Considering going X2, but what uses it?

[imported_Rampage]

Does Windows use the dual core effectively? Such as, if I task out of a game (I'm assuming a game would use one core by itself), does Windows and the other apps run on the other core?

Is XP good at balancing situations like this?

When are dual core enabled games coming out? And will that kill the multitasking advantage (if there is one) and we'll be back at square one?

Even the upcoming 3800 X2 would be massively powerful, if apps were designed to take advantage of it. Games might not today, but I'm a single core 3200 now, and it will be close in apps that only run in single core mode anyway.

Its amazing how fast dual core got here from both, and 64bit processors for that matter. Finally CPUs are moving ahead a little faster!

 

[ryanv12]

I believe that games based on the Unreal 3 engine (which is multithreaded) are due out be the end of the year.

However, I doubt the multithreaded engines will fully utilize the 2nd core (at least initially), so you should have the multitasking advantage still.

 

[Unkno]

multi-threaded games should be here soon since AMD is beginning to swap the single cores (excluding the FX series) with the double cores

 

[theMan]

also, you can do lots of things at the same time...

 

[BlindBartimaeus]

They will be alot more usefull this time next year. Don't see it as an immediate upgrade need, but something you will definitely want next year when it is time to upgrade. If you are building a server...doit

 

[AkumaX]

can't wait for the 3800+ X2 to come out

 

[BlindBartimaeus]

agreed

 

[n7]

I am assuming XP does a reasonable job of balancing tasks, since even with Hyperthreading, there were still benefits.

I wouldn't buy dual-core for multithreaded appz...those are still years away for most.

But if you like heavy multitasking...then it's the way to go 😀

 

[imported_Rampage]

I wouldnt say Im a heavy multitasker.. but considering they do well in single threaded apps why not go with one?

I do like to task in and out of games like BF2 often, and any other game where i die and have to wait ect.
It would just be nice to not even have to think about whats running and start up a game.. i can leave my word and WMP open ect

 

[Acadien]

Put it this way, you can be ripping a DVD and still have a good framerate in any game out today.

 

[Velk]

Originally posted by: southpawuni
Does Windows use the dual core effectively? Such as, if I task out of a game (I'm assuming a game would use one core by itself), does Windows and the other apps run on the other core?

Yes

Is XP good at balancing situations like this?

No

When are dual core enabled games coming out? And will that kill the multitasking advantage (if there is one) and we'll be back at square one?

Several years for full utilisation of dual core I suspect. Partial utilisation within the next 6-12 months is my guess. Your third question is glass half full - the strict answer is no, as comparing a dual core cpu running a fully dual core game and running other stuff the performance is going to be wildly faster than a single core cpu doing the same thing. As per my first point though, I suspect partial utilisation for a long time to come.