Solved dual core vs single core

[kf10]

is dual core with 1.6GHz faster than a single core of 3.2GHz

or are they equal

and is it possible from within windows to switch off the single core in dual core or more cores

 

[Influx]

Hello kf10,

CPU Frequency is often perceived as the (only) factor in cpu comparison, this is naive and wrong. Megahertz myth - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
We can't tell right away without seeing the detailed specifications of each, as there are more factors affecting the overall quality of a CPU, aside from the number of cores and the CPU Frequency. If both are Intel CPUs, you can have a detailed side-by-side comparison here.

 

[pparks1]

is dual core with 1.6GHz faster than a single core of 3.2GHz

or are they equal

and is it possible from within windows to switch off the single core in dual core or more cores

They are not necessarily equal. There is far more than simply clock speeds to take into account. Each chip has a different architecture, instruction set and amount of memory and that really makes a difference. For example, I happen to own a Q9550 quad core. It runs at 2.83Ghz stock. This chip is a fantastic performing chip and part of that reason is the 12MB of L2 Cache on that chip. Compared to a Q9400 quad core, which runs at 2.66Ghz...it's only got 6MB of L2 cache and that really makes a noticeable difference. It's not so much the 200Mhz clock speed difference between them.

In addition, the software that you are running also makes a difference. If you are running a single threaded application, the 3.2Ghz will be much faster than the dual core 1.6ghz...as you would not be able to really take advantage of the 2nd core with a single threaded application.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Give the actual processors and your intended usage, and we'll tell you which is faster.

 

[amazon]

a single core of 3.2GHz faster than dual core with 1.6GHz.

 

[DeaconFrost]

a single core of 3.2GHz faster than dual core with 1.6GHz.

I would actually beg to differ, but without knowing architectures or intended uses, there's no way to give an answer.

If a vehicle has 300 hp it should be faster than one with 190 hp, right?

My 325xi has 190 hp, and a friend has a huge Nissan Armada with 300 hp (I think he said). My car would blow the doors off his truck in a race. Yet he could tow a lot more than I could. See the difference? You need more info before even venturing a guess.

 

[logicearth]

a single core of 3.2GHz faster than dual core with 1.6GHz.

Don't make such blind assumptions based on numbers. A dual core processor could be faster then a single core processor with a higher clock. It depends greatly on what you run. Windows 7 for example will perform on a dual core processor a lot better.

 

[amazon]

oh ! "It depends greatly on what you run". I think so,too