dual core compared to single core cpu's

[willfish19]

i have a laptop with a AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3800+ running at 2.4 GHz with 512 kb of cache and was thinking of upgrading it to a dual core processor. i was just wondering what speed of dual core processor would be comparable to my current processor so that i can be sure that i am going up and not down an the power scale. the most common processor replacement for my computer i have found seems to be the AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ dual core running at 2.0GHz with 2x 512Kb cache. i would think that this one would be faster but i really want to get something that will be able to handle the future upgrade to windows vista ultimate and 2 gb of ram (currently 1 gb of ram). thanks.

 

[willfish19]

also when i look at the speed is it multiplied by 2 (2 GHz x 2 = 4GHz) or is each core half of the advertised speed (2GHz = 2 x 1 GHz)

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: willfish19
also when i look at the speed is it multiplied by 2 (2 GHz x 2 = 4GHz) or is each core half of the advertised speed (2GHz = 2 x 1 GHz)

No, it's rated at the actual clock speed. So the 2.0Ghz X2 3800+ runs both cores at 2.0Ghz. You get slightly less than double the work out of a dual-core, if you have software that is optimized for multiple cores.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

How can you upgrade the proc on a laptop?

 

[Bateluer]

Edit - Nm

 

[sutahz]

Dual core computers seem to run smoother, more responsive. If an application only runs on 1 core, then it will be slower on the 2GHz X2, but if your single core latop is doing a few things at once, then the dual core running 400MHz (~20%) slower will actually process everything faster.
the X2 3800+ 2.0GHz has 2 cores each running at 2GHz. its not called a X2 4000+ because dual core on single die doesn't double your performance power, but comes close at times.

 

[willfish19]

how can you tell if a program will use both cores or will only use 1. also should i also really look into getting the biggest cache size that i can as well.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Originally posted by: BlueAcolyte
How can you upgrade the proc on a laptop?

From what I've read, this is either difficult or impossible on most laptops.

@OP - you don't need to go to dual core just to run Vista. Unless you are a major multi-tasker or you have more powerful programs to run now, single core is still ok.

Upgrading to 2GB Ram will definitely help, and should be easy enough to do.

 

[Marty502]

InflatableBuddha is correct. I've seen Vista on single core laptops, and as long as it has a healthy amount of RAM (at least 1.5 GB) it will be alright.

So you're better expanding your RAM. That processor will be fine.

 

[willfish19]

what makes it so difficult or impossible to upgrade the processor on a laptop. i mean the processor is under the key board. it is relatively easy to get to and from the the way thing look in the manual it is relatively easy to take out. is it something related to the software side of the upgrade (BIOS) or something. by the way how do you go about upgrading the BIOS is the upgrade included with the processor, do you have to download it, or is it contained on the processor. i am just trying to get as much info before i get all the parts and do the upgrades.

 

[willfish19]

well the computers that i have seen on vista all seem to be slower than my computer with comparable specs. and i will be upgrading to vista ULTIMATE which will be a power hungry b!@#h from what i have read. the reason i will be upgrading to it is because my college offers it as a free download to students, which is the least they could do for the kind of money they charge for tuition. if i am going to do the ram upgrade then i may as well do the processor to and get more up to date.

 

[angry hampster]

It's not going to work.

 

[willfish19]

whats not going to work. the cpu swap. if it wont work please give a solid reason it wont work instead of saying it wont work

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: willfish19
whats not going to work. the cpu swap. if it wont work please give a solid reason it wont work instead of saying it wont work

bios...laptops, w/ the exception of ram, hdd and otpical drive are pretty much non upgradeable. plus you may have a heat issue on top of it all.

why even switch to vista if you don't need it? doesn't sound free if you need to spend the $$$ on a new processor and ram just to use software that "looks" like mac or linux....

 

[willfish19]

i have a copy of linux called umbutu or something on a cd and was thinking about getting an old laptop and putting it on to try it out. what is linux like compared to XP.

also i have been cruzing the web doing some research on cpu swaps on laptops and it seem to be about 50/50 saying that you can/cant do the upgrade. there was one guy who said he has done several cpu swaps on laptops but idk. could be lying.

 

[SexyK]

I'm surprised no one has asked... but what make/model laptop do you have?

 

[willfish19]

it is an HP zv6000 laptop. it has a 15.4 in display. 2.4GHz cpu, 1 gb of ram, 80 gb HDD and it has windows XP. have had it for about 2.5 years and other than a problem with the wiring harness for the display, has been a great laptop.