Dual or quad core processor?

Question

I am about to upgrade my system again (been upgrading it constantly for 13 years, all the way from a 386 SX/16!)  I'm a very experienced hardware and programming professional, but I'm behind the times on current hardware technology, because I've been doing mainly programming and teaching the past few years.

I'm curious about how I should rate multi-core processors in the first place.  I have an AMD 3400+ single core processor, and I'm a bit confused about how to calculate processor speeds relative to each other when comparing processors with a different number of cores.

Is it a straight up multiplication?  Like a dual core 2000mhz is like a single core 4000mhz?  Is it not that straight forward?  How do they compare?

Links to articles describing the differences and how to compare would be great (like tomshardware.com or something).

I'm also debating on whether I should get a dual core, or if it's worth it at this point to go with a quad core... What kind of cooling requirements do each of these types have, and is it worth the extra expense to go quad at this point?

For example, I'm looking at this dual core and thinking it's a good deal at $57:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103255

Compare that to this quad core at $120:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103244

So about twice the price, but is it really twice the processing power?

I don't like to upgrade too often, and I like to make as big of a jump as possible at once, but without getting in to that "top of the line so it costs 4x as much as it will in a year" area.

I have a saved wish list with both CPUs on it just for my own sake of "bookmarking" them in a way... 

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=9631392

I'm looking at either $175 for the dual core package, or about $250 for the quad core package.  I'm thinking the quad core package is worth the extra money, but I want to make sure I'm not spending more when I shouldn't be.

Stefy · Accepted Answer

well,as the Cpu's developed so did softwares.By theory a dual core is indeed twice the processing power of a single core.
And a quad twice of a dual core.
However not every software is optimized(knows how to use quad's,almost every software uses dual/single perfectly).
That is especially the case of games.Often it is recommended to get a 3.0ghz dual core rather than a 2.4 quad for games.

However it is considered that quad's are better for other softwares,especially when you need raw power.Like 3d modeling/rendering

If you want a faster PC and are not interested in gaming,definitely go for a quad.Also duals are getting a bit old.

Comparing the first 2 links I think it is really worth the money to get the quad.Again:The power is twice but not always used totally
and it is not the top of the line.the top is the core i7 from intel.

I can't access that wish list without your password.

Maybe I exaggerated about optimized software for quad.Don't get me wrong.90% softwares use quad.50% games use quad.(and it's like you have a 2.3 ghz dual when you play the game)

DEfinitely get a quad over a dual.Everything will work much faster and you will really feel the difference.

And even if you are a gamer,it is very debated if get a quad or dual

edit:btw you would need about 2gb ram today ore more in case you are not up to date with that info.

bam_m13245 · Answer

The first assumption to get out of the way is that a dual-core is NOT twice the speed of an equivalent single core. If two horses that can run at 15km/h are pulling a cart, and are compared to one horse of equal speed that is also pulling a cart, do the two horses run at 30km/h? No. The processor would not run at 4GHz, it would be two 2GHz processors that can run at the same time, and process more things together.

A quad-core vs a fast dual core may make the computer appear slower with a quad. With a 3.2 GHz dual core vs a 2.4 GHz quad, the dual will handle most common tasks faster. But that is because they are single threaded and only utilise one core, and the faster the core, the faster the computer. But in multithreaded applications,and while multitasking, the quad will start to shine. 

Applications are being written nowadays to utilise multiple cores, so a quad core is definitely a better investment. Most of the upcoming games utilise 4 cores also. If you don't upgrade often, a quad core will be a much more longer lasting product than a dual-core. 

But in reality, it really comes down to which cpu you are going to use. The 9600 Phenom is one of, if not the worst quad core CPU available. If you are going to go AMD, I would get the 125W 9950, or an Intel Q6600. They are about the same price and speed, but possibly a bit over your budget. They are also better than any AMD dual core on the market today. Anything less than a 9950 is a bit weak, and you may as well invest in a fast dual-core, that would be cheaper, but not as long lasting.

TF2 and WoW don't utilise all 4 cores, and you wont see an advantage from dual to quad. But if you ever see a new game you like, e.g. Crysis, Far Cry 2, COD 4/5, et cetera, quad would be better. You will see huge increases going from single, to dual, to quad in those games.

Anonymous · Answer

well i was trying to figure that out as well but from what ive heard it really depends on what kinda cpu taxing programs you will be running. at the moment there are not many programs that can tap on quad processors full capacity and it most cases a fast dual core would be better (unless of course your overclocking the quad core) Anyways presently dual core would probably be more useful however the future is probably in quad cores and already slowly more and more programs are been made to make better use of quad core. So if you wanna plan for the future go quad core and get a decent cooler and power supply so you can overclock it for super speed. Problem with more dual cores +3ghz is that they heat up a lot...... and arent great for overclocking...... hope this helped

Anonymous · Answer

Games That Use Quad Core

John C · Answer

newegg even now sells an x3 core, cpu which is actually a quad core cpu that had a bad chip before finalization, and they can sell it at a reduced cost,,

its better than a dual core but not a quad core

alot of games need dual or better but sometimes do not use all 4 cores in applications

the third may only be used , which is where this may come in handy

just something to check on too

Dual or quad core processor?

5 Answers