can someone pls explain to me how multicore processors work?

[Adrian]

the thing is this ok you have a 4 core processor of 4000 ghz ok now if you play a game that does not support multithreading how is the game is gonna with only one core so how much power that one core is gonna have 1000? is a high end singlecor processor better on that game?

[sapi]

Well, taking that as a hypothetical example (as there obviously aren't any 4000ghz cpus around), things would work like this:

In a true multi-threaded game, of which there are very few, each core would be occupied with one section of the necessary processing (AI, world events, etc). On a similar note, multi-threaded apps, such as those used for video editing, will split up your task into smaller pieces that can be handled by each core simultaneously.

While using a game/program without multi-threading, only one core will do any work for that process (though the others will pick up the background processes and thus lead to a slight speed increase). CPUs are marketed based on the speed of each individual core, so the hypothetical 4000ghz, 4 core CPU would have 4 cores of 4000ghz each, not 4 cores of 1000ghz.

It is very, very rare (practically non-existent these days) for a single-core processor to be necessary to run a game; though obviously they'll be better at that price point.

Oh, and there are no true quad core CPUs out as yet; the Intel one is simply two core 2s printed onto a single die; there is no unified cache and thus increased overhead.

The sweet spot is currently at dual core, and I can't really see any need to buy anything except that.

[Adrian]

thanks for the reply you cleared mi problem now i understand how it works

[drak10687]

You should also note though that the "speed", ie. Ghz of a processor does not necessarily give an indication of how powerful it is. It is one way to compare CPUs of the same type, such as one core 2 duo to another... however, you cannot compare different types of CPUs (eg: core 2 duo to a pentium 4) simply by looking at Ghz as there are other factors involved.

[sapi]

You should also note though that the "speed", ie. Ghz of a processor does not necessarily give an indication of how powerful it is. It is one way to compare CPUs of the same type, such as one core 2 duo to another... however, you cannot compare different types of CPUs (eg: core 2 duo to a pentium 4) simply by looking at Ghz as there are other factors involved.

Yeah. Dealing with the current versions of stuff from Intel and AMD/ATI, the general consensus is that the Core 2 chips are better value for money than the Athlon 64s, at this point in time.

[Shaun]

Simetrical does a good job of explaining some of how it works here. However, I am sure he will see this thread and explain it to you.

It is very, very rare (practically non-existent these days) for a single-core processor to be necessary to run a game; though obviously they'll be better at that price point.

And even games that do require a single core CPU to work (like Theif 2) can be made to run on dual core by going to Task Manager>Processes>select the game process>Set affinity and untick either CPU 0 or CPU 1.