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Which is Better, Dual Processor or Dual Core

With the advent of dual core processors, dual processor systems are now taking a back seat in the high end home market.

But is this right? Is dual core always the answer? Which system gives more bang for the buck? What about quad core?

All good questions that has to have the end user scratching his head. Hopefully I can answer some of these questions

for you and help you decide before that next big purchase.

What is Dual Core / Dual Processors

Just to clarify what we are talking about here, just in case you're not totally sure. Dual processor systems actually have

two physical processors, each in their own socket, residing on the same Mobo. Maybe the 2nd processor resides on an

expansion card. Regardless of implementation, the system has two physical cpu's. Dual core systems have one physical

cpu residing in one socket on the Mobo. But this special cpu contains essentially two separate cpu's within its substrate.

Each cpu has it's own cache, each with an independent interface to the frontside bus and operates independently, as

viewed via the task manager's performance graphs. Multi-core is similar to dual-core in that it is an expansion to the

dual-core technology which allows for more than two separate processors.

Threading

Before going into the benefits and drawbacks of dual-core or multiple processors, it is important to understand the

concept of threading. A thread is simply a single stream of data through the processor on the system. Each application

generates its own or multiple threads depending upon how it is running. With current multitasking, a processor can only

handle a single thread at a time, so the system rapidly switches between the threads to process the data in a seemingly

concurrent manner. The benefit of having multiple processors is that the system can handle more than one thread. Each

processor can handle a separate stream of data. This greatly increases the performance of a system that is running

concurrent applications such as a server. While the concept of multiple processors sounds very appealing, there is a

major caveat to this ability. In order for the true benefits of the multiple processors to be seen, the software that is

running on the computer must be written to support multithreading. Without the software supporting such a feature,

threads will be primarily run through a single processor thus degrading the efficiency.

Thankfully, MOST of the major current operating systems have multithreading capability. But the multithreading must also

be written into the application software. Most of the applications that the average user runs currently do not have this.

As a result, any speed benefits will solely be from the operating system being able to separate applications between

the processors.

Some additional comments:

 How does a computer know when to use each core. There is a part of the Windows operating system called the

'scheduler' which tells the CPU what program to be running at any given time. This allows several programs to run at

the same time, while the processor switches back and forth between them as needed. If a dual-core processor is

present, the scheduler suddenly has twice as much CPU resources to work with, as opposed to a single cpu system

This would allow for things like being able to run one core specifically for a game, while using the other core to do

"background" things that keep the rest of the system running. Sometimes both cores can even work on the same

program (if it is designed to take advantage of more than one core - this is called being "multi-threaded"). However,

it is important to note that if you are running a single program and it is not "multi-threaded", you will not see a

benefit from more than one CPU or core.

OK, Finally, Is Dual Core For You

Obviously anyone interesting in gaming, video editing, or just being able to run multiple applications all at one time w/o

feeling like their PC has taken a valium is a candidate for a multiple processor system. Traditionally we always sided with

a faster cpu for such purposes, which gave us the appearance of a system capable of handling all these tasks. Now with

multiple processor systems we enjoy true multitasking like it was meant to be. No longer are you relegated to one

intense task at a time. You can edit your videos in the background while you play your favorite mp3's and surf the web

all at the same time. It's been the best performance boost I've ever experienced in all my years of working with computers.

I'm loving it. So if you don't already own a multiple processor system you should really consider upgrading. It'll be worth

it. I guarantee it. But which one? It all comes down to price as always.

Price and Performance

Let's talk more about price. Having a dual processor system, and Mobo which can handle two processors, is more

expensive. You actually have to buy two cpu's, two fans, a special Mobo, larger power supply, and consume more power

and as a byproduct generate more heat. But is it worth it? Well video systems used in businesses do prefer to go this

route. I work in the medical field and I can tell you that multiple processor systems are the standard for all high end video

work station systems. But here's the most interesting fact of all. When two identical systems, differing only in the type of cpu

employed, (dual core or dual processor) the benchmark tests reveal that the dual processor systems are only slightly better

than dual core systems. There wasn't enough difference to make the purchase worth it in my eyes, as a home user.

This one fact alone made it a no brainer for me. Less expensive all around the board with comparable power. What else

could you ask for. So the long awaited answer is, Dual Core gives you more bang for the buck.

Final Thoughts

Most systems from the moderate to high end side will be sold in the future with dual core cpu's. Single processor systems

will always be around for the low end PCs used strictly for surfin and emails. These single processor units are going the way

of the vcr. A disposable item not worth the cost to fix it. Dual core PCs, as well as quad and even more cpu's, are the future.

We just have to start keeping our eyes peeled for the apps that can really take advantage of this technology. They have

some catching up to do.

Hope this was informative

GEGeek