So what kinds of benefits will we see from dual-core procs?

[Dman877]

Will dual-core procs just be like hyper-threading P4's on steroids? Or will they have some mechanism on board for dividing tasks and essentially doubling performance in normal non-multi threaded apps? If it turns out that code has to be multi-threaded to take advantage of dual cores, I'm thinking it's gonna be pretty useless to most of us...

 

[zephyrprime]

It'll be just like SMP.

Or will they have some mechanism on board for dividing tasks and essentially doubling performance in normal non-multi threaded apps?.

no

If it turns out that code has to be multi-threaded to take advantage of dual cores

yes

 

[Acanthus]

It will be like SMP, but one subtle thing will be different.

Youre going from 1% or less of home PCs being SMP, to near 100% in the next few years.

Software makers will make changes to make their software SMP aware over the next few years im sure.

And as always multitasking will benefit an enormous amount from dual core.

 

[sandorski]

What I heard: due to efficiencies of design it will be measureably better than SMP. How much wasn't stated.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: sandorski
What I heard: due to efficiencies of design it will be measureably better than SMP. How much wasn't stated.

The number 70% has been thrown around for both AMD and Intel dual core products (as in speed increase in best-case situations).

 

[AnnoyedGrunt]

Given the number of celerons, AXP, and sempron's sold, I have my doubts as to the relative popularity of the Dual Core processor in a couple years. I know that I plan on getting a 939 mobo around december, so hopefully I'll have the option of upgrading the CPU to a dual core version eventually, but even then it probably won't be for quite some time.

Of course, it is always deceptive how fast things change. I just realized that my GF3 Ti 200 is only 2.5 years old, so I guess a large number of changes can occur in a couple years.

-D'oh!

 

[biostud]

I don't think it will do much until software is optimized for Dual processor setups. So for the first 1-2 years after Dual-core has been introduced to the desktop only small gains will be seen (except for multitasking and professionel software). My guess is that game engines first will be optimized for dual processors in 07-08.

 

[vetteguy]

Will each core have Hyperthreading? So if you have a single dual core P4 (or whatever its called by then) installed, will Windows see 4 processors?

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: biostud666
I don't think it will do much until software is optimized for Dual processor setups. So for the first 1-2 years after Dual-core has been introduced to the desktop only small gains will be seen (except for multitasking and professionel software). My guess is that game engines first will be optimized for dual processors in 07-08.

I think that game engines will be optimised in ~3 years too (2007), because currently in development engines are just that, already in development, and probably mostly past the stage of major changes.

Those games being developed on new technology for the future, which take ~3+ years to make (including writing the engine, see Doom 3), will not be out until 2007 at the earliest.

Most game engines that will start development soon will probably be developed with SMP/Dual core in mind, thinking of the future, since they will take 3 years to come to fruition. This means that when their development cycle is over, we will see the proliferation of SMP aware games.
By this time, SMP/dual proc will also be more widespread, helping games which take advantage of such tech.

You can't expect things to suddenly be dual proc optimised straight away, they have to work out their strategies, and what it will be useful for. This takes time, so we won't see an immidiate change, I believe.

 

[Acanthus]

There are a few SMP-Aware titles out now that would see substantial gains if you play them.

I know for sure the Planetside and Star Wars Galaxies engines are both SMP aware.