a dual core processor over a single core?

a dual core processor over a single core?

1. Advantages

   • Dual-core processors tend to have better performance than single-core processors. Dual-core processors are able to divide information for processing by multiple units. The performance boost is most noticeable when running more than one process at once. A computer's processor has to briefly stop when it switches between difference processes, or threads, which causes a dip in performance. Dual-core processors have to switch between different threads less often than single-core processors because they can handle two at once instead of one at a time. Some processors are able to do something called "hyper-threading," which allows the processor to behave like it can handle two threads at once. However, the processor's clock speed -- the speed at which it can process tasks -- does not increase with hyper threading.

2. Disadvantages

   • Single-core CPUs usually lose in performance comparisons against dual-core CPUs. However, a single-core CPU can outperform a dual-core CPU when the CPU has a significantly greater clock speed, which is measured in gigahertz, or GHz. A 3.8 GHz single-core processor will outperform a 1.8 GHZ dual-core processor when processing a single task. Additionally, some programs are not designed to run on more than one core, so a 3.8 GHz single-core processor will run that particular program faster than a 3.2 GHz dual-core processor. Running a program that is only able to use one core at a time on a dual-core processor is like only being able to use four cylinders on an eight-cylinder engine car: You get half the performance. Single-core processors can also get better battery life on a mobile device than a dual-core processor because the single-core processor uses less electricity to operate. However, more recently made dual-core processors tend to be more energy efficient than older single-core p