Dual Core questions

[Toddo97]

I've pretty much decided on the X2 3800+ for my new computer, but have a few dual core q's:

1. I've never OC'd before, but want to try it out a little on this--are dual cores any more difficult or just as hard/easy as singles?
2. If I'm playing a game, is there anything I'll have to do to make sure one core is dedicated to playing while the other one does my background stuff (av, firewall, easysync, etc)?
3. Would an X2 benefit from 2 GB of RAM (instead of the 1GB I'm planning on getting) any more than a single core would?

Thanks!

 

[blackllotus]

1. Dunno whether they are harder or easier, but I did my first overclock on the X2 3800+ I got recently
2. No Windows handles that for you (however I have read that some people are having problems playing SOME games, and have to set affinity to one processor, but all the games which I play have worked fine)
3. I don't know for sure, but I would guess that the answer is no

 

[imported_Kensai]

1. About the same.
2. Windows will automatically regulate everything.
3. 2GB is better for the future. No different from the single cores.

 

[ElTorrente]

Buy one you'll love it, and you'll never go back to single core.

As far as games go - 9 out of 10 work fine, and myself I haven't had any issues at all with games. If there is a problem, there is an x2 patch that will fix it, or you can work around it by simply setting affinity to one of your processers. At any rate, the problems are no big deal and shouldn't keep you from buying one.

 

[Maximilian]

Buy duel Pentium III's theyre better

 

[Toddo97]

Thanks for the replies!

As far as memory goes, is it time to go ahead and get 2x1gb now, or should I get 2x512mb now and another 2x512 in 6months or a year when most apps/games will benefit from the extra ram?

 

[Pabster]

Definitely go with the X2. You won't regret it.

As for the RAM, buy 2GB now if you can swing it. Some titles (BF2 comes to mind) can make nice use of 2GB already.