Hey I have a question on dual core CPUs. A lot of computer games have specs still don't cover dual core under the system requirements.
So when I buy a PC game, especally a older one, sometimes it is hard for me to decide if I can play it or not. How do I figure this out?
I have a dual core Pentium 1.73GHZ system. Now, how can I compare that to games that ask for a P4? How can I compare that to system requirements when looking at the back of the box?
ID:277870
 Jun 11 2008, 10:17 am
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Jun 11 2008, 10:54 am
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Falacy
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Usualy the processor is the least important part of the hardware when it comes to running a game. But if the game is old enough that it doesnt cover dual cores, you can go ahead and assume that a dual core can run it
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The two potential problems you may run into are games running too slow, or games running too quickly. In most cases manually setting the processor affinity to 1/all cores resolves it.
Otherwise just ask before you buy it, make sure to note the salespersons name and a general description, so if you can't get it to work you can take it back and say "[Name] assured me that it would run with X-core processors". | |
A multi-cored machine is still able to play single-threaded games and applications; the games will just pick a core and run on it.
Newer games, like the updated Valve Source Engine (HL2, TF2, etc), and the Unreal Tournament 3 engine, take full advantage of multiple cores and will utilize them for play. If a game asks for a Pentium 4, it's usually a safe bet that anything dual-core from either AMD or Intel made in the past two or so years will be fine. [EDIT] Certain games FREAK OUT with multiple cores, but most all have been patched/hacked into working correctly nowadays. I have no encountered anything I cannot run correctly due to multiple cores. ~Kujila | |