Processor Question

KoLAddict · 07-06-2007, 09:32 PM

My laptop has two 1.66GHz processors. I was just wondering how powerful that is.

Do two 1.66GHz processors equal the power of 1 3.32GHz processor, or is it weaker? I'm confused as to why a computer would have to weaker processors instead of one stronger one.

**Lead3** · 07-06-2007, 10:06 PM

One reason a computer may use multiple processors is to allow things to run sumultaneously, therfore programs execute faster. Hence the newer dual and quad core processors. These have two or four processor elements on the same chip.

KoLAddict · 07-06-2007, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lead3

One reason a computer may use multiple processors is to allow things to run sumultaneously, therfore programs execute faster. Hence the newer dual and quad core processors. These have two or four processor elements on the same chip.

Ok thanks. But what if I'm running just one program, such as a PC game? Will 2 1.66GHz processors be capable of running a program that requires 3GHz processing speed?

**Lead3** · 07-06-2007, 10:35 PM

That is hard to say since it depends on how the computer and the software
manufacturers designed the system. What model computer is this? I would check with the manufacturer,

KoLAddict · 07-09-2007, 01:59 PM

Guess I'm just confused.

I'm hearing that quad-core processors solely for gaming is a waste, because most games don't utilize 4 processors.

I was under the belief that when you are running one program, the processors helped that one program carry on, so you got faster speeds.

Was that assumption wrong?

**Lead3** · 07-09-2007, 02:54 PM

You are correct. Today most games may not but in the future. It is true that multi processors can make a program run faster it just depends on how the system is architectured.

KoLAddict · 07-09-2007, 02:55 PM

Ok cool. So, for now, gaming it'd be better to go for a good duo than a quad. Thanks:)

07-06-2007, 09:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
KoLAddict Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 454 OS: XP	Processor Question My laptop has two 1.66GHz processors. I was just wondering how powerful that is. Do two 1.66GHz processors equal the power of 1 3.32GHz processor, or is it weaker? I'm confused as to why a computer would have to weaker processors instead of one stronger one.

07-06-2007, 10:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lead3 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 1,378 OS: 98SE,2000,XP SP3,VISTA SP2 x64 & x86, Windows 7 x64 & x86 My System	Re: Processor Question One reason a computer may use multiple processors is to allow things to run sumultaneously, therfore programs execute faster. Hence the newer dual and quad core processors. These have two or four processor elements on the same chip. __________________

07-06-2007, 10:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lead3 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 1,378 OS: 98SE,2000,XP SP3,VISTA SP2 x64 & x86, Windows 7 x64 & x86 My System	Re: Processor Question That is hard to say since it depends on how the computer and the software manufacturers designed the system. What model computer is this? I would check with the manufacturer, __________________

07-09-2007, 01:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
KoLAddict Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 454 OS: XP	Re: Processor Question Guess I'm just confused. I'm hearing that quad-core processors solely for gaming is a waste, because most games don't utilize 4 processors. I was under the belief that when you are running one program, the processors helped that one program carry on, so you got faster speeds. Was that assumption wrong?

07-09-2007, 02:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
Lead3 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 1,378 OS: 98SE,2000,XP SP3,VISTA SP2 x64 & x86, Windows 7 x64 & x86 My System	Re: Processor Question You are correct. Today most games may not but in the future. It is true that multi processors can make a program run faster it just depends on how the system is architectured. __________________

07-09-2007, 02:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
KoLAddict Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 454 OS: XP	Re: Processor Question Ok cool. So, for now, gaming it'd be better to go for a good duo than a quad. Thanks:)