CPU Dual Core Question not Problem for Gaming

[liards]

I want to play some of the more demanding games out there and right now I have an AMD Sempron 3400+ running at about 2ghz. So I have no hope of playing COD4 or Crysis?...even with a geferce 9600gt oc?

So if I upgrade to an AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000 3ghz almost certainly I should be able to play all the more demanding games. But soon some games' minimum requirements will be over 3ghz, so does this mean this CPU wont be able to play games that demanding?

Also does the dual core mean that it's actually running at 6ghz?

[krskipp]

Right you're clearly confused about minimum specs and what they actually mean. Crysis requires a 2.8Ghz processor with windows XP or a 3.2 Ghz processor if you've got Vista. This refers to a Pentium 4 processor running at those speeds....your processor is fast enough on both counts. An AMD 3400+ is (roughly) equivalent to a 3.4 Ghz P4 and I'm playing both the games you mention with an overclocked 9600GT graphics card, with those and all my other games maxed out (except crysis). I do have a faster processor obviously but you should be fine with what you've got.

Dual core and quad core doesn't mean it's running at 2 or 4 times the quoted clock speed. As I said the clock speeds refer to a pentium 4 unless it specifically says otherwise. No massive need to upgrade as long as you're happy with turning setttings down a bit. Medium settings should work on most games quite happily.

[krskipp]

just noticed you've got Windows 98 listed as your operating system.....now that IS a problem. You won't be able to play the games you've mentioned with windows 98 (probably....haven't tried but I'd be surprised if they did work). So you'll probably want to upgrade to XP. Don't go getting Vista since, as you've seen above in the minimum spec lists, it just slows your games down unless you've got a dual core processor. Oh and I might have slightly exaggerated....the 3400+ processor is probably only equivalent to a 3.2 P4, still enough for most games as long as you get XP installed.

[liards]

Oh sorry, I forgot to update my profile. I'm running xp pro sp2.

You say that the 3400 is equivalent to a 3.4 or 3.2. I've read some articles saying that it's more like a 1.8 to 2.0 and system properties says that it's a 3400+ 1.99ghz. So when trying to figure out if my system meets minimum requirements should I be looking at the 3400 or the 1.99ghz?

[Laurie52]

You can always go to the "Can You Run It?" website. It's a legit site that will scan your system (after you choose a game from a list) to see if your machine meets the minimum and/or recommended game specs.

[krskipp]

Originally Posted by liards

Oh sorry, I forgot to update my profile. I'm running xp pro sp2.

You say that the 3400 is equivalent to a 3.4 or 3.2. I've read some articles saying that it's more like a 1.8 to 2.0 and system properties says that it's a 3400+ 1.99ghz. So when trying to figure out if my system meets minimum requirements should I be looking at the 3400 or the 1.99ghz?

Yes I know your processor is ACTUALLY running at 1.99 Ghz or whatever it is but the processor is much more competent than a Pentium processor of the same speed. Prior to Intel releasing the Dual core processors AMD were the CPU manufacturer of choice. My old computer was an Athlon XP 2200+ which ran at 1.8 Ghz but was running at more or less the speed of a P4 2.2 Ghz. Your Sempron 3400+ is basically a rebadged Athlon XP3400+, which is much better than my old computer so is clearly much better than a P4 2.2 Ghz(which my computer matched on games). You're probably equivalent to a P4 3.2Ghz.

My current computer is a Q6700 which runs at 2.66 GHz - this is less than the 2.8Ghz that Crysis requires but clearly my quad core processor is far above a P4 2.8Ghz. It's not the Ghz - it's what you do with it that counts :-) Your Processor is capable of running both COD4 and Crysis, the latter will probably be on minimum settings but others should run on Medium settings quite happily since your Graphics Card is decent. As the other poster said you can go to the website they mentioned and it'll scan your system and tell you how you'll do on a particular game. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised so long as you're happy with lowering settings to low/medium

[krskipp]

I've just checked the back of my COD4 box and it clearly states you need a Pentium4 2.4 Ghz or an Athlon 2800+. So there you have it you're definitely OK for that one.

[liards]

Ok great, thanks for all the help and the link was useful. Seems I meet all the minimum requirements accept in one area...Sempron doesn't seem to be compatible with COD4 even though the processor speed is fast enough...looks like it's time for an upgrade. Unless I upgrade my board I must use a socket 939 cpu so it looks like the Athlon x2 6000+ is out of the question. It looks like the best compatable x2 is the 4800+ 2400. Is there a better 939 out there than this and also would this cpu be compatable with future games demanding at least 4.8ghz speed?

[FreoHeaveho]

Originally Posted by Laurie52

You can always go to the "Can You Run It?" website. It's a legit site that will scan your system (after you choose a game from a list) to see if your machine meets the minimum and/or recommended game specs.

[krskipp]

Originally Posted by liards

Ok great, thanks for all the help and the link was useful. Seems I meet all the minimum requirements accept in one area...Sempron doesn't seem to be compatible with COD4 even though the processor speed is fast enough...looks like it's time for an upgrade. Unless I upgrade my board I must use a socket 939 cpu so it looks like the Athlon x2 6000+ is out of the question. It looks like the best compatable x2 is the 4800+ 2400. Is there a better 939 out there than this and also would this cpu be compatable with future games demanding at least 4.8ghz speed?

It'll run all games which demand at least an athlonx2 4800+; there's no such thing as a 4.8Ghz processor. Intel P4 chips only went to 3.6Ghz I think so the game boxes wont refer to any clock speeds that high. By the time your computer has a problem with a game the minimum specs will be referring directly to your type of processor, so there should be no confusion over speeds and whether you can play a game.

[FreoHeaveho]

Its actually rarely about the CPU, rather the GPU and its ability to handle newer shader models etc. Use Can You Run It and you will get a full system appraisal, rather than simply looking at the CPU name. It very very rarely comes down to the CPU.

[liards]

When I use 'Can You Run It' to see if I can play COD4, it says:

Minimum: Pentium 4 2.4 GHz/ Athlon 64 2800+ (Intel & Athlon 1.8 GHz Dual Core or better supported
You Have: AMD Sempron(tm) Processor 3400+

FAIL: Sorry, your CPU does not meet this minimum requirement. It may be time to purchase a more powerful computer to make your life easier.

Now, is it possible that I can run COD4 but for some reason this site doesn't acknowledge that?

[krskipp]

Originally Posted by liards

When I use 'Can You Run It' to see if I can play COD4, it says:

Minimum: Pentium 4 2.4 GHz/ Athlon 64 2800+ (Intel & Athlon 1.8 GHz Dual Core or better supported
You Have: AMD Sempron(tm) Processor 3400+

FAIL: Sorry, your CPU does not meet this minimum requirement. It may be time to purchase a more powerful computer to make your life easier.

Now, is it possible that I can run COD4 but for some reason this site doesn't acknowledge that?

There's absolutely no reason I can think of that your processor should have a problem, the game doesn't require 64 bit processors, not least because the P4 (which does work) isn't a 64 bit processor. I think it's just literally taken the fact that your processor is the model below an Athlon64 as evidence it's insufficient. Game manufacturers quite often don't test them properly and don't have time to go through all the different processor and GPU variants.
As I said A sempron is basically a rebadged Athlon XP and the 3400 is above a P4 2.4Ghz as far as I'm concerned. Also if the "Can you run it" software says you're above minimum spec for Crysis then as far as I'm concerned you can run anything. Remember that Crysis requires a 2.8Ghz Pentium 4 processor!! Yet COD4 only requires a 2.4Ghz one. So quite how you can be OK for the former but below the latter is beyond me. It's just that the COD4 makers only looked at athlon64 processors so officially the can you run it software classes your processor as below it.

[krskipp]

I've just checked what it has to say about my computer and although it gives it the OK for COD4 it says I need a 2.4 Ghz processor and have a 2.67Ghz one, and marks me accordingly. It takes no account of the fact that I have a Quad Core processor, although on other games it does and acknowledges that my processor is rated as 5.2Ghz when comparing it to a P4. I'd be interested to see what it had to say if someone with an Intel E6400 Dual core processor (2.13Ghz)ran the checker.....i think it would reject it even though it's clearly good enough. If I were you I'd just go ahead and buy it.

[liards]

Looks like I check out just fine for Crysis. Perhaps you're right, I should just go buy COD4 and see if it runs, I'm feeling confident that it probably will now. If not I will just hang on to it until I can upgrade my cpu. Also, I've heard alot of good things about Crysis, is it worth the buy?

[krskipp]

Originally Posted by liards

Looks like I check out just fine for Crysis. Perhaps you're right, I should just go buy COD4 and see if it runs, I'm feeling confident that it probably will now. If not I will just hang on to it until I can upgrade my cpu. Also, I've heard alot of good things about Crysis, is it worth the buy?

Couldn't get into it. Looked great graphically but it didn't suck me in and I've never picked it up again after playing it for 20 minutes or so. COD4 on the other hand was great. Still play that every now and then. Other people rave about Crysis though, so who knows how you'll feel about it.

[roldog]

Originally Posted by krskipp

I've just checked what it has to say about my computer and although it gives it the OK for COD4 it says I need a 2.4 Ghz processor and have a 2.67Ghz one, and marks me accordingly. It takes no account of the fact that I have a Quad Core processor, although on other games it does and acknowledges that my processor is rated as 5.2Ghz when comparing it to a P4. I'd be interested to see what it had to say if someone with an Intel E6400 Dual core processor (2.13Ghz)ran the checker.....i think it would reject it even though it's clearly good enough. If I were you I'd just go ahead and buy it.

I know this is a little late but i just ran the checker to see if i could play jericho wich requires a 2.4ghz processor on my intel duo core
e4500 2.2ghz and it took everything into account and clocked my system at 4.28ghz when i ran it for cod4 it says i passed though it only clocks me at 2.19 so i think its taking it into account just not displaying the actual clock speed why else would it say pass when 2.19 is obviously not 2.4 lol

[banigashi]

i have a simple question: witch one is better Pentium 4 640 @ 3.2 or Pentium D 820 @2.8