A question

[TheTerminator2004]

Basically, I was under the impression that my computer had two single-core processors, as DELL were doing a buy one get one free offer. I was just wondering if there was any difference in performance between two single-core CPUs and one dual-core CPU. I wasn't planning to upgrade, at least not yet, but thanks for the warning.

[Vagrant0]

Basically, I was under the impression that my computer had two single-core processors, as DELL were doing a buy one get one free offer. I was just wondering if there was any difference in performance between two single-core CPUs and one dual-core CPU. I wasn't planning to upgrade, at least not yet, but thanks for the warning.

Well, unless someone is aware of something I'm not. The essential difference is what I said in the first post. You can't fit two single core processors on the same motherboard. You would need two seperate motherboards, and would need to take additional steps to get them to talk to eachother. A dual core processor can be used in a single motherboard. As I suggested, a buy 1 get 1 free deal would really only work if you were planning on setting up some servers, or were looking to build two duplicate computers.

 

Going from what you provided, your motherboard only has room for one processor. And if you wanted to still be using the same motherboard, any upgrades would have to fit the same socket. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socket_T (I stand corrected). The socket seems to support dual core processors, but I can't really tell what yours is. If your processor is only .8 to 1.0 ghz, it's likely a single core, or atleast only has 1 core working. If it's a running at around 2 ghz, you probably have a dual core. I don't think they even bothered to make dual core processors for speeds under 1.4 ghz.

I'm not an expert on hardware, so maybe Iambatosai can provide more answers.

[IamBatosai]

2 Processors on one motherboard is quite possible. They even have 4 processor motherboards. (Example) However, these were made for servers and as far as I know they are only compatible with windows server edition. Or another server OS. I may be wrong though.

 

Theory:

 

I'm not 100% sure if this is correct but I'll say it anyway. A dual-core system has one set of RAM. While multi-processor systems have sets of RAM for each processor. So effectively, a dual-core is two processors in one, feeding off of only one set of RAM. While on a multi-processor system (for example 2 processors) each one has it's own set of RAM. Thus each one can have large amounts of RAM, while the dual-core has to share with both cores. More RAM equals faster data transfer. However, dual-cores processors have better architecture. This means more efficient data transfer.

 

So, in conclusion, I'd say they are about the same. However, a dual-core takes up less space and less power.

 

 

Perhaps Vargrant0 or Marxist male without a father could come prove or disprove my theory.

 

P.S. I must say, (in all modesty) not bad for a 14 year old teenager huh? :rolleyes:

[TheTerminator2004]

Well, if that is the case, and I don't have two processors, then it looks like I have been badly mislead by someone- either DELL, or my mum, who was the one who ordered the computer. Oh well... at least it's hyperthreading, which is almost like dual core. It has 'Enhanced Speedstep technology' too, whatever that means.

 

Hey, that just gave me an idea! I have an old computer lying around somewhere which is so old it's not really worth using anymore, maybe I could use it to set up a render farm... I know how to do it in Linux, but I'll have to do a bit of research to see if it's worth doing in Windows (there's no point if I'm only going to be using Linux, as I don't play games on it). Should be fun, even if it's not possible :)

 

And yes, that was pretty impressive Batosai, maybe some time in the distant future, when everyone makes games for Linux (which would count as a server OS), I might get one of those multi-processor motherboards :P