dual/multicore processors

[dreleask]

quick question (pretty stupid one too)

when they say that a processor is a 2.1Ghz dual core processor does that mean that it is effectively 4.2Ghz?

 

[binaryknight]

you have two cores at 2.1ghz each making 4.2 in total but remember that an app or game needs to be coded to take advantage of both

 

[dreleask]

ahh ok! thanks

 

[Natima]

Don't think of it as 4.2Ghz. Its more like have two seperate cpu's, both running at 2.1

 

[deusexlumina]

the only case where it would ever be an effective 4.2ghz is video encoding at 100% load on both cores

otherwise its two cpu's at 2.1ghz

unfortunately its become commonplace on a well known auction site to simply add up the core speeds, which is both misleading and untrue in most cases

 

[geuben]

the only case where it would ever be an effective 4.2ghz is video encoding at 100% load on both cores

...

Even that wouldn't be true as both cores have to share the memory which can only be accessed by one core at any one time (well sort of anyway) and other stuff means that there are no situations where you can truly just add up the clock speed.

 

[Gammawolf]

the only case where it would ever be an effective 4.2ghz is video encoding at 100% load on both cores

otherwise its two cpu's at 2.1ghz

unfortunately its become commonplace on a well known auction site to simply add up the core speeds, which is both misleading and untrue in most cases

I got epic p/oed at that site for doing that.