Single Vs Dual Core Specifically For "Gaming" - Which Is Better?

I've been reading up on Single & Dual core processors for gaming and after all I've read it seems that single core comes out on top because all the processor's power is devoted to ONE thing (gaming in this instance) as opposed to dual core where it divides its power between multiple applications at the same time.

So basically all I want to know is would a powerful single core processor (3.2Ghz) be better for gaming than a dual core processor (2.8Ghz)?


HK

 

If you have other things running besides your game then the single is gonna be slower. Dual core is designed primarily for multitasking. This way you can burn a dvd and load windows updates while doing a full system scan with your antivirus and antispyware all at the same time.....maybe not to that extent but you get the point. The thing about gaming processors is that you need to find a processor that can handle a really big load and stay cool while processing it. If you read Maximum PC then read the article in this months issue about the computer with the core 2 that they overclocked to like 5ghz or something and it was running extremely cool.

Hope this helps.

 

Most games are not yet multi-threaded so they do not benefit from multi-cores. However don't let that stop you from buying a dual core cpu. Intel is currently the performance leader with their new Core 2 Duo processors. Grab one of those and you'll be set for a while. I am currently running a AMD64 3700 and I kick my self every day for not waiting a month for the Core 2 Duo processors. Don't get me wrong, all games run great, but the Core 2 processors are far superior to what AMD has on the market right now.

 

First of all, clock speeds dont immediately equate to better performance. One C2D core at 2.0 GHz will outperform a P4 at 3.0 GHz. Also, at this point in time, almost all games aren't dual core optimised, but that is the next big thing.

Oblivion, Alan Wake, crysis, and soon the Source engine will all support dual core. It would be madness to get a single core for any non-financial reasons, considering the direction games are going is multithreading. A large motive for this as well is the xbox360 and ps3's multithreaded nature, so now game devs are coding in more than one thread.

 

Hopefully, one know that just cause one thinks that single cpus can't handle multiple threads, is alot of FUD.

Take a look at your taskmanager, viewing processes, you'll see a lot of threads dedicated to ONE cpu with ONE core. On my athlon xp 3200+ running vista I have 581 threads running.

More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multithreading

Currently, software have issues, with running multicore cpus. They were programmed during the time of single core cpus. This same issue will arise with 2 cpus in one machine, for these games.

There are a few games out there with patches for multicore cpus. But, one must look, that most game sites, base their scores on multicore cpus. Notice how powerful they are?

 

I say if you're looking for a gaming processor find the fastest cpu that will run at the lowest temperature. Heat is more of an issue than dual core or single core.

 

Unless you're overclocking, the heat problem is solved with the heatsink and fan that comes with the processor. (Separate if oem)

What you really want to look for is a price/performance relationship and then consider things like heat and power consumption.

 

True.....or you could always buy a Zalman cpu fan I guess.

Really you look for all at the same time if you think about it. You find the cpu that can handle the biggest load without a lot of power consumption while running at cool temps. After you drill down into the cpus that fit your "specifications" you take the lowest price. That's how i shop anyways. Shopping for computer parts is confusing sometimes.

HasSank: Tell us what you want to be able to play and how much $$$ you got and we'll
find you the biggest bang for your buck.

 

Of course, one buys a cheaper cpu, then overclocks it, then require a more expensive HSF to cool it.

The HSF I'm looking at getting:

VIGOR GAMING CLT-M2I Thermal Electric CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835702002

 

I just found out today only the source engine runs dual core for gaming but im like how can it better be then single core.How can a 2.13 ghz e6400 intel duo which i own be better than my old 3500 64 bit amd athlon.he said the new designs the way it was built.1 core is still faster than most single,and when vista comes out everything is gonna be multitasking so etc.

 

Yah, need to ignore ghz portion.

I have an athlon xp 3200+ 2.2 ghz. The amd 64 3500+ is also 2.2 ghz. But, the new chip kills mine.

So, in this sense, you can pretty much ignore Ghz, with newer cpus.