To dual core or not to dual core

[Al]

Ok, if anyone's read my other post regarding my spec, they'll see that my motherboard is out of action, so i've decided on a huge upgrade. However I still can't decide whether to go for a dual or a single core CPU. Dual core may be future proofed, but single cores run faster at the moment...i can't make up my mind! I will be going for AMD no matter what though, had good experience with them, better for games etc.

Any help on this would be great...then i can move on to deciding on my other components!

Al

[RoNDoG]

OK, single core processors may run faster, but it can still only process one task at a time. The dual core processor is basically two cpu's in one and both with its own cache, this allows it to do processing of more than one task at a time (multitasking) - meaning a lot faster than single core processors. Long story short go for a dual core!!!

Hope this helps

Ron

[RoNDoG]

alrage5 said:

I will be going for AMD no matter what though, had good experience with them, better for games etc.

Ok just seen this after I finished the above - I wouldnt say AMD processors are better for games... In the past AMD processors have been know for cheapness (don't think its a word but hey..) and don't know if this is still true for the dual-core ones, but well known for getting very hot - saying that all processors these days are hot. At the end of the day is a personnal choice.

Myself I'm an Intel man - had no problems what so ever. Job has been a good en..

Again I dont know how much help this will be.

Ron

[JoNDoG]

Want my opinion? Though you're gonna get it anyway! Gaming on PCs is about to change again! When the PS3 is released it is gonna kick tits, it will be the new generation of gaming machines! So pc's will have to catch up / stay ahead of the game. In order to do this all games will start using dual core processors.

I would get a dual core if i could afford it and thought i might use it! I don't play pc games! I suppose you could wait for a while until you buy a dual core see how things come on. Like Ron i am a Intel man but got no good reason for it. Never had problems with an AMD!

[fred]

exactly

[Al]

Cheers for the feedback dudes! Having looked at some reviews/benchmarks for the AMD X2 4800+ (the AMD dual core that, if i was going to get a dual core, would be the one i would buy) i can see that it performed superbly even against the AMD FX single core speed beasts. Even, though you intel fanboys won't like this, better than the nearest intel competitor! Anyway, we each have our favourites and each use pcs for different things, so to each his own. Dual Core it is then! Now to decide on a motherboard

Thanks for your help!

Al