT chip!)

Sep 22, 2005, 04:54 PM	#7
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,411 Rep Power: 91 System Specs	The burning question is how long it will take before the availability of two CPU cores is actually translated into something approaching twice the single core performance? If anything, the rather sudden emergence of dual core would seem to be an admission that there is not much more performance to be had from single core, though for Intel, it is a logical step forward from hyperthreading ... where HT provided some advantage, dual core will provide more. One thing that requires no software changes to benefit, is the use of two CPU intensive applications at once, or even trying to carry out other tasks concurrently with a single CPU intensive application, though the less demanding case is probably served almost as well by hyperthreading. One thing is certain, at the moment, it is likely that some people will find that dual core is completely wasted on the applications they use.

Sep 22, 2005, 10:26 PM	#9
nForcer Twice the fun! Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,404 Rep Power: 0	If the program was written as a single-threadded application, then it will only be executed on a single processor - despite what the graphs might show in Windows TaskManager. However, certain programs, like those from Adobe, that are written for multi-threadding, will utilize all available processors (virtual and physical in case of HT chips) and cut processing times in half or more!

Sep 23, 2005, 04:34 PM	#10
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,411 Rep Power: 91 System Specs	Precisely! A single threaded application will end up being sheduled 50% of the time on each CPU core, or each logical unit of a hyperthreading CPU. This causes a particular problem with Intel EIST (on my P4 640) where a maxed-out single thread will not raise the perfomance level under Windows power management - cured by using RMCLOCK instead, which is able to raise the P-state appropriately underv those conditions. Whare an application is not coded to make use of more than one execution thread, all dual core or hyperthreading can contribute is the running of background tasks and other applications with minimal interference. Windows Xp works well with hyperthreading for this reason.