is dual core useless?

[redhatlinux]

Applications are NOT dual core per se. They have to written as multi-threaded, just to get the terminology correct. Some applications are easily converted to multi-threading, others are not. As a general rule of thumb from multi-processors back in the main frame days. Two processors give about 1.6 to 1.7 times the throughput of a single processor, providing the i/o is capable of 'feeding' the second cpu. I effectively split a dual cpu mainframe into 2 singles, each with plenty of i/o and pretty much got the equivalent of 2 cpu's. This is a rare condition. Look for an architecture with the highest i/o throughput to gain the most. (read AMD hyper-transport). Signal processor traffic can slow down the entire system by about 10% if its heavy enough. BTW Hitachi made a 4 cpu system and the performance was pretty poor. The OS spends too much time with the 'balls in the air', instead of actually processing applications. Scientific apps with massive arrays of data get closer to 1.8 - 1.9 the single processor speeds.

 

[natto fire]

Originally posted by: khicon
I have a friend disagreeing with me that dual core are useless. I will paste his comment here and you guyz out there can be the judge.

"none of the software out or coming out (vista) uses dual core
your better off getting 64 bit and preparing for the future
or getting a petium with hyperthreading"

"...but it won't really be used to its full potential for atleast a few years
and knowing how much technology changes in a year
the processor will most likely be out dated"

here we talking about how dual core OC with single core.

"... its actually degrades performance, since it doesn't clock as high"

I told him that not all cpu are made to be the same and not all cpu can be clock the same dual core or not. he seem to disagree with me.

Any comment or inputs is welcome... the more the merrier. I would like to know as much as I can. Pls give links to prove ur point if possible. Thank you.

I don't know what to add that hasn't already been said above. You need to have your friend read up on SMP systems. Making blanket statements about computers is retarted because they have so many uses. i.e. I could assume he is 'Dell Jockey' that just uses a computer to check email, browse the web, maybe play a few games, but this would still be an assumption, and not knowing for sure , be incorrect. Basically, multi-core systems have existed for a long time, although 2 cores on one package is fairly new. They are not useless. Just because software developers have not gotten around to writing parallelism into their software for Joe Sixpack, and it will happen eventually, does not mean dual core is useless. Heck just peg both cores with distributed computing and voila!, a use for dual core. Please refer your friend to this thread, there are a lot of knowledgeable people around here, and his statement to pick pseudo dual-core(hyperthreading) over true dual-core just leads me to believe he gets most of his 'info' from marketing. The last thing we need is another marketing tool spouting off things as fact to influence someones purchase decision because they "heard it from someone, who heard it from someone, who saw it on TV". Because that is essentially being a billboard for a company, only you aren't getting paid, just looking like a fool.

 

[Markbnj]

Yes, dual core is utterly useless. Nobody (that I play in Battlefield 2) should buy a dual core cpu.

Thank you for your time.

 

[imported_iliosis]

Originally posted by: Markbnj
Yes, dual core is utterly useless. Nobody (that I play in Battlefield 2) should buy a dual core cpu.

Thank you for your time.

Thats funny because u own one...., I am just waiting until M2 socket comes about...and until mid-range cards from 7xxx serious come out...then I'll probly upgrade from my baton 2500+ @ 2.2

 

[harobikes333]

I wish my computer was good enough so that I could wait>_<

 

[gnumantsc]

Originally posted by: khicon
DaveSimmons, thansk... I did told him that X2_DUAL CORE_IS 64 BITS. I even show him the proof. The statement you just give is almost what I give to him. that's where the second quote of his come from. I'll quote it again.

...but it won't really be used to its full potential for atleast a few years
and knowing how much technology changes in a year
the processor will most likely be out dated

In terms of Vista that is somewhat true. Linux can truly take advantage of it since it is compiled for the cores of the CPU and you would see a better performance compared to Vista.

Intel Dual Core is just garbage and shouldn't even be thought of since its 2 cores of the same cpu "glued" to make a dual core.