really dumb question.

[JHOOKS]

so i've been hearing about these new dual core processor's, my ?ing is lets say i buy a dual processor right, and its Processor Speed is 3.4Ghz. would i multiple that by two which is 6.8ghz? is that what the dual stands for?

[opentune]

There are no dump questions... only dumb answers... so here is my answer:

No, the word "dual" doesn´t mean it doubles the processors frequency.
It just means that the CPU is...uhm...kinda maximized.

A dual core CPU is capable of working on more threads at the same time
(like the moderators on this forum ), so there´s more efficiency.
But it´s definitely not comparable to a dual CPU system.

Consider this as first aid - not as a pro´s explanation. I´m just not able
to explain this in english. Anyway, hope this helps...

[manning1]

hooks...
think of it like this inlaymans terms.
imagine a factory with one person and a pile of work piling up in the in tray like customer questions to be answered. its gonna take a while for the one worker to get through the in tray. whereas with two workers the in tray can be "processed" faster. because they SHARE the work. with 4 workers shareing the load of work even better and with 8 workers even better.
a bit of a crude example but akin to dual quad and coming octo (eight) or even more processors. ie...more hands to spread out the work load.

[JHOOKS]

hmmmm.. were is the light at the end of the tunnel... I think I need to read this one more. so bascially its like a humming bird on speed!

[manning1]

hooks...
let me share something with you.
there is a basic reason the computer industry is going to multiple cores...viz...
the chip engineers are coming up against basic laws of physics with single processors based on silicon technology. In summary they are haveing problems trying to ramp up the processing power and speeds of single processorsto to ever higher ghz. because other factors are coming into play.
a processor is nothing but a bunch of transistors simplistically on a chip all crammed in. so to get more power for processing over the past few years more and more transistors have been crammed in. but like anything ...there is a limit.
just like your tummy can only cram in so much food in a limited space before you have a knipsch fit....lol. therefore multiple processors (or tummys lol) solves the problem.

[JHOOKS]

Originally Posted by manning1

hooks...
let me share something with you.
there is a basic reason the computer industry is going to multiple cores...viz...
the chip engineers are coming up against basic laws of physics with single processors based on silicon technology. In summary they are haveing problems trying to ramp up the processing power and speeds of single processorsto to ever higher ghz. because other factors are coming into play.
a processor is nothing but a bunch of transistors simplistically on a chip all crammed in. so to get more power for processing over the past few years more and more transistors have been crammed in. but like anything ...there is a limit.
just like your tummy can only cram in so much food in a limited space before you have a knipsch fit....lol. therefore multiple processors (or tummys lol) solves the problem.

ok. im seeing alil light now.so basically its a bunch of transistors packed in the processor to maximize the 3.4 ghz. not doubling! so what about the new g5 quadz? im only asking because im thinking of an upgrade in the near fulture.

[theblue1]

Just keep in mind that not only do dual processors not necessarily get twice as much work done in a given period -- but different dual processor architectures can have very different 'boosts' for different apps (over 'similar' single processors).

For instance, putting two processor chips together in older machines often provided only a moderate boost in performance, sometimes as little as 5-10% (and sometimes they could actually be slower at some tasks).

Newer chips are integrating two 'core' processors on one base (die) which can allow the designers to optimize communication and task hand-offs.

And the newest designs like the Intel Core Duo chips use an L2 cache shared between the two cores that allows them especially fast communication and task hand-offs.

But we're still not talking doubling of performance, by and large.

[norman_nomad]

My dual core AMD 3800+ rocks the DAW world.

The biggest thing I've noticed since the upgrade is my computer has never "locked up". Even when Nuendo is running at 100% it still runs. I believe when one of the cores is working with the DAW, the other is still able to handle the background processes.

Also, I can run an unbelievable amount of plug-ins! Huge jump from my AMD 2400.

[JHOOKS]

so can lets say, nuendo 3 take advantage of the new processor? or are they not compatible yet? also I had a job I worked on recently were they had the new g5 quad, packed with 8gigs of ram, and man was that thing flying!!!!!! I had final cut pro running, doing a batch export of video files, I was encoding some huge video files in flash encoder, I was checking emails. copying mass date onto a server, all at once, and that thing was rock solid! didint skip a beat! this is were my excitement stems from!

[manning1]

hooks...
any audio application should work better.
but be aware of blues correct caveats.
the multitrack software i use certainly does in my tests.
but it all depends how the processor cores are designed.
and the surrounding support architecture and a number of factors as blue indicated.
i personally am waiting for a bit in the hope that multiple core prices drop a bit.
also i dont tend to do humungous trak counts.
with a lot of my friends what i find is if one has lots of reserve power there is a temptation to keep on adding tracks and thus overproduce a song.
once again you should, before contemplating a new system (if this is what your thinking)..write down your performance needs as a user over the nexr few years like max track and plug in counts and any other aspects important to you,
then go out and test systems and see which one more closely meets your needs.
whether amd 64, opterons, or intel duos or macs.
The new intel macs are just seeping into my area.
all ive had a chance so far is to play with one for a minute or two.
but i have to say it looked very nice and responsive. but not had a chance to run performance tests. i'm going to bed now and dream of ....lol...16 processors in a amd pc.

[JHOOKS]

great replies!!! guys! i also had dreams of multiple processors! wouldn't it be great!